There are several ways to treat gallstones

Treatments for gallstones can be divided into two categories: non-surgical and surgical. The method you choose depends on the size, location, symptoms, and personal health status of the stones.

Gallstones are deposits of cholesterol, bile salts or calcium in the bile in the gallbladder. Small stones may not cause obvious symptoms, while large stones may cause biliary colic, nausea, vomiting or jaundice. Different types of treatments aim to relieve symptoms or prevent complications.

If the stones are small and asymptomatic, observation or drug lithotripsy can be chosen. Commonly used drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid can gradually reduce stones by increasing the solubility of bile, but the course of treatment may be long and the effect varies from person to person. For cases with obvious symptoms or large stones, minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently a more common surgical option, and recovery is generally faster. If surgery is not suitable, extracorporeal lithotripsy can also be used to break up the stones with shock waves and then excrete them with bile.

Daily diet can also play a supporting role, such as reducing the intake of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods and eating more fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. If symptoms worsen, such as severe abdominal pain or fever, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible, and the doctor will evaluate the best treatment plan.