What are the symptoms of gallstones?

Gallstones often present with pain in the right upper abdomen, indigestion, nausea and vomiting. For severe or persistent pain, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. Gallstones are caused by an imbalance in the composition of bile, with cholesterol stones and pigment stones being the most common types. Pain in the right upper abdomen usually occurs after eating high-fat foods, because fat stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder and stones affect the flow of bile. Gallstones may cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and indigestion. When stones block the bile duct, the patient may develop jaundice, with yellow skin and whites of the eyes. These symptoms may occur intermittently and are not easy to detect, but if persistent pain or fever occurs, be alert to complications such as cholecystitis or pancreatitis.

The formation of gallstones is related to many factors. Genetic background, eating habits, weight problems and certain diseases may increase the risk of gallstones. Genetic factors make people with a family history of gallstones more susceptible. A high-fat, low-fiber diet increases the risk of cholesterol stones, while obesity and rapid weight loss can cause changes in bile composition and increase stone formation. The incidence of gallstones is higher in women, especially over 40 years old; pregnancy and estrogen treatment may also increase the risk of disease. Certain chronic liver diseases and pancreatic lesions may also cause gallstones. Paying attention to dietary balance, maintaining a healthy weight and controlling chronic diseases are important means of prevention.

The formation of gallstones is related to many factors. Genetic background, eating habits, weight problems and certain diseases may increase the risk of gallstones. Genetic factors make people with a family history of gallstones more susceptible. A high-fat, low-fiber diet increases the risk of cholesterol stones, while obesity and rapid weight loss can cause changes in bile composition and increase stone formation. The incidence of gallstones is higher in women, especially over 40 years old; pregnancy and estrogen treatment may also increase the risk of disease. Certain chronic liver diseases and pancreatic lesions may also cause gallstones. Paying attention to dietary balance, maintaining a healthy weight and controlling chronic diseases are important means of prevention.

The prevention and management of gallstones should be a two-pronged approach from the perspective of lifestyle and medical treatment. In your daily diet, increase dietary fiber, consume a moderate amount of healthy fats such as olive oil and fish oil, and reduce the intake of high-cholesterol foods. Maintain a normal weight and avoid rapid weight loss, exercise appropriately, and enhance your overall health. Medically, drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid can be used to dissolve stones under the guidance of a doctor, but they are only effective for some types of small stones. Surgical treatment is mainly cholecystectomy, which is more common when pain recurs or the risk of complications increases. Regardless of the severity of the symptoms, the key is professional medical evaluation and timely medical treatment. In life, maintain good habits, actively face health challenges, focus on prevention, and reduce the troubles caused by gallstones.