Gallstones

Synonyms in a broader sense

Medical: cholelithiasis gallstones, cholelith, cholecystolithiasis, gallbladder inflammation, bile, liver English. : biliary calculus, biliary stone, cholelith, gallstone

Definition

Gallstones are deposits (concrements) in the gall bladder (cholecystolithiasis) or the bile ducts (choleangiolithiasis). The formation of these gallstones is based on a change in the composition of the bile. There are 2 main forms of gallstones: cholesterol and bilirubin are both substances that are excreted in the bile.

If they are present in excessive amounts in the bile, they precipitate (crystallize) and form stones. From the gallbladder and liver, bile ducts lead to the small intestine, where the bile can perform its intended function in the digestive chain.

Cholesterol-containing stones (approx. 90%)
Bilirubin-containing stones (approx. 10%)
Right lobe of the liver
Left lobe of liver
Gall Bladder

Causes

Among the causes of gallstone disease are The increased incidence of diabetes mellitus is explained by obesity (overweight) and high triglyceride levels (hypertriglyceridemia = high levels of fat in the blood). Triglycerides are water-insoluble energy sources and are among the blood fats. High blood cholesterol levels, on the other hand, have no proven influence on the formation of gallstones.

Overweight (Adiposity)
High fat diet
Pronounced weight loss and
Parenteral nutrition (nutrition via a stomach tube).

Cholesterol stones

Formation of cholesterol stones: Cholesterol can be excreted in the bile up to a level of 500-600 ml GalleTag, provided that it can be bound by sufficient bile acids. However, if the bile is supersaturated with cholesterol (too much cholesterol in the bile) and this remains in the gall bladder longer than usual, this leads to crystallization. Supersaturation can have the following causes:

Increased secretion of cholesterol into the bile
Reduced secretion of bile acids in the bile

Pigment stones

Development of pigment stones:Pigment stones are gallstones containing bilirubin. Bilirubin is formed either by an increased breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis) or by bacterial breakdown, for example in chronic infections of the bile ducts. In both cases, there is an increased amount of bilirubin in the bile fluid, which leads to the formation of stones.