How to prevent gallstones in the elderly

To prevent gallstones in the elderly, they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and weight control. Regular physical examinations are also essential.

The formation of gallstones is closely related to factors such as increased cholesterol concentration in bile and weakened gallbladder motility. Elderly people are prone to the risk of cholestasis due to decreased metabolic function, reduced activity and changes in dietary structure, which increases the incidence of gallstones. In terms of prevention, special attention should be paid to dietary habits, reducing the intake of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, such as animal offal and fried foods, while ensuring sufficient dietary fiber intake, such as oats, soybeans and fresh fruits and vegetables, which can help bile excretion normally. The second is regular exercise. Low-intensity activities such as moderate walking, Tai Chi or swimming can promote metabolism and prevent the gallbladder from being stationary for a long time. The third is not to lose weight quickly or fast for a long time, because it can easily lead to excessive fat decomposition or excessive bile concentration, and scientific weight loss methods should be chosen. For elderly people with a history of gallstones or high-risk factors, such as diabetics, it is even more necessary to take cholesterol-regulating drugs for prevention under the advice of a doctor.

In daily prevention, attention should be paid to quitting smoking and drinking, and maintaining a good lifestyle. Adding abdominal ultrasound to annual physical examinations can detect gallbladder problems early. Once right upper abdominal pain or other discomfort symptoms occur, go to the hospital for diagnosis in time to prevent the condition from getting worse. Paying attention to life management and health supervision can not only prevent gallstones, but also greatly benefit the overall health of the elderly.