What are the consequences of untreated gallstones?

If gallstones are not treated, they may cause serious health problems, including cholecystitis, bile duct obstruction, and cholangitis, and may increase the risk of gallbladder cancer. Most people with gallstones do not have obvious symptoms, but once they experience symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever, it means that the condition may have worsened. Cholecystitis is one of the most common complications of gallstones. Because the stones block the neck of the gallbladder or the cystic duct, the flow of bile is blocked, which leads to infection and inflammation. Bile duct obstruction may cause liver damage because bile cannot enter the intestines normally, leading to digestive disorders. Cholangitis is an infection of the bile duct after obstruction, which can rapidly develop into sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

If not treated promptly, these complications of gallstones may lead to extremely serious consequences, so it is very necessary to take appropriate treatment measures. For patients with asymptomatic or mild symptoms of gallstones, doctors may recommend regular observation and dietary adjustments. For severe or frequent cases, surgical treatment such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy is usually recommended, which has the advantages of less trauma and quick recovery. In addition, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and endoscopic retrograde pancreaticobiliary angioplasty (ERCP) are also common non-surgical treatment options, which are suitable for smaller stones or obstructive gallstones, respectively. Drug treatments such as bile acid drugs can be used to dissolve cholesterol stones, but are mostly used in patients who are not suitable for surgery.

If not treated promptly, these complications of gallstones may lead to extremely serious consequences, so it is very necessary to take appropriate treatment measures. For patients with asymptomatic or mild symptoms of gallstones, doctors may recommend regular observation and dietary adjustments. For severe or frequent cases, surgical treatment such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy is usually recommended, which has the advantages of less trauma and quick recovery. In addition, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and endoscopic retrograde pancreaticobiliary angioplasty (ERCP) are also common non-surgical treatment options, which are suitable for smaller stones or obstructive gallstones, respectively. Drug treatments such as bile acid drugs can be used to dissolve cholesterol stones, but are mostly used in patients who are not suitable for surgery.

In daily life, avoiding excessive intake of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, maintaining a healthy weight and doing proper physical exercise can effectively reduce the formation of gallstones. Developing good eating habits and supplementing with fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help promote the metabolism of cholesterol and bile, thereby reducing the probability of stones. Once suspected symptoms of gallstones appear, you should not self-diagnose or ignore the symptoms. Seeking medical attention in time to obtain professional diagnosis and treatment is an important step in maintaining health. The human body is a complex system. Scientific treatment and lifestyle adjustments can greatly improve health and bring long-term benefits to life.