What are the symptoms and treatment of gallstones

The typical symptom of gallstones is abdominal pain, especially severe colic in the right upper abdomen or upper middle abdomen, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, indigestion, etc. Some patients may also feel uncomfortable after eating greasy food, while some patients with gallstones have no obvious symptoms, or even no symptoms for a long time.

The formation of gallstones is mainly related to abnormal changes in bile composition. Common risk factors include high-cholesterol diet, obesity, rapid weight loss, family inheritance, gallbladder dysfunction, etc. Gallstones can block the bile duct, affecting the discharge of bile, leading to complications such as cholecystitis or bile duct infection, which is also the root cause of symptoms such as pain. Some patients may also develop jaundice due to bile duct obstruction, manifested as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, and darker urine.

For patients with mild symptoms and no complications of gallstones, doctors usually recommend managing the condition through dietary adjustments and lifestyle interventions, such as reducing the intake of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, eating more fiber-rich vegetables and fruits, and maintaining moderate exercise and a healthy weight. For patients with significant symptoms or complications, further treatment may be required, including drug dissolution therapy, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, or surgical removal of the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently the main option).

It should be noted that if gallstones cause severe pain or are accompanied by fever, jaundice and other symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid serious complications. You can reduce the risk of gallstones by eating regularly, exercising moderately and avoiding overeating. If you have been diagnosed with gallstones but have no symptoms, you should also have regular checkups to detect changes in your condition in a timely manner.