Can gallstones cause stomach pain?

Gallstones may cause stomach pain because they can easily lead to obstruction of the bile duct system, inducing cholecystitis or bile duct infection, which in turn causes upper abdominal pain, which is often mistaken for stomach pain. Patients should seek a clear diagnosis as soon as possible to avoid delaying the disease. The specific causes and relief measures include the following:

1. Characteristics of pain caused by gallstones

The pain of gallstones is mainly due to the obstruction of the bile duct, which leads to inflammation or spasm of the gallbladder or bile duct. This pain is usually located in the right upper abdomen or the middle upper abdomen, and sometimes radiates to the shoulder and back. The symptoms are very similar to stomach pain, but may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, etc. The pain is often aggravated after eating high-fat foods.

Recommendation: If the pain persists, see a doctor as soon as possible and get a clear diagnosis through abdominal ultrasound or CT to avoid confusing stomach and gallbladder diseases.

2. Indirect effects of gallstones on the stomach

Cholecystitis or bile duct infection caused by gallstones can stimulate peripheral nerves, reflexively causing stomach discomfort, bloating, belching, heartburn and other symptoms similar to gastritis. Gallstones affect bile secretion in the long term, which may lead to fat malabsorption or gastrointestinal dysfunction, further aggravating stomach symptoms.

Recommendation: Improve your eating habits, avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, and eat more vegetables and foods rich in dietary fiber. If necessary, you can take digestive enzyme preparations to improve symptoms, but you must use the medication under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Gallstones combined with other diseases

Some patients with gallstones may also suffer from gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers or gastritis, which may also cause stomach pain. If you only focus on gallstones and ignore stomach problems, treatment may be delayed.

Recommendation: Unexplained abdominal pain requires a comprehensive examination, combined with gastroscopy, liver function and other tests to determine whether there are other digestive system diseases.

4. Treatment measures and prevention methods

Drug treatment: For smaller gallstones, drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid can be used to help dissolve the stones, but the effect is slow and needs to be taken for a long time.

Surgical treatment: For patients with recurrent attacks or complications, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended. It has less trauma and quick recovery, and is the current mainstream treatment method.

Lifestyle intervention: Maintain a light diet, avoid overeating, quit smoking and limit alcohol, control weight, and reduce the risk of gallstone formation.

Gallstones may cause stomach pain, but it is important to understand the relationship between the two to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment. If you experience recurrent upper abdominal pain, you should seek medical attention immediately, conduct a detailed examination to identify the cause, and take targeted treatment. Whether it is gallstones or stomach problems, regular diet, weight control, and regular physical examinations are the key to prevention and management.