Are gallstones dangerous? Are they serious?

The harmfulness of gallstones varies depending on the severity of the disease. Mild cases may be asymptomatic, while severe cases can lead to complications such as biliary colic, cholecystitis, bile duct obstruction and even bile duct cancer, necessitating timely medical treatment.

Gallstones are often formed by the deposition of cholesterol or bile pigments in bile. The causes include genetics, eating habits, obesity, diabetes, and long-term fasting or fast-food diets. Some people may not have obvious symptoms, but when gallstones enter the bile duct or cause inflammation, they often experience severe pain in the right upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and jaundice. If gallstones are not treated for a long time, they may lead to gallbladder abscesses, bile perforations, and even secondary infections causing sepsis and other life-threatening conditions. In particularly severe cases, long-term gallbladder irritation may increase the risk of bile duct cancer.

Gallstones are often formed by the deposition of cholesterol or bile pigments in bile. The causes include genetics, eating habits, obesity, diabetes, and long-term fasting or fast-food diets. Some people may not have obvious symptoms, but when gallstones enter the bile duct or cause inflammation, they often experience severe pain in the right upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and jaundice. If gallstones are not treated for a long time, they may lead to gallbladder abscesses, bile perforations, and even secondary infections causing sepsis and other life-threatening conditions. In particularly severe cases, long-term gallbladder irritation may increase the risk of bile duct cancer.

To prevent gallstones, you need to stick to a light and balanced diet, reduce the intake of high fat and high cholesterol, eat more vegetables, fruits and foods rich in dietary fiber; maintain regular exercise to prevent obesity. For patients who have been diagnosed with gallstones, if the symptoms are mild, they can be controlled by adjusting the diet; moderate to severe symptoms require drug dissolution or surgical treatment, such as oral ursodeoxycholic acid lithotripsy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) stone removal. If severe pain or signs of infection occur, you should seek medical attention immediately to ensure safety.