What are the symptoms of gallstones and what medicine to take

The symptoms of gallstones vary, the most common of which include pain in the right upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, etc. If the condition is serious, jaundice or fever may also occur. For treatment, you can choose drugs that relieve symptoms, such as antispasmodics, choleretics or litholytics, but they must be used under the guidance of a doctor. Some patients may need further surgical treatment. In terms of diet, it is recommended to reduce the intake of greasy foods and choose foods rich in dietary fiber to prevent symptoms from worsening.

1. Symptoms of gallstones

The symptoms of gallstones depend mainly on the size and number of the stones and whether they cause complications.

- Pain in the right upper abdomen: This is one of the most common manifestations. It is usually intermittent and often worsens after eating a greasy or high-fat meal. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours.

-Nausea and vomiting: Gallstones may irritate the gallbladder and cause digestive discomfort, leading to nausea and even vomiting.

- Indigestion: Obstruction of bile secretion will affect the digestion and absorption of fat. Patients may experience symptoms such as abdominal distension and belching, especially after eating high-fat foods.

- Jaundice and fever: When stones cause complete obstruction of the bile duct, bile may flow back into the blood, causing yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. This may be accompanied by fever and chills, indicating complications such as cholangitis, and you should seek medical attention immediately.

If the symptoms are mild, such as occasional abdominal pain or indigestion, they can be improved through diet and medication management; if the symptoms occur frequently or are accompanied by severe discomfort, you need to go to the hospital for examination and treatment in time.

2. Drug treatment of gallstones

Medication can effectively relieve the discomfort caused by gallstones, but the appropriate medication should be selected according to the patient's specific condition. The following are commonly used types of medication:

1. Antispasmodics: such as scopolamine and atropine, can relieve the spasm of gallbladder smooth muscle and relieve the symptoms of biliary colic. It is suitable for patients with more obvious right upper abdominal pain and needs to be used according to the doctor's advice.

2. Choleretic drugs: including ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), etc., are used to promote bile circulation and reduce bile duct obstruction. They are especially effective for bile duct stones or functional gallbladder disease.

3. Litholytic drugs: such as ursodeoxycholic acid or chenodeoxycholic acid can be used to dissolve small cholesterol stones, but the treatment course is long (several months to a year) and is suitable for specific patients who do not want to undergo surgery.

Drug treatment is usually suitable for patients with mild symptoms and no acute inflammation or obstruction. It must be evaluated by a professional doctor before use to avoid blind self-medication.

3. The importance of dietary conditioning

Diet has a great influence on symptom control and prevention of recurrence in patients with gallstones.

1. Control fat intake: The gallbladder secretes bile mainly to help digest fat, so consuming too much fat will increase the burden on the gallbladder and aggravate symptoms. Food should be based on a low-fat diet, such as lean meat, fish, egg white, etc.

2. Supplement dietary fiber: Dietary fiber can help improve the digestive system, promote bile excretion, and help reduce the risk of gallstone formation. You can eat more green leafy vegetables, whole grains, oats and other foods on a daily basis.

3. Drink more water: Maintaining adequate water intake helps increase the dilution of bile, reduce cholesterol precipitation, and thus reduce the probability of new stone formation.

Avoid overeating and long-term fasting, both of which can stimulate abnormal gallbladder function, causing biliary colic or other symptoms.

4. What to do when medication and diet are ineffective

For patients who do not respond to medication and diet or whose symptoms frequently worsen, surgery may be necessary. The following are common surgical options:

1. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: This is currently the preferred surgery for treating gallstones. It has little trauma, quick recovery, and can completely solve the symptoms caused by gallstones.

2. Open cholecystectomy: suitable for cases where laparoscopic surgery is contraindicated or the gallbladder lesions are more complicated.

3. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Suitable for patients with common bile duct stones, the stones can be removed through endoscopic technology to avoid further complications.

Patients after surgery still need to pay attention to healthy diet and lifestyle management to reduce the risk of other digestive tract problems.

Kind tips

Although gallstones are a common disease, if not treated in time, they may cause serious complications such as cholecystitis, cholangitis, and even pancreatitis. If you have repeated right upper abdominal pain or symptoms such as fever and jaundice, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. In daily life, please pay attention to healthy diet and regular work and rest, reduce high-fat diet and sedentary habits to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of gallstones. Health is the result of long-term persistence. I hope you can start paying attention to your body from today and create a better quality of life for yourself and your family.