14 Gallstone Causes You Never Guessed

Gallstones are more likely to happen to you later in life, but there are plenty of other things that can put you at a higher risk of developing gallstones. If you’ve never had one before, you should know that they can be extremely painful – and that they are literally calcified mineral deposits that have to pass through your body naturally or, in worse cases, be broken up or extracted surgically through minor surgery.

Just because you are at risk doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do about minimizing the likelihood of struggling with gallstones: A healthier lifestyle alone can drop your chances of developing gallstones, and often the causes are diet-related so you’ll know what your diet needs to have less of. So, just what are the factors that will put you at risk? Here are ten gallstone causes that you never would have guessed it we didn’t say.

1. Genetics

There have been hundreds of years of medical debate about whether it’s nature or nurture, and we’re finally reaching the point where science more readily realizes that genetic factors are largely at the place. Your genetics alone can put you at a higher risk of developing gallstones: If someone in your family has struggled with inherited health issues like blood pressure, cholesterol, heart problems or gallstones before, then you can know that you are at a higher risk by default. And, logically, it’s natural that your children will be higher risk factors too.

If you are adopted, then you should have your genes screened so you know which diseases and health problems are genetic risk factors for you and your children: It’s the only way you’ll know for sure. Knowing your genetic make-up beforehand means that you can point doctors in the direction of what they should start to treat early.