What are the early symptoms of gallstones?

Early symptoms of gallstones may include discomfort in the right upper abdomen, nausea, acid reflux, or transient pain, which is more obvious after meals, especially after consuming high-fat foods. Some patients may not feel any discomfort, but the stones are discovered accidentally during a physical examination.

The symptoms of gallstones are mainly related to the obstruction and inflammation of the bile duct. Common manifestations are dull pain or bloating in the right upper abdomen, usually below the ribs. The pain may radiate to the back or right shoulder, which is called biliary colic. Symptoms often occur after eating greasy food, because the fat stimulates the gallbladder to contract, and the movement of the stones causes bile duct irritation. Accompanying symptoms may also include nausea, vomiting and acid reflux, and some patients may feel indigestion or bloating. If gallstones cause cholecystitis, the patient may experience persistent abdominal pain, fever or jaundice, and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. Some patients have no obvious symptoms of gallstones, which are called "asymptomatic gallstones". They may only be discovered through B-ultrasound during a physical examination, but symptoms may appear as the disease progresses.

To avoid worsening of the disease or complications, patients with gallstones are advised to take appropriate measures according to their symptoms. If the symptoms are mild, it is recommended to adjust the diet, eat less high-fat foods, and consume more high-fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables to help reduce the burden on the gallbladder. If symptoms occur frequently or serious complications occur, such as cholecystitis or biliary obstruction, medical intervention should be sought. Common treatments include oral litholytic drugs (such as ursodeoxycholic acid) to reduce the size of the stones, or minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy. For patients with gallstones who do not have obvious symptoms, regular follow-up and health monitoring are very important. In daily life, maintaining a healthy diet, moderate exercise and controlling weight can also help prevent further development of gallstones. When the condition worsens or severe pain occurs, be sure to seek medical attention in time to avoid serious complications.