What are the symptoms of gallstones?

The symptoms of gallstones vary from person to person. Some patients may have no obvious symptoms, while others may experience severe abdominal pain. Common symptoms of gallstones include severe pain in the right upper abdomen, which may spread to the back or right shoulder and usually worsens after eating high-fat foods. Patients may experience digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and bloating. In severe cases, gallstones may cause cholecystitis, cholangitis, or pancreatitis, manifested by fever, jaundice, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, etc.

Gallstones can form for a variety of reasons, including genetics, eating habits, obesity, rapid weight loss, and diabetes. Too much cholesterol or too little bile acid in the bile can lead to gallstones. Women, older people, pregnant women, and people who take birth control pills are more likely to develop gallstones. Gallstones are usually diagnosed with ultrasound, and CT or MRI can be done for further evaluation if necessary.

Gallstones can form for a variety of reasons, including genetics, eating habits, obesity, rapid weight loss, and diabetes. Too much cholesterol or too little bile acid in the bile can lead to gallstones. Women, older people, pregnant women, and people who take birth control pills are more likely to develop gallstones. Gallstones are usually diagnosed with ultrasound, and CT or MRI can be done for further evaluation if necessary.

For the treatment of gallstones, patients with mild symptoms can relieve symptoms through dietary adjustments and drug therapy. The diet should reduce the intake of high-fat foods and eat more fiber-rich foods. Drug treatment includes the use of litholytic drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid, but the effect is slow. For patients with severe symptoms or recurrent attacks, surgical removal of the gallbladder is a common treatment method, mainly including laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy. After surgery, patients should pay attention to dietary adjustments, avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and undergo regular health checks to prevent the recurrence of gallstones.