Neighbor Lao Wang underwent cholecystectomy and removal of bile duct stones twenty years ago due to concurrent intrahepatic bile duct stones. Afterwards, due to the recurrence of intrahepatic bile duct stones, Lao Wang underwent 5 surgical procedures, with scars crisscrossing the incisions in the upper and middle abdomen. Last December, during a follow-up examination, Lao Wang discovered a recurrence of intrahepatic bile duct stones. He was very afraid of having another surgery and adopted conservative anti-inflammatory treatment. During the six-month period, he repeatedly experienced chills, fever, abdominal pain, and skin and sclera jaundice that had deepened from shallow to deep. A few months ago, it was discovered that there were multiple stones near the hepatic portal bile duct anastomosis and in the left intrahepatic bile duct of Lao Wang, resulting in significant dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct. Lao Wang chose to undergo percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy lithotripsy to remove the stones, and finally successfully removed all of Lao Wang's intrahepatic bile duct stones.
So, what is intrahepatic bile duct stone and is it so prone to recurrence? How can we prevent it?
Firstly, it is necessary to understand what intrahepatic bile duct stones are. They refer to stones in the bile ducts above the confluence of the left and right hepatic ducts, which can easily cause biliary infections, obstruction, acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis, liver abscess, bile duct cancer, etc., endangering the patient's life. Stones are often brownish yellow or black, easily broken, and have a high bacterial content. The onset of the disease is mainly related to factors such as cholangitis, biliary roundworm infection, biliary tract malformation, and stenosis. In fact, some dietary factors can also induce the occurrence of intrahepatic bile duct stones, such as high-fat diet leading to increased cholesterol.
Why are intrahepatic bile duct stones so prone to recurrence?
The liver is the place where bile is produced, which flows through a series of bile ducts into the gallbladder and is stored there. The gallbladder is the easiest place for stones to form and is an important organ in the human body. Due to anatomical reasons, there are always some stones in the liver that cannot be removed. For example, cholangioscopy cannot enter smaller bile ducts to remove stones, and the remaining stones slowly grow and continue to cause symptoms. This is also why intrahepatic bile duct stones are difficult to cure and prone to recurrence. In addition, it is also related to dietary and personal factors. Some patients with liver and bile duct stones have poor physical condition and low immunity, which can lead to bacterial infection again and cause stone recurrence; Long term intake of fatty foods can accelerate the increase and formation of intrahepatic bile duct hydronephrosis.
How to prevent intrahepatic bile duct stones?
1. "Keep your mouth shut. Regular dietary habits can effectively prevent stone recurrence, avoid high calorie, high sugar, and high cholesterol diets, and avoid overeating or binge eating. In addition, pay attention to supplementing vegetables, fruits, etc. that are high in fiber, vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Avoid foods that are prone to gas production and limit foods with high fat and cholesterol content.
Reasonably arrange meals, eat three meals a day on time, especially breakfast. Eating a good breakfast is extremely important for patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones. The liver in the human body secretes bile, which is stored in the gallbladder. The function of bile is mainly to digest greasy food. If you don't eat breakfast, the bile secreted at night cannot be utilized, and it will remain in the gallbladder, causing poor bile excretion, which can stimulate the formation of stones in the intrahepatic bile duct or increase the size and quantity of the original stones. Therefore, it is best to eat foods containing vegetable oil for breakfast.
2. "Take a step forward". Young people can engage in sports appropriately, such as swimming, aerobics, badminton, running, table tennis, etc., based on their hobbies; Older people can choose exercises that are gentle and regular, without intense activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, Tai Chi, square dancing, etc. Stone disease is more common in people with excessive obesity, so reasonable exercise can help people control their weight, reduce excessive fat accumulation, and promote the normal functioning of internal organs, which is a necessary method to maintain health.
3. Maintain a happy spirit, scientifically arrange daily routines, balance work and rest, and avoid prolonged sitting at the desk.
4. Drink more water and exercise more. Drinking water can prevent all stones, while exercise can help with stone expulsion.
5. Actively prevent and treat cholecystitis, diabetes, nephritis and other diseases and parasitic infections, reasonably use hormones and lipid-lowering drugs, and try to avoid inducing factors.
6. Studies have shown that gallstones have a genetic predisposition. Therefore, if there are patients with gallstones in the family, they should pay more attention to a reasonable diet.