Mysteries of the human body: how gallstones are formed

Among the population of the developed countries of the planet, one of the most urgent problems is the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular, diseases of the gallbladder, which are diagnosed in almost 20% of the population. Harmful factors such as smoking, alcohol and heavy foods, such as fast food, cannot but affect the normal functioning of the intestines. In a large percentage of cases, the gallbladder, which is the first to react to heavy food, copes with significant loads for a long time, but after a while it can "respond" the body with such a pathology as the formation of stones in the gallbladder. Information about how hard stones form from liquid bile and what factors contribute to this is relevant for each person, because gallstone disease can develop in each of us.<

What is bile and why do we need it

Bile is an isotonic fluid similar in composition to blood plasma. More than 80% of bile is water, about 12% is bile acids, 4% is phospholipids, and less than one percent is cholesterol. In addition, components such as proteins, electrolytes, direct bilirubin, and even mucus are present in small amounts in bile. Every day in the body of a healthy person, about half a liter of bile is produced. This fluid performs the following important functions for the body:

emulsifies fats, i.e. facilitates their mixing with water;
helps normal function of pancreatic lipolytic enzymes;
promotes the absorption of fatty acids and cholesterol in the intestines;
stimulates intestinal motility;
prevents the development of putrefaction processes in the intestines.

In other words, bile is a kind of tool that helps the intestines cope with the digestion of heavy fatty foods. Cholesterol itself practically cannot dissolve in water; bile helps it in this, namely its important components such as bile acids and phospholipid lecithin.

Types of gallstones: classification by composition

The gallstone itself is a crystalline structure that is formed by the aggregation of the components of bile, and can have a different shape and size. More than 80% of all gallstones are cholesterol, that is, those that are mostly composed of cholesterol, and contain small amounts of calcium salts, proteins and other components. About 20% is the second type of gallstones – brown or black pigment stones composed primarily of calcium bilirubinate and less than 10% of cholesterol. A mixed type of stones is quite rare.

Factors contributing to the formation of gallstones

In order to understand the mechanism of formation of stones in the gallbladder, it is necessary, first of all, to highlight the main factors that influence this process. There are the following main factors in the formation of cholesterol and mixed stones in the gallbladder:

overweight body;
passive lifestyle, physical inactivity;
eating high-calorie, high-cholesterol foods;
hereditary predisposition;
diabetes mellitus;
taking certain medications such as clofibrate or oral contraceptives;
diseases of the small intestine;
anomalies of the gallbladder.

The formation of pigment stones is facilitated by factors such as:

alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver;
presence of chronic infectious processes in the gallbladder;
helminthiases;
chronic hemolysis;
old age.

Mechanism of formation of cholesterol and mixed stones

The first stage in the formation of cholesterol stones in the gallbladder is the increased secretion of cholesterol into bile, which occurs under the influence of the above factors. Further, the bile oversaturated with cholesterol begins to crystallize, which is facilitated by the mucin glycoprotein, which is contained in the mucus of the gallbladder. In addition, the process of formation of cholesterol stones is promoted by motor disorders of the gallbladder, which occur in almost every second person. For example, gallbladder anomalies alone are found in more than 20% of the world's population.

Mechanism of formation of pigment stones in the gallbladder

The formation of pigment stones in the gallbladder is typical for people living in eastern countries, which is explained by frequent infections of the gallbladder and helminthiases found in residents of these countries. Under the influence of these factors, the concentration of unconjugated bilirubin in bile increases, which tends to precipitate and form pigment stones. Unconjugated bilirubin can also fuse in the gallbladder and form a nest to form mixed and cholesterol gallstones.

How to prevent gallstones

Thus, it becomes clear the high incidence of gallstone disease, especially among residents of developed countries. The fast pace of life makes people conform, eat fast junk food "on the go" instead of healthy food prepared at home, it leaves no time for outdoor activities and sports. Namely, these moments are key to human health. Proper nutrition and a healthy, active lifestyle will help prevent the formation of gallstones. A careful attitude to your health and timely seeking medical help will help preserve the youth and health of the body for many years.