Symptoms of patients with gallstones

The symptoms of gallstones vary depending on the size, number and location of the gallstones. The most common symptom is pain in the right upper abdomen (biliary colic), and severe cases may also cause nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. If severe pain or yellowing of the skin occurs, seek medical attention immediately. Mild gallstones may have no obvious symptoms, but regular checkups are still required to prevent the condition from worsening.

1. Pain in the right upper abdomen

The most typical symptom of gallstones is pain in the right upper abdomen, medically known as biliary colic. This pain usually occurs after eating greasy food, and the pain radiates to the right shoulder and back, lasting from a few minutes to a few hours.

Solution:

Drug treatment: Antispasmodics such as scopolamine and ibuprofen can be used to relieve pain.

Dietary adjustment: Reduce fat intake and avoid eating high-cholesterol foods such as animal offal, fried foods, etc.

Seek medical attention promptly: If the pain persists for a long time or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, you should seek medical attention immediately.

2. Nausea and vomiting

When gallstones cause bile duct obstruction or cholecystitis, patients may experience nausea and vomiting, especially after eating. This is because bile cannot flow into the digestive tract normally, causing indigestion.

Solution:

Diet control: Eat small meals frequently and try to eat easily digestible foods, such as rice porridge and clear soup.

Medication assistance: Digestive drugs such as domperidone (Motilium) can be used to help relieve symptoms.

Pay attention to observation: If vomiting is frequent, be alert to the possibility of gallbladder suppuration or perforation and seek medical attention in time.

3. Jaundice and itchy skin

If gallstones block the common bile duct, the bilirubin in the bile cannot be discharged normally, which may cause yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), and some patients may also experience itchy skin. This situation often indicates severe bile duct obstruction.

Solution:

Imaging tests: such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRCP) to determine the location of the stones.

Surgical treatment: including minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy or common bile duct lithotomy.

Auxiliary drugs: Anti-jaundice drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid can be used, but they must be used under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Asymptomatic Gallstones

Some patients with gallstones have no obvious symptoms, and most of them are discovered accidentally through B-ultrasound during physical examinations. Although asymptomatic, it does not mean that the risk is zero, and attention should be paid to the size and number of stones.

Solution:

Regular check-ups: Repeat B-ultrasound examinations every 6-12 months to monitor changes in gallstones.

Preventive measures: Maintain a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and exercise moderately to control your weight.

Elective surgery: If the stone is large (more than 3 cm in diameter) or there is a risk of cancer, surgery is recommended as soon as possible.

The symptoms of gallstones vary. Some patients may not experience obvious discomfort, while others may seek medical attention due to severe pain or jaundice. For the management of gallstones, it is necessary not only to treat the symptoms, but also to prevent recurrence from daily diet and lifestyle. If you have been diagnosed with gallstones, it is recommended to follow up regularly and follow the doctor's advice to choose the appropriate treatment method to avoid complications caused by delayed treatment and ensure a healthy quality of life.