by EBSCO Medical Review Board

These steps may help lower the risk of gallstones:

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Staying at a healthy weight can lower the risk of gallstones. This can be done through healthful eating and regular exercise. It can bring blood glucose and insulin levels within normal range, which also helps lowers the risk.

A person who needs to lose weight should do so slowly. Fasting and extreme dieting can lead to gallstones. A doctor or dietitian can help design a plan that is safe and works well.

Be Aware of Medicine Side Effects

Some medicines may raise the risk of gallstones, such as fibrates to lower cholesterol, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women. These medicines may need to be stopped or changed in some people.

References

Gallstones. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7313-gallstones. Accessed March 17, 2022.

Gallstones. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/gallstones. Accessed March 17, 2022.

Gallstones. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones. Accessed March 17, 2022.

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