What are the symptoms of gallstones?

The symptoms of gallstones vary, the most common of which is abdominal pain. If you feel discomfort in the right upper abdomen, accompanied by severe pain, especially after eating greasy food, then this may be a gallstone "reminder" that you need to pay attention.

Gallstones are a common digestive system disease, mainly caused by oversaturation of cholesterol or bile pigments in bile. Gallstones can be divided into cholesterol stones and bile pigment stones, with the former being more common. In most cases, gallstones do not cause immediate symptoms when they form, and many people discover them accidentally during physical examinations or other disease examinations.

As gallstones develop, symptoms may gradually appear. Abdominal pain is often located in the right upper abdomen or epigastrium and may radiate to the right shoulder blade. Sometimes, the pain suddenly intensifies and lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. Some people may also experience nausea, vomiting, and even fever and jaundice. These symptoms often occur when the gallbladder is irritated or blocked by stones. If the stones enter the common bile duct and cause obstruction, more serious complications such as cholangitis or pancreatitis may also occur.

In order to avoid the discomfort caused by gallstones, you need to pay attention to adjusting your diet and lifestyle in your daily life. Reducing the intake of high-cholesterol and high-fat foods and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and high-fiber foods can help reduce the burden on the gallbladder. Maintaining proper exercise can help promote the good metabolism of bile. Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding excessive dieting or rapid weight loss are important preventive measures. If you experience persistent abdominal pain or other uncomfortable symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time for professional diagnosis and treatment.