What are the symptoms of gallstones?

Common symptoms of gallstones include pain in the right upper abdomen, sometimes accompanied by digestive discomfort such as nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases may lead to jaundice. These symptoms usually occur because the gallstones block the bile duct, resulting in obstruction of bile flow.

Gallstones are solid particles that form in the gallbladder or bile duct. Some people may have a relatively high cholesterol content in their bile due to factors such as long-term high-fat diet or being overweight, which, combined with slow bile flow, can easily lead to gallstones. In some cases, gallstones may not cause symptoms for a long time because they do not completely block the bile duct or are located in a more "hidden" position. However, when the stones shift or increase in size, they may cause acute symptoms and irritate the gallbladder or bile duct, leading to acute cholecystitis.

Specific symptoms may vary from person to person. Severe pain in the right upper or upper middle abdomen is one of the most typical symptoms, and sometimes the pain radiates to the back or right shoulder. Due to gallstones irritating or blocking the bile duct, patients may develop jaundice, which manifests as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Digestive symptoms such as bloating, nausea, and vomiting are also common, especially after a high-fat diet. Long-term untreated may induce more serious complications such as acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, and even pancreatitis.

It is recommended to maintain a reasonable diet, reduce the intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, and increase dietary fiber appropriately. Maintaining regular exercise to control weight is also one of the ways to prevent gallstones. If the above-mentioned related symptoms occur, especially persistent abdominal pain or jaundice, it is particularly important to seek medical attention in time. Medical imaging examinations such as ultrasound or CT can make a clear diagnosis, and conservative treatment or surgical treatment can be chosen under the guidance of a doctor. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle while being alert to abnormal signals from the body is the key to achieving effective prevention and timely treatment.