What is the treatment for gallstones?

Treatments for gallstones include medication, minimally invasive surgery, and lifestyle changes. Medication can be used to dissolve small gallstones, and commonly used drugs include ursodeoxycholic acid. This method is suitable for patients with asymptomatic or mild symptoms of gallstones, but it needs to be taken for a long time and the effect is relatively slow. For patients with obvious symptoms or larger stones, minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common method, which is less invasive and has a quick recovery. In some special cases, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be chosen to remove stones in the common bile duct. For patients who cannot undergo surgery, non-surgical treatments such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are also an option, although there are fewer indications.

Causes of gallstones include genetic factors, eating habits, and the body's physiological conditions. Genetically, if there is a history of gallstones in the family, the chances of developing the disease will increase. Dietarily, a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet can increase the risk of gallstones. At the same time, obesity, diabetes, rapid weight loss, and certain metabolic diseases are also high-risk factors for gallstones. Women are at a higher risk of gallstones than men due to the effects of estrogen. Older age and pregnancy may also increase the risk because these conditions may cause the flow of bile to slow, which is conducive to the formation of stones.

Causes of gallstones include genetic factors, eating habits, and the body's physiological conditions. Genetically, if there is a history of gallstones in the family, the chances of developing the disease will increase. Dietarily, a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet can increase the risk of gallstones. At the same time, obesity, diabetes, rapid weight loss, and certain metabolic diseases are also high-risk factors for gallstones. Women are at a higher risk of gallstones than men due to the effects of estrogen. Older age and pregnancy may also increase the risk because these conditions may cause the flow of bile to slow, which is conducive to the formation of stones.

To prevent gallstones and manage existing conditions, it is recommended to eat a diversified and low-fat diet, increase fiber intake, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, avoid excessive intake of high-cholesterol foods, and maintain a certain amount of exercise to maintain a healthy weight. Weight loss should be gradual and avoid rapid weight loss, which is very important to reduce the risk of gallstones. Developing good living habits not only helps prevent gallstones, but is also beneficial to overall health. During treatment, mental health should not be ignored, because long-term pain or discomfort can lead to anxiety and depression, and it is important to seek psychological support and professional medical advice. If severe abdominal pain or other abnormal symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention in time to obtain professional diagnosis and treatment plans. Good health management and humane care can help patients better cope with the challenges brought by the disease.