What tests are usually done for gallstones?

Gallstone examinations usually include ultrasound scans, which are the preferred method for diagnosing gallstones because they are safe, non-invasive and effective. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to view the condition of the gallbladder and bile duct, and can clearly show the size, number and location of the stones in the gallbladder.

Gallstones are stones formed in the gallbladder or bile ducts, mainly composed of cholesterol, bile pigments or calcified substances, which are usually precipitated due to bile composition disorders. Gallstones may not have obvious symptoms, but when it causes cholecystitis or bile duct blockage, symptoms such as right upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and jaundice will appear. If gallstones are suspected, doctors usually recommend a B-ultrasound examination to confirm the diagnosis. During the physical examination, blood tests may be performed first to observe whether there are abnormalities in liver function indicators.

Regarding the specific examination of gallstones, in addition to B-ultrasound, some auxiliary examination methods may also be involved. For example, although CT scans are not as commonly used as B-ultrasound, in some cases, it can view the anatomical structure of the biliary system in more detail. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a non-invasive nuclear magnetic resonance technology that can help observe the status of the bile duct and pancreatic duct. It may be used when the B-ultrasound results are unclear or when bile duct stones are suspected. The invasive endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is both an examination method and a treatment method, but it has certain risks and is usually used when interventional treatment is required.

In daily life, in order to avoid the occurrence of gallstones, it is recommended to maintain a healthy diet, reduce the intake of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, and eat more fiber-rich foods such as vegetables and fruits. At the same time, moderate exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are also key. If you have been diagnosed with gallstones and have discomfort symptoms such as pain, you should consult a professional doctor and seek treatment if necessary to prevent complications. For patients who have been diagnosed with gallstones, even if they have no symptoms, they should be followed up and monitored regularly to ensure that no acute attacks or other health problems occur.