BETHESDA, Md., July 25 (UPI) -- U.S. women between the ages of 20 and 60 are three times more likely to develop gallstones than men, according to the American College of Gastroenterology.
Gallstones are solid clumps of cholesterol or pigment material that form in the gall bladder and can range in size from a single grain of sand up to the size of a ping-ping ball, said the ACG.
Risk factors for the development of gallstones include female gender, multiple pregnancies, being over the age of 60, obesity, diabetes and rapid weight loss, or bariatric surgery.
Common symptoms of symptomatic gallstones include severe pain in the upper stomach, pain under the shoulder or in the right shoulder blade, nausea or vomiting, jaundice and fever/chills.
If the pain of a "gallbladder attack" lasts longer than one to two hours or is associated with fever, the patient should seek a doctor or emergency medical attention.
To help lower the risk of gallstones:
-- Maintain a healthy body weight.
-- Avoid crash diets or eating less than 800 calories a day.
-- Exercise regularly.
-- Choose a low-fat, high-fiber diet that emphasizes fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
