Gallstones at a Young Age: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention Tips
मुख्य बातें
- •Nearly 7% of the general population suffers from gallbladder stones.
- •Gallstones are primarily of two types: cholesterol stones and pigment stones.
- •Risk factors include low water intake, oily foods, insufficient fiber, and rapid weight loss.
- •Prevention involves drinking enough water, consuming fiber-rich foods, eating regular meals, and avoiding fried foods.
In India, gallstones are becoming increasingly common among younger people due to unhealthy lifestyles and dietary habits. According to a report by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), individuals aged 20 to 40 are more likely to develop gallbladder stones than kidney stones. Dr. Piyush Ranjan, Vice Chairman of the Liver Gastroenterology Department at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, states that nearly 7% of the general population suffers from gallstones. While this condition is now widespread, the concerning trend is its rising prevalence among younger individuals.
Gallstones cause sharp pain in the middle and right side of the abdomen. Experts classify gallstones into two main types: cholesterol stones and pigment stones. Cholesterol stones form due to imbalanced cholesterol metabolism or defects in the gallbladder’s inner lining, while pigment stones result from the breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis). In younger individuals, pigment stones—small and dark in color—are more common. Cholesterol stones, on the other hand, typically develop in people with metabolic disorders.
