Three young men aged 15 to 17 who complained of abdominal pains were diagnosed to be suffering from acute cholecystitis and gallstones, resulting in the removal of their gallbladders, according to the Chung Hsiao branch of Taipei City Hospital (北市聯合醫院忠孝院區). Doctors said these conditions typically afflict pregnant women and people aged over 40, adding that it is quite alarming to find occurrences of gallbladder-related disease among young people.
According to statistics, among women above 40 years of age, 20-30 percent suffer from gallstones due to hormonal changes relating to pregnancy, with occurrence of gallstones reported among 10-20 percent of men in the same age group. Studies also indicate that most gallstones are formed by cholesterol, not calcium.
According to reports, the three young men are all slightly overweight, with a body mass index rated of 30, and all exhibited a penchant for foods with high sugar and fat levels. In addition, the young men preferred beverages with high sugar content. Doctors also indicated that the young men had been self-medicating with over-the-counter drugs for upset stomachs, which delayed treatment and exacerbated their conditions. The removal of the gallbladder can have severe lifelong consequences, as a person's digestive system may longer be able to process foods containing fat without them.
In addition to committing to healthier dietary choices, doctors listed the excessive consumption of oily foods, a lack of water intake, and skipping breakfast as the primary causes of gallbladder disease among the young. Doctors recommend the youth to drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day, and avoid tea and coffee.
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