15 Jun – Gallstones

Visit Koko. Waa...so 'lau juak' Dad/Sako/Mako/Wilfred/Soo Lee (Sis-in-Law), SIL's parents were all there. I was happily snapping pictures of Wilfred my nephew. He talked non-stop. Wilfred challenged Meow to Ottello (dunno how to spell, I call it "Or Pek Chi") game on the hp & PDA. Young rascal always wouldn't let anyone win him. He knew he was gonna loose...he played for Meow when it was Meow turn...kids nowadays ! Ish ish ish ~~!!

Koko was in still under drug after the operation, it was a major one...initially the doctor wanted to do the Laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery but in the end had to go for Open surgery (laparotomy)
He complained abt pain....poor thing. Could only pray for him.

To find out more about Gallstones, go google search...for those who fast or on extreme diet....please becareful.

Here's what I found on http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gallstones/

Main factor - Cholesterol

Others :

Obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for gallstones, especially in women. A large clinical study showed that being even moderately overweight increases the risk for developing gallstones. The most likely reason is that obesity tends to reduce the amount of bile salts in bile, resulting in more cholesterol. Obesity also decreases gallbladder emptying.

Estrogen. Excess estrogen from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills appears to increase cholesterol levels in bile and decrease gallbladder movement, both of which can lead to gallstones.

Ethnicity. Native Americans have a genetic predisposition to secrete high levels of cholesterol in bile. In fact, they have the highest rate of gallstones in the United States. A majority of Native American men have gallstones by age 60. Among the Pima Indians of Arizona, 70 percent of women have gallstones by age 30. Mexican American men and women of all ages also have high rates of gallstones.

Gender. Women between 20 and 60 years of age are twice as likely to develop gallstones as men.

Age. People over age 60 are more likely to develop gallstones than younger people.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs. Drugs that lower cholesterol levels in blood actually increase the amount of cholesterol secreted in bile. This in turn can increase the risk of gallstones.

Diabetes. People with diabetes generally have high levels of fatty acids called triglycerides. These fatty acids increase the risk of gallstones.

Rapid weight loss. As the body metabolizes fat during rapid weight loss, it causes the liver to secrete extra cholesterol into bile, which can cause gallstones.

Fasting. Fasting decreases gallbladder movement, causing the bile to become overconcentrated with cholesterol, which can lead to gallstones.