What are the symptoms of gallstones?

Gallstones can cause severe pain in the right upper abdomen, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Gallstones are hardened deposits in the gallbladder, often caused by abnormal metabolism of cholesterol, bile salts or calcium in bile. Knowing these symptoms can help you identify and treat them early, reducing the risk of complications.

1. Detailed description of symptoms

Right upper quadrant pain: This is the most common symptom of gallstones and usually occurs after eating a high-fat meal. The pain may radiate to the back or right shoulder and come and go, lasting for hours.

Nausea and vomiting: When digestive function is affected, patients are prone to nausea and even vomiting. Such symptoms require professional evaluation by medical staff.

Jaundice: If stones block the bile duct, bile cannot be excreted into the small intestine normally, and the skin and the whites of the eyes may appear yellow.

Indigestion and bloating: Due to the obstruction of bile flow, the fat in food is not digested well, which can lead to bloating, loss of appetite, etc.

2. Medical treatment and diagnosis

Imaging examination: Ultrasound is a commonly used method for diagnosing gallstones, with the advantages of being non-invasive and accurate.

Blood tests: Check liver function and bilirubin levels to help determine whether there is bile duct obstruction.

3. Treatment and management

Drug lithotripsy: For patients who are unwilling to undergo surgery or have difficulty tolerating surgery, oral cholesterol inhibitors can be used to try to dissolve stones, but this requires long-term persistence.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: This is the standard method for treating gallstones. It removes the gallbladder through minimally invasive surgery, with a quick recovery and no impact on quality of life after the operation.

Dietary adjustments: Reducing the intake of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods and increasing fiber-rich meals can help prevent stones from expanding.

While paying attention to the symptoms of gallstones, we should not ignore its impact on the quality of life and potential health risks. When related discomfort occurs, timely consultation with a professional doctor is the key to maintaining health. Developing healthy eating and living habits is an important measure to prevent the occurrence of gallstones.