How should gallstones be treated?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 01, 2024
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For the treatment of gallstones, the decision mainly depends on whether there are symptoms and the size of the stones. Patients with small gallstones generally do not exhibit clear symptoms and are often discovered only through ultrasound. They do not require special treatment; regular follow-up ultrasounds to dynamically observe any changes in size are sufficient. In daily diet, it is advised to avoid food high in cholesterol and fats, and to maintain a light diet, which can better control the condition.

Patients with large gallstones often experience recurrent upper right abdominal pain and discomfort, which affects their quality of life. Treatment can include the use of antibiotics to manage infections. Once the inflammation is controlled, the condition can be alleviated, but recurrences are common, necessitating eventual surgical removal of the gallstones to achieve a better treatment outcome. Primarily, complete removal of the gallbladder through surgery can potentially cure the condition.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
1min 1sec home-news-image

How should gallstones be treated?

For the treatment of gallstones, the decision mainly depends on whether there are symptoms and the size of the stones. Patients with small gallstones generally do not exhibit clear symptoms and are often discovered only through ultrasound. They do not require special treatment; regular follow-up ultrasounds to dynamically observe any changes in size are sufficient. In daily diet, it is advised to avoid food high in cholesterol and fats, and to maintain a light diet, which can better control the condition. Patients with large gallstones often experience recurrent upper right abdominal pain and discomfort, which affects their quality of life. Treatment can include the use of antibiotics to manage infections. Once the inflammation is controlled, the condition can be alleviated, but recurrences are common, necessitating eventual surgical removal of the gallstones to achieve a better treatment outcome. Primarily, complete removal of the gallbladder through surgery can potentially cure the condition.

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home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
50sec home-news-image

Do gallstones need to be removed?

Whether or not gallstones need to be removed depends mainly on whether there are symptoms and the size of the stones. For patients with gallstones smaller than four centimeters, they generally do not exhibit obvious symptoms and do not require special treatment. They can have regular follow-up ultrasound exams to dynamically observe any changes in the condition. Of course, they should avoid spicy and irritating foods in their diet to reduce inflammatory stimuli, which is beneficial in controlling the condition. For patients with larger gallstones, who repeatedly experience discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen, it is necessary to remove the gallbladder through surgery to achieve a cure. The preferred method of surgery is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as it has the advantages of a smaller incision, less damage, and quicker recovery.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
57sec home-news-image

Can gallstones turn into cancer?

If gallstones are not treated promptly, the probability of developing gallbladder cancer is higher than in healthy individuals. Long-term untreated gallstones can irritate the gallbladder, leading to decreased gallbladder function and causing cancerous changes. Chronic thickening of the gallbladder wall can occur from prolonged episodes of gallstones, worsening inflammation, which can lead to more severe inflammation of the gallbladder mucosa and result in cancerous changes. In fact, gallstones are an important factor in the development of gallbladder cancer. However, not all patients with gallbladder cancer have gallstones, but clinically, about 70% of patients with gallbladder cancer have concurrent gallstones. Therefore, even if patients with gallstones do not exhibit symptoms, they should be particularly cautious and undergo regular physical examinations annually to detect problems early and treat them promptly.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
58sec home-news-image

Gallbladder stones incidence rate in men and women

Understanding the gender differences in the prevalence of various diseases has important practical significance for the occurrence, development, and prevention of diseases. Research in this area has gradually gained attention from health prevention workers and provides a scientific basis for health prevention efforts. Various clinical studies indicate that the prevalence of gallstones is significantly higher in women than in men, with an incidence ratio of about 3:1 in the affected population. With economic development, people's lifestyles and dietary structures have undergone tremendous changes, leading to an increasing trend in the incidence of gallstones. In China, approximately 8%-11% of patients suffer from gallstones, predominantly obese women around forty years old, often referred to by the three Fs: fat, forty, female.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What is good to eat for gallstones?

Patients with gallbladder stones should primarily observe the following dietary guidelines: First, it is particularly important for patients with gallbladder stones to avoid spicy and stimulating foods such as chili peppers, barbecues, and garlic. A diet primarily composed of mild foods, supplemented by fresh vegetables and fruits, can better control the onset of the condition. Second, patients with gallbladder stones can also appropriately include protein-rich foods such as eggs, lean meats, and fish in their diet to enhance their immunity. Third, patients with gallbladder stones should avoid foods high in cholesterol and fats, such as animal offal and fatty meats. These foods might cause the stones to increase in size and lead to recurrent right upper abdominal pain and discomfort, thus requiring attention.