Which type of gallstones is the most serious?

The most serious type of gallstones is "common bile duct stones" because it may cause acute cholangitis, pancreatitis and even life-threatening. Once symptoms such as severe pain in the right upper abdomen, fever, and jaundice occur, you need to seek medical attention immediately to avoid serious complications.

Gallstones can be divided into several categories according to their location and composition. Cholesterol stones in the gallbladder are more common and have milder symptoms. They are often discovered by patients accidentally during examinations. In contrast, common bile duct stones are more dangerous. After this type of stone blocks the common bile duct, it will affect the normal flow of bile and pancreatic juice, thereby inducing infection and inflammation. Typical manifestations include the triad: abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever. If not treated in time, it may further develop into biliary pancreatitis and even lead to septic shock or liver failure. Another thing to pay attention to is mixed or pigment stones, which usually occur in an infectious bile environment. This type of stone may not only damage the liver, but also easily form repeatedly in the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, leading to multiple recurrences of the disease.

For the treatment of common bile duct stones, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the first choice, which can effectively locate the stones and perform stone removal. If the stones are too large or accompanied by severe infection, percutaneous biliary drainage (PTCD) or cholecystectomy can be selected as auxiliary measures. In terms of medication, some patients can take ursodeoxycholic acid orally after surgery to help avoid stone recurrence. In terms of diet, it is recommended to reduce the intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, and supplement with fruits and vegetables containing dietary fiber in moderation; daily exercise can also help control weight and prevent lipid metabolism disorders.

If you are at high risk of gallstones, such as being obese, on a long-term low-fat diet, suffering from diabetes or bile duct infection, regular physical examinations are particularly important. Although common bile duct stones are dangerous, most patients can recover through timely diagnosis and standardized treatment. At the same time, it is important to pay attention to a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of recurrence. I hope you stay away from disease troubles, always cherish your body's feelings, and take the initiative in your health as soon as possible!