Gallstones refer to a series of diseases caused by stones in the biliary system. According to the location and size of the stones, cholelithiasis can be divided into gallstones, bile duct stones, etc. Gallstone disease seriously endangers the health of patients and may even lead to life-threatening situations. Therefore, understanding the symptoms and prevention methods of gallstones is crucial. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the symptoms and prevention of gallstones.
1、 Symptoms of cholelithiasis
The symptoms of cholelithiasis mainly include the following:
1. Gallbladder colic: Gallbladder colic is the most common symptom of cholelithiasis. When patients change their position after a full meal, eating greasy food, or during sleep, due to gallbladder contraction or stone displacement combined with vagus nerve excitation, stones are trapped in the ampulla or neck of the gallbladder, obstructing gallbladder emptying, increasing pressure inside the gallbladder, and causing strong gallbladder contraction and cramping. The pain is located in the upper right abdomen or upper abdomen, presenting as paroxysmal or continuously worsening pain. It can radiate to the right scapula and back, and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
2. Upper abdominal pain: Most patients experience upper abdominal or right upper abdominal pain, bloating discomfort, belching, hiccup, etc. when overeating, consuming high-fat foods, working hard, or resting poorly, which is easily misdiagnosed as stomach disease.
3. Gallbladder effusion: When gallstones are trapped or block the cystic duct for a long time without concurrent infection, the gallbladder mucosa absorbs bile pigments in the bile, secretes mucinous substances, and forms gallbladder effusion. The fluid is transparent and colorless, also known as white bile.
4. Fear of cold and fever: During the onset of gallstones, patients may experience symptoms such as fear of cold and fever.
5. Radiation pain in the shoulder and back: Gallstone pain can radiate to the right scapula and back.
6. Complications and Symptoms: When gallstones are complicated with infection, complications such as acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, etc. may occur, accompanied by corresponding symptoms.
It should be noted that the symptoms of gallstones vary among individuals, with some patients possibly asymptomatic while in some cases, the symptoms may be more severe.
2、 Prevention of cholelithiasis
1. Drink plenty of water: Ensure a daily water intake of around 1800 milliliters, which can help promote urination and quickly eliminate substances that are prone to stones from the body.
2. Dietary adjustment: Eat less cholesterol rich foods, such as controlling the intake of meat and animal organs. Maintain a light diet and avoid greasy foods to reduce the saturation of cholesterol in bile.
3. Maintain healthy lifestyle habits: quit smoking and drinking, and avoid gallstones caused by long-term heavy alcohol consumption. Actively participate in physical exercise, such as running, walking, swimming, playing ball games, etc., to reduce the incidence of obesity and overweight.
4. Regulate emotions: Maintain a happy mood and avoid excessive emotional fluctuations.
5. Ensure three meals are scheduled and quantified: avoid excessive dieting to lose weight and prevent gallstones caused by irregular eating habits.
6. Avoid prolonged sitting: Prolonged sitting may lead to poor bile emptying and increase the risk of gallstones.
7. Weight control: Avoid obesity, as obese individuals have a higher risk of developing gallstones.
8. Actively prevent and treat intestinal parasites and bacterial infections: Intestinal parasites and bacterial infections may lead to inflammation of the biliary system, thereby increasing the risk of gallstones.
9. Avoid using drugs that affect the lipid composition of bile, such as phospholipids, to avoid affecting the normal metabolism of bile.
10. Regular physical examination: For high-risk groups or older individuals, it is recommended to undergo regular gallbladder ultrasound examination to detect and prevent gallstones in a timely manner.
III Treatment of cholelithiasis
1. Medication therapy: For mild cholelithiasis, anti-inflammatory and choleretic drugs can be used for treatment. This type of medication has no significant side effects on the body and has a clearing effect on gallstones. In addition, there are some traditional Chinese medicines used to treat gallstones, such as Bupleurum chinense, Rhubarb, Gentiana scabra, etc.
2. Surgical treatment: For patients with large gallstones and recurrent cholecystitis, it is recommended to choose surgical treatment, such as cholecystectomy or cholecystostomy. For bile duct stones, bile duct incision or stent implantation can be performed.
3. Endoscopic treatment: For bile duct stones, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) technique can be used for treatment. Enter the bile duct through duodenoscopy and remove the stone. For stubborn stones in high positions, multiple surgeries may be required.
4. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment: Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of cholelithiasis mainly adopts Chinese medicine decoction, Chinese medicine application, acupuncture and moxibustion and other methods, and the main treatment principle is to soothe the liver, promote gallbladder and relieve pain by fossils.
In short, gallstones are a disease that seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Understanding its symptoms and prevention methods can help with early detection, early treatment, and reduce the risk of complications. Strengthening preventive measures and maintaining good lifestyle habits in daily life are key to preventing and treating gallstones. At the same time, seeking medical attention in a timely manner and following the doctor's treatment recommendations are also important means to reduce the risk of disease.