What are the consequences of untreated gallstones?

What are the consequences of untreated gallstones?

If gallstones are not treated for a long time, they may lead to a variety of serious consequences, including acute cholecystitis, bile duct obstruction, gallbladder gangrene and even cancer. Timely intervention is crucial. Early gallstones can be relieved by adjusting diet and lifestyle habits, but once obvious symptoms or complications occur, professional treatments such as drugs, extracorporeal lithotripsy or surgery are required.

1. Cholecystitis and related complications

If gallstones cause obstruction of the cystic duct, bile cannot be discharged, thus causing cholecystitis. The symptoms of acute cholecystitis usually include severe pain in the right upper abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, etc. In severe cases, it may further develop into suppurative cholecystitis or gallbladder gangrene. If the inflammation spreads, it may be life-threatening. For patients, early treatment can choose antibiotics to control infection, and some severe cases require cholecystectomy.

2. Bile duct obstruction and jaundice

When gallstones move to the bile duct, they may cause bile duct obstruction, which not only prevents bile from being excreted normally, but may also cause obstructive jaundice, which manifests as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, dark yellow urine, itching, and other symptoms. If it lasts for a long time, it may also affect liver function. Treatments include endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to remove stones and surgery to remove bile duct stones. Drinking plenty of water and keeping a light diet can also relieve symptoms appropriately.

3. Gallstone pancreatitis

The bile duct and pancreas are close to each other. When gallstones block the common passage, pancreatitis may occur, which in turn causes abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, and other problems. The treatment of pancreatitis requires hospitalization for observation. Mild cases can be treated with supportive treatments such as fasting and intravenous infusion. Severe cases may require surgery to relieve the blockage or remove pancreatic tissue.

4. Gallbladder cancer and other long-term risks

Although the risk of gallbladder cancer is low, long-term untreated gallstones can significantly increase the risk, especially when the gallstones are large in diameter, there is chronic cholecystitis, or gallbladder wall calcification. Early symptoms of cancer are easily ignored and are often discovered in the late stages. Regular checkups are key to preventing cancer, and once a high risk is confirmed, the gallbladder needs to be removed as soon as possible.

How to manage gallstones on a daily basis

1. Dietary adjustment: Reduce the intake of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, eat more high-fiber, low-fat foods, and increase the proportion of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

2. Control your weight: Obesity is one of the main causes of gallstones. Avoid losing weight too quickly, and do not lose more than 1 kg per week.

3. Regular check-ups: Especially for patients with a family history of gallstones or previous gallstones, regular ultrasound examinations should be performed to promptly assess the progression of the disease.

The risk of gallstones should not be underestimated, and timely medical treatment and treatment are the key to dealing with this problem. Good lifestyle management can reduce the possibility of complications caused by gallstones. If you have been diagnosed with gallstones and have persistent abdominal pain, fever or other discomfort symptoms, you should immediately go to a regular medical institution to seek professional help to avoid worsening of the disease and causing greater damage to the body.