What are the dangers of gallstones?

Gallstones may cause serious complications such as biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, and cholangitis. If not treated promptly, they may further develop into gallbladder perforation, secondary infection, and even increase the risk of gallbladder cancer.

Gallstones often cause obstruction of gallbladder contraction, leading to bile stasis, which causes pain or inflammation, manifested as severe colic in the right upper abdomen, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Continued untreated may lead to infection, forming acute or chronic cholecystitis, and in severe cases, develop into peritonitis or gallbladder perforation. If the stones move into the bile duct, it may also cause bile duct obstruction, jaundice or cholangitis, further inducing liver damage and even sepsis. Long-term stone stimulation of the gallbladder wall may increase the risk of cancer, especially in patients with multiple gallbladder stones or recurrent inflammation.

Gallstones often cause obstruction of gallbladder contraction, leading to bile stasis, which causes pain or inflammation, manifested as severe colic in the right upper abdomen, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Continued untreated may lead to infection, forming acute or chronic cholecystitis, and in severe cases, develop into peritonitis or gallbladder perforation. If the stones move into the bile duct, it may also cause bile duct obstruction, jaundice or cholangitis, further inducing liver damage and even sepsis. Long-term stone stimulation of the gallbladder wall may increase the risk of cancer, especially in patients with multiple gallbladder stones or recurrent inflammation.

Maintaining good eating habits and taking in dietary fiber in moderation are effective ways to prevent gallstones. High-risk groups should avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol diets to reduce bile saturation, and exercise appropriately to promote metabolic health. If stones are diagnosed but there are no obvious symptoms, regular monitoring can be performed as directed by the doctor; when pain or infection occurs, treatment should be taken promptly, and drug dissolution (such as ursodeoxycholic acid), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) can be selected. Patients need to have regular checkups and follow dietary and lifestyle adjustment recommendations.