Are the symptoms of obstructive gallstones obvious?

The symptoms of obstructive gallstones are usually obvious, mainly manifested as severe pain in the right upper abdomen, jaundice, fever, nausea and vomiting, etc. These symptoms are closely related to bile duct obstruction and inflammation, and require timely medical treatment.

1. Severe pain in the right upper abdomen

The most common symptom of obstructive gallstones is sudden severe pain in the right upper abdomen, which often radiates to the shoulders and back. This pain is usually caused by gallstones blocking the bile duct, which prevents bile from being discharged normally and increases bile duct pressure. The pain may last for several hours, especially after eating high-fat foods. It is recommended to avoid greasy foods and seek medical attention in time for imaging examinations, such as ultrasound or CT, to confirm the diagnosis.

2. Jaundice

When gallstones block the bile duct, bile cannot flow into the intestines, causing bilirubin to accumulate in the blood and cause jaundice. Patients may experience symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes and dark yellow urine. Jaundice is a typical manifestation of bile duct obstruction and requires medical attention as soon as possible. Treatments include endoscopic retrograde pancreaticobiliary ductography (ERCP) stone removal or surgical removal of the gallbladder.

3. Fever, nausea and vomiting

Biliary obstruction may cause cholangitis, which can lead to fever, chills, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms indicate possible infection and require prompt antibiotic treatment. For patients with recurrent episodes, surgical removal of the gallbladder is a radical cure. After surgery, you should eat a light diet and avoid high-fat foods to promote recovery.

The symptoms of obstructive gallstones are obvious and may cause serious complications, such as pancreatitis or sepsis. Once the above symptoms appear, you should seek medical attention in time to solve the obstruction problem through drug treatment, endoscopic stone removal or surgery. In daily life, maintaining a low-fat diet, regular work and rest, and moderate exercise can help prevent the formation of gallstones.