What harm can gallstones cause?

Gallstones can cause a variety of hazards, including serious diseases such as acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis. They can also cause symptoms such as indigestion and abdominal pain, and even affect other systems of the body. In response to the hazards of gallstones, we need to choose appropriate treatment methods according to the specific situation, including medication, minimally invasive surgery, and daily conditioning. Timely intervention is the key to avoiding complications.

1. Occurrence of acute cholecystitis

The most common hazard of gallstones is acute cholecystitis. When the stones get stuck in the neck of the gallbladder or the outlet of the bile duct, the bile flow is blocked, which will cause the pressure in the gallbladder to increase and trigger an inflammatory response. Patients usually experience severe pain in the right upper abdomen, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and fever. If not treated in time, it may cause gallbladder perforation or peritonitis.

Solution:

Antibiotics can be used to treat mild inflammation and control the infection.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended for severe or recurrent cholecystitis.

Avoid high-fat diets to reduce the burden on the gallbladder.

2. Cholangitis and obstructive jaundice

When gallstones enter the common bile duct and block the bile duct, cholangitis occurs. Patients usually present with the "triad": right upper abdominal pain, high fever, jaundice, and even sepsis in severe cases. The obstruction of bile excretion leads to the accumulation of bilirubin, which may cause systemic jaundice symptoms.

Solution:

Acute cholangitis requires emergency treatment, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can be used to remove stones and relieve obstruction.

Infections are usually treated with a combination of intravenous fluids and antibiotics.

To prevent recurrence, regular checks of the bile duct condition are required, combined with a doctor's advice on whether long-term intervention is needed.

3. Induction of pancreatitis

When gallstones fall into the lower end of the common bile duct, they may block the pancreatic duct and induce acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is a critical and severe disease. Patients will experience persistent abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever and even shock, which can be life-threatening in severe cases.

Solution:

Acute pancreatitis requires immediate hospitalization and treatment, including fasting, rehydration, and use of pancreatic enzyme inhibitors.

Severe cases may require endoscopic or surgical removal of the gallstones.

Avoid fatty foods and overeating to reduce the burden on the pancreas.

4. Impaired digestive function

Gallstones can also have long-term effects on the digestive system, such as indigestion, bloating, and diarrhea. This is because the efficiency of fat digestion and absorption is reduced after the excretion of bile is blocked, which may lead to malnutrition in the long run.

Solution:

Improve your diet structure, eat more fiber-rich foods, and reduce your intake of greasy foods.

Taking digestive aids (such as ursodeoxycholic acid) can relieve mild symptoms.

If symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a doctor whether further examination is needed.

5. Risk of cancer

Long-term untreated gallstones increase the risk of gallbladder cancer, especially in patients with chronic gallbladder inflammation. Although the incidence of gallbladder cancer is low, there are no obvious symptoms in the early stages, and once discovered, it is often in the late stages, so it needs to be taken seriously.

Solution:

Have regular physical examinations and pay attention to the health of your gallbladder.

For patients with long-term symptomatic gallstones, early surgical treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of cancer.

6. Other complications

Gallstones may cause problems such as liver damage, gastrointestinal ulcers, or bile fistulas. Although these complications are uncommon, they can significantly affect quality of life.

Solution:

Liver function damage can be repaired with the help of drugs.

Severe cases require surgical repair by a professional doctor.

Friendly reminder

The harm of gallstones is not limited to local problems, but may also cause systemic complications. Early detection and early treatment are the key to preventing harm. If you experience persistent right upper abdominal pain or related symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. In daily life, you can reduce the risk of gallstones through dietary conditioning and health examinations. Protecting your health starts with small things.