Gallstones are deposits that develop in the gallbladder from sources such as excess bilirubin or cholesterol.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine says there's no surefire way to prevent gallstones, and that they're more likely to develop among women, Native Americans, other ethnic groups and people older than 40.
The agency mentions these additional risk factors for gallstones:
- Having a family history of gallstones.
- Having issues with the gallbladder, which are more common during pregnancy.
- Producing too much bilirubin, a bile pigment that's created when older or damaged red blood cells are broken down by the body.
- Having an infection of the biliary tract or cirrhosis of the liver.
- Being diabetic.
- Having had an organ or bone marrow transplant.
- Losing weight very quickly by consuming very few calories.
- Receiving intravenous feedings for a long period.
Health Tip: Calm a Colicky Baby
Babies that cry frequently for hours at a time and are fussy for reasons you or your doctor can't explain may have colic.
While doctors don't know what causes colic, and there is no known cure, the Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions to help calm a colicky baby:
- Walk with baby, rock in a chair or try other positions to see if any of them make baby happy.
- Burp baby frequently during feedings.
- Place baby across your lap, belly-down, and rub baby's back.
- Place baby in a swing or seat that vibrates, or put baby in an infant carrier and go for a ride in the car.
- Play soothing music.
- Run the vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, clothes dryer or white noise device to see if this calms your baby.
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