What are the dangers of gallstones?

Gallstones may cause biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, cholangitis and even pancreatitis. These conditions may have serious impacts on health and need to be taken seriously and seek medical attention in time.

Gallstones are a common digestive system disease, characterized by the deposition of cholesterol, bilirubin or calcium salt crystals in the bile in the gallbladder or bile duct. If the stones block the neck of the gallbladder or the bile duct, it will cause severe right upper abdominal cramping, called biliary colic, which may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. If the inflammation spreads, it can lead to acute cholecystitis, manifested by persistent abdominal pain, fever and chills. If the stones migrate to the common bile duct and block the flow of bile, it will cause acute cholangitis, manifested by the triad of jaundice, high fever and right upper abdominal pain. In more serious cases, stones can cause biliary pancreatitis, manifested by severe abdominal pain, which may be life-threatening.

To prevent the harm of gallstones, you need to pay attention to a healthy diet structure, eat more dietary fiber, control the intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, maintain a stable weight, and avoid drastic weight loss. For patients diagnosed with gallstones, targeted treatment should be taken according to the condition, such as drug lithotripsy (suitable for smaller and single-component stones, such as ursodeoxycholic acid), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or surgery (such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy). It is recommended that if severe abdominal pain or jaundice symptoms occur, you should immediately seek medical attention for detailed evaluation and treatment.