What are the dangers of gallstones?

Gallstones may cause serious problems such as biliary colic, cholecystitis, common bile duct obstruction, pancreatitis and indigestion. If not treated in time, it will pose a great threat to health. Especially when the stones are large or located in a special position, they may aggravate the condition and endanger life.

Mild gallstones often have no obvious symptoms, but when the stones block the flow of bile, they can cause severe pain in the right upper abdomen, known as biliary colic, which usually occurs after eating a high-fat meal. If the stones irritate the gallbladder wall for a long time, it can easily cause acute or chronic cholecystitis, manifested as fever, nausea, and vomiting. The stones may fall into the common bile duct, causing common bile duct obstruction, and then symptoms such as jaundice, affecting liver function. In severe cases, the stones may also hinder the excretion function of the pancreas, causing acute pancreatitis, which has a high mortality rate. Indigestion is also a common hazard of gallstones, and patients often feel abdominal distension, belching, etc.

Mild gallstones often have no obvious symptoms, but when the stones block the flow of bile, they can cause severe pain in the right upper abdomen, known as biliary colic, which usually occurs after eating a high-fat meal. If the stones irritate the gallbladder wall for a long time, it can easily cause acute or chronic cholecystitis, manifested as fever, nausea, and vomiting. The stones may fall into the common bile duct, causing common bile duct obstruction, and then symptoms such as jaundice, affecting liver function. In severe cases, the stones may also hinder the excretion function of the pancreas, causing acute pancreatitis, which has a high mortality rate. Indigestion is also a common hazard of gallstones, and patients often feel abdominal distension, belching, etc.

To prevent gallstones from getting worse, you should pay attention to health management. If you experience severe abdominal pain or high fever and jaundice, you should seek medical attention immediately. In daily life, it is recommended to control fat intake in the diet, increase dietary fiber appropriately, and do regular moderate-intensity exercise every week, such as brisk walking or swimming, which can effectively reduce the risk of gallstones. Patients with gallstones should undergo regular ultrasound examinations and, if necessary, choose drug lithotripsy, endoscopic stone removal, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy under the guidance of a doctor to reduce complications. Avoiding procrastination is the key to protecting your health.