What are the dangers of gallstones?

Gallstones can cause a variety of health problems, including severe abdominal pain, gallbladder infection, and even an increased risk of gallbladder cancer. The extent of its harm varies depending on the size, location, and duration of the stone, so early identification and intervention are very important.

Gallstones are solid substances formed by abnormal precipitation of bile components in the gallbladder. They are common in people who eat a high-fat, high-cholesterol, and low-fiber diet. Normally, small stones may not cause symptoms, but once the stones block the cystic duct or common bile duct, they may cause obvious discomfort such as pain and jaundice. Women, obese people, and the elderly are at high risk of gallstones.

If gallstones are not detected or treated in time, they may cause a series of problems. Common complications include cholecystitis (gallbladder infection causes symptoms such as fever and persistent abdominal pain), cholangitis (bile duct infection may cause chills, high fever, and jaundice), and pancreatitis (acute inflammation caused by stones blocking the pancreatic duct). Recurrent chronic cholecystitis may induce gallbladder wall fibrosis and even increase the risk of gallbladder cancer. If some patients ignore gallstones, they may suffer liver damage due to long-term bile duct obstruction.

In order to prevent the harm caused by gallstones, you should adjust your eating habits, reduce the intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, and increase the proportion of dietary fiber, such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits. At the same time, regular exercise and avoiding obesity and overeating are also effective preventive measures. If you experience symptoms such as paroxysmal pain in the right upper abdomen, jaundice, and fever, you should seek medical help in time to avoid delaying the disease.