How to remove gallstones

In many cases, gallstones do not pass out of the body on their own. In severe cases, professional medical treatment is required. Gallstones are solid deposits in the gallbladder, usually composed of cholesterol, bile salts, and calcium. When the body digests fat, the gallbladder secretes bile to help break it down, but if an imbalance of cholesterol or bile salts causes the solvent to be oversaturated, stones will form. Common symptoms include severe pain in the right upper abdomen or shoulder blade area accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Different types of gallstones represent different health conditions.

It is important to recognize the different types of gallstones. Cholesterol stones are the most common and are usually green or yellow. Bilirubin stones are black or brown and are often caused by bile duct blockage due to cirrhosis or blood disorders. Rare mixed stones may involve complex causes, in which calcium deposits are also prominent. Ultrasound examinations can help doctors determine intervention strategies. Some small stones may improve on their own over time with lifestyle changes such as controlling diet, but larger or more symptomatic stones may require medical or surgical intervention.

Once the presence of gallstones is confirmed, lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of the condition worsening. It is recommended to minimize the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol and consume more fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Controlling fat intake can avoid stimulating excessive contraction of the gallbladder, and stabilizing the body's environment is also key. Maintaining good weight management, regular exercise and quitting bad habits that may aggravate the formation of gallstones, such as smoking and alcohol, are also helpful. Depending on the different types of gallstones, specific medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid can be prescribed by the doctor to help slowly dissolve the cholesterol stones.

If severe symptoms occur or there is a risk of organic damage, you should seek medical attention immediately for further diagnosis and intervention. Medical treatment often uses mirror technology to directly view the condition of the gallbladder; if medication is ineffective or the stones have become larger and blocked the bile duct, surgery may be the final option. Among surgical operations, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more common. It can remove the diseased organ in a minimally invasive way and recovery is faster. Under the guidance of experts, you can continue to enjoy a healthy life by maintaining a healthy diet and habits after surgery.