Symptoms of gallstones in the elderly

Typical symptoms of gallstones in the elderly include dull pain or paroxysmal colic in the right upper abdomen, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, indigestion, etc. Some patients may have no symptoms at all, but in severe cases it may cause fever, jaundice or bile duct infection. Patients need to be vigilant and seek medical attention for evaluation in a timely manner.

Elderly people are more likely to develop gallstones because of the slowdown of bile metabolism caused by aging, coupled with the influence of irregular diet or high-fat diet. When symptoms occur, the most common is pain in the right upper abdomen, which is often intermittent colic or persistent dull pain, and sometimes the pain radiates to the right shoulder or back. The discomfort worsens after eating, especially after consuming foods with a high fat content. Other symptoms include bloating, belching, loss of appetite, etc. In severe cases, stones may cause inflammation of the gallbladder or bile duct, leading to systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and jaundice. A small number of elderly patients may be completely asymptomatic due to decreased pain sensitivity and are only discovered during physical examinations or other abdominal examinations.

For symptomatic elderly gallstones, patients with mild symptoms can relieve symptoms by adjusting their eating habits, such as reducing the intake of high-fat foods and increasing the intake of dietary fiber, such as oats, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. For patients whose symptoms occur frequently or affect their quality of life, drug therapy is a common choice, such as oral ursodeoxycholic acid to help dissolve small stones. If the stones are too large or cause complications, surgical removal of the gallbladder is currently the most effective treatment. Common surgical methods include laparoscopic cholecystectomy, open cholecystectomy, and percutaneous gallbladder drainage for patients who cannot undergo surgery.

Once elderly patients are diagnosed with gallstones, they should undergo regular physical examinations, especially those who are asymptomatic to avoid ignoring the progression of the disease. Regular meals and light, easily digestible foods, as well as maintaining weight and exercising moderately can significantly help prevent symptoms from worsening. It is important not to ignore any abdominal discomfort, especially if accompanied by abnormal symptoms such as fever or jaundice, and consult a doctor in time to avoid worsening of the condition.