What are the complications of gallstones?

Gallstones may cause a variety of complications, the most common of which are cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis, which may have serious consequences for your health and therefore require prompt attention and treatment. Gallstones, as the name implies, are stones that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They may form due to an imbalance of cholesterol, bile salts, and calcium salts in the bile. While some people may never experience discomfort from gallstones, for others, once the stones block the bile duct, it may cause severe pain and complications.

One common complication is cholecystitis, which is caused by stones blocking the outlet of the gallbladder, leading to inflammation of the gallbladder. Symptoms usually include significant pain in the right upper abdomen, fever and nausea. If not treated in time, it may lead to necrosis or perforation of the gallbladder. Cholangitis is caused by stones blocking the bile duct, causing bile to be unable to flow into the intestines normally and become infected. Symptoms include jaundice, fever and abdominal pain. The most serious is that if the gallstones fall into the opening of the pancreatic duct, it may cause pancreatitis, which is manifested as severe upper abdominal pain and may be accompanied by indigestion symptoms.

One common complication is cholecystitis, which is caused by stones blocking the outlet of the gallbladder, leading to inflammation of the gallbladder. Symptoms usually include significant pain in the right upper abdomen, fever and nausea. If not treated in time, it may lead to necrosis or perforation of the gallbladder. Cholangitis is caused by stones blocking the bile duct, causing bile to be unable to flow into the intestines normally and become infected. Symptoms include jaundice, fever and abdominal pain. The most serious is that if the gallstones fall into the opening of the pancreatic duct, it may cause pancreatitis, which is manifested as severe upper abdominal pain and may be accompanied by indigestion symptoms.

If you find that you have gallstones, you should closely monitor your physical condition, especially any discomfort in your abdomen. If you experience severe abdominal pain, fever, or jaundice, you should seek medical attention immediately so that you can get an early diagnosis and treatment and avoid more serious complications. At the same time, you can reduce the risk of gallstone formation by eating a healthy diet and exercising moderately in your daily life. For example, avoiding high-cholesterol, high-fat foods and consuming more high-fiber foods can help maintain the normal flow of bile and the balance of cholesterol.