What are the symptoms of gallstones and what medicine to take

Common symptoms of gallstones include dull pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and indigestion. Drug treatment is mainly aimed at dissolving stones and relieving symptoms. Gallstones refer to solid particles formed in the gallbladder or bile duct, which may be caused by an abnormal proportion of bile components or poor bile flow. In the process of gallstone formation, the cholesterol, bile salts and calcium in the bile do not "cooperate" well, just like uneven distribution of rice and water when cooking rice, resulting in lumps in the rice. In many cases, small gallstones do not cause any symptoms, but once they block the bile duct, the problem will appear, just like a water pipe is blocked by something.

Now that we know the basic symptoms, let's look at what you might experience when these stones start to get angry. The most common is biliary colic, which is characterized by severe pain in the right upper abdomen or mid-upper abdomen, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. This pain is usually aggravated after eating greasy food. Jaundice may also occur, showing a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. This is because the gallstones block the bile duct, resulting in the inability to excrete bilirubin normally. Long-term gallstones may also lead to chronic cholecystitis, which is manifested by persistent abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite.

For these annoying "stones", drug treatment usually aims to dissolve cholesterol stones. Commonly used drugs include ursodeoxycholic acid, which slowly dissolves stones by changing the composition of bile. However, this method is mostly used for patients who cannot undergo surgery because the drugs are slow to work and are only effective for small bile stones. If the gallstones are large or accompanied by acute symptoms, other treatments may be needed. To avoid worsening symptoms, antibiotics can be used in appropriate amounts according to the doctor's advice to relieve the symptoms of cholecystitis.

For mild gallstones, maintaining good eating habits is the key to prevention. You might as well turn your diet into a "nutrition battle". Focus on a low-fat diet, reduce excessive fat and cholesterol intake, and eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Drinking enough water helps promote metabolism, maintain the "fluidity" of bile, and prevent stone formation. Regular exercise is also very important. It not only promotes digestive health, but also helps control weight, thereby reducing the risk of gallstones. If symptoms persist or worsen, you should consult a medical professional in time.