What are the symptoms of gallstones

Typical symptoms of gallstones include sudden colic in the right upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, fever and jaundice. The severity of the symptoms varies depending on the size and location of the stones and whether complications occur. When all of the above symptoms occur, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible to avoid worsening of the condition.

The symptoms of gallstones vary, the most common of which is biliary colic, which usually occurs in the right upper abdomen or upper middle abdomen. It manifests as severe sudden pain, often lasting from minutes to hours, and even spreading to the back or right shoulder. The pain may worsen after eating high-fat foods, because high-fat diets stimulate gallbladder contraction and cause gallstones to become impacted. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension are also common manifestations, and patients often have digestive discomfort. If gallstones cause cholecystitis, cholangitis, or common bile duct obstruction, fever, chills, or jaundice may also occur. Jaundice manifests as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, accompanied by darker urine color. The appearance of these symptoms indicates that the condition is already serious, so do not delay.

The key to preventing and managing gallstones is timely medical treatment and a reasonable lifestyle. If gallstones are diagnosed but there are no obvious symptoms, doctors usually recommend regular observation, but if symptoms recur or the risk of complications is high, treatment methods should be selected according to the condition. Drug lithotripsy is suitable for patients with smaller cholesterol stones, which can be dissolved by taking ursodeoxycholic acid; extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is suitable for larger but limited stones, and can achieve better results with drugs; and for patients with severe symptoms or impaired gallbladder function, cholecystectomy becomes the most direct treatment method, whether it is traditional laparotomy or minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, it can effectively eradicate the cause. In daily life, you should pay attention to reducing high-fat and high-cholesterol diets, appropriately increasing dietary fiber intake, and exercising reasonably to control your weight, which can effectively reduce the risk of gallstones.

Don't ignore symptoms when they appear. Early diagnosis and treatment can avoid more serious complications. For asymptomatic gallstones, healthy diet and lifestyle management can also help prevent their gradual development. Paying attention to every detail of your health is the basis for protecting a long and happy life.