What are the symptoms of gallstones?

What are the dangers of gallstone symptoms?

Gallstones can cause significant abdominal pain, especially severe pain in the right upper abdomen, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever and other symptoms. These symptoms not only affect daily life, but may also cause serious health problems, including cholecystitis, bile duct obstruction and even pancreatitis. If persistent pain or fever, jaundice and other conditions occur, you should seek medical attention immediately to prevent the condition from worsening.

1. The main symptoms and hazards of gallstones

(1) Abdominal pain: The most typical symptom of gallstones is severe colic in the right upper or middle abdomen, which often occurs after eating high-fat foods. The pain may spread to the back or right shoulder and usually lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. This pain can greatly affect the patient's work and life, and in severe cases may even require emergency treatment.

(2) Indigestion: Gallstones may cause digestive dysfunction, resulting in bloating, nausea, vomiting and other problems. These symptoms can weaken the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, affect nutrient absorption and lead to long-term discomfort.

(3) Fever and jaundice: If gallstones cause gallbladder infection or bile duct obstruction, the patient may experience fever and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). This often indicates that the condition is getting worse and requires immediate medical attention.

2. Complications that may be caused by gallstones

(1) Cholecystitis: Gallstones may cause inflammation of the gallbladder, leading to persistent right upper abdominal pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, etc. Cholecystitis that is not treated in time may cause gallbladder necrosis or even perforation.

(2) Bile duct obstruction: If the stones move to the bile duct and get stuck, bile cannot be discharged normally, inducing obstructive jaundice. This will not only cause severe pain, but may also damage liver function.

(3) Acute pancreatitis: If gallstones block the opening of the pancreas, it can induce acute pancreatitis, causing severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever, which can be life-threatening in severe cases.

3. How to prevent and deal with the harm of gallstones

(1) Drug treatment: For patients with smaller gallstones or milder initial symptoms, litholytic drugs (such as ursodeoxycholic acid) can be used to help alleviate the condition.

(2) Surgical treatment: Cholecystectomy is the main method for treating gallstones, including traditional open surgery and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is less invasive and has a quick recovery, and is currently the preferred method.

(3) Diet adjustment: Diet is an important part of gallstone management for patients. Reducing the intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods and eating more fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can help prevent and relieve symptoms.

4. Daily life advice

To prevent the harm of gallstones, it is recommended to develop a healthy lifestyle:

Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a high-risk factor for gallstones. Maintaining your weight through a proper diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk.

Eat on time: Avoid fasting for long periods of time to reduce the retention time of bile in the gallbladder.

Drink plenty of water: Keeping enough water in the body helps dilute bile and prevent stone formation.

Kind tips

The symptoms and harm of gallstones may gradually worsen and should not be ignored. If you experience persistent abdominal pain or fever, jaundice and other symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent the condition from worsening. Through reasonable treatment and a healthy lifestyle, most patients can effectively control the disease and return to normal life. Protect the health of your gallbladder, start with daily habits, and keep your body away from hidden dangers.