What are the common symptoms of gallstones?

Common symptoms of gallstones include intermittent right upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. If you feel these symptoms persist or are severe, please seek medical attention for professional help.

Gallstones are stones formed when bile secreted by the liver crystallizes in the gallbladder due to certain factors. The formation of gallstones is related to factors such as cholesterol metabolism disorders, changes in bile salt concentrations, and gallbladder dynamic disorders. Patients with gallstones may sometimes have no obvious symptoms, which is the so-called "silent stone", but in some cases, the stones can cause pain and discomfort.

In terms of specific symptoms, biliary colic is the most typical manifestation. It usually occurs after eating a high-fat meal, and the pain may spread to the right shoulder and back. In addition to pain, patients may also experience jaundice because stones may cause blockage of the bile duct, preventing bile from being excreted into the intestines. In this case, the skin and eyes will appear yellow. If the gallbladder or bile duct is inflamed, it may be accompanied by symptoms such as fever and chills, which indicates that inflammation has occurred.

Prevention and management of gallstones can start with lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Avoiding overeating and high-fat diets, and increasing dietary fiber intake can help reduce the risk of stones. For patients who already have symptoms, eating small, frequent meals and avoiding high-fat foods can slow down the onset of symptoms to a certain extent. If symptoms persist or seriously affect the quality of life, it is recommended to consult a medical professional for a more suitable treatment plan.