Clinical symptoms and signs of gallstones

The common clinical manifestation of gallstones is colic in the right upper abdomen. Patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. These symptoms often occur after eating high-fat foods because gallstones block the bile duct, resulting in poor bile flow. In addition to these main symptoms, some patients may not have obvious discomfort and are only discovered accidentally during physical examinations or imaging examinations.

Understanding the causes of gallstones is helpful for prevention and timely treatment. Genetic factors play an important role in the formation of gallstones, and family history is one of the high-risk factors. Environmental factors, especially eating habits, such as high-fat, high-calorie diets, can promote stone formation. Physiological factors such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes are also susceptible to gallstones. Rapid changes in weight, such as rapid weight loss, can also increase the risk of gallstones. Trauma or infection may affect the chemical composition of bile, thereby promoting the formation of stones.

There are several ways to treat gallstones, depending on the severity of symptoms and the size of the stones. Medical treatment can use ursodeoxycholic acid to help dissolve small stones, but it is only suitable for non-calcified cholesterol stones and has limited effect. Surgical treatment mainly includes laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is considered the best treatment for recurrent gallstones because it can eliminate the stones. For elderly or high-risk patients who are not suitable for surgery, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can also be an option to minimize the risk. Daily dietary adjustments can help reduce the occurrence of stones, and appropriate exercise such as brisk walking or swimming can help maintain a healthy weight, thereby reducing the risk of gallstone formation.

Pay attention to your health, especially patients with symptoms of gallstones should seek medical attention in time. When seeking medical attention, patients should tell the doctor in detail about their symptoms and their diet and lifestyle habits during the attack so that the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and treatment. If the symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical help immediately to avoid serious complications. For patients with gallstones who do not have symptoms, regular checkups are also necessary to monitor the condition and take appropriate preventive measures. I hope that every patient can face this disease with a positive attitude and choose a suitable treatment plan under the guidance of a professional doctor.