What department should I go to the hospital for if I have gallstones?
Gallstones are a common digestive system disease that mainly manifests as right upper quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. If you suspect you have gallstones, you should seek medical advice promptly. So, which department should gallstones be treated in? Below are detailed medical guidelines.
1. What department should be diagnosed for gallstones?
Gallstones are usually digestive system diseases, so it is recommended to give priority to the following departments:
| Department name | Applicable situations |
|---|---|
| Gastroenterology | It is suitable for patients with mild gallstone symptoms (such as indigestion, dull pain) who require medication or conservative treatment. |
| Hepatobiliary Surgery | Suitable for patients with severe pain caused by gallstones, cholecystitis or patients who require surgical treatment. |
| emergency department | It is suitable for patients with acute symptoms such as sudden severe abdominal pain, high fever, and jaundice. |
2. Common symptoms of gallstones
Symptoms of gallstones vary from person to person. Some patients may have no obvious symptoms, while others may experience the following symptoms:
| Symptoms | Description |
|---|---|
| right upper quadrant pain | The pain may radiate to the back or right shoulder, especially after eating greasy food. |
| Nausea, vomiting | Accompanied by abdominal pain, it may be caused by gallbladder contraction. |
| Jaundice | When gallstones block the bile ducts, the skin and whites of the eyes may turn yellow. |
| Fever, chills | May indicate cholecystitis or bile duct infection. |
3. Diagnostic Methods of Gallstones
Doctors usually diagnose gallstones based on symptoms and test results. Common test methods include:
| Check items | Description |
|---|---|
| B-ultrasound examination | The most commonly used non-invasive test that clearly shows stones in the gallbladder and bile ducts. |
| CT or MRI | Suitable for complex cases or cases where other lesions are suspected. |
| blood test | Test liver function, inflammation indicators, etc., and evaluate whether there is infection or bile duct obstruction. |
4. Treatment methods for gallstones
Treatment options for gallstones depend on the severity of the condition and include the following:
| Treatment | Applicable situations |
|---|---|
| drug treatment | Suitable for patients with asymptomatic or mild symptoms, such as oral stone dissolving drugs. |
| surgical treatment | Applicable to patients with recurrent or complicated cholecystitis, the common surgical procedure is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. |
| ERCP stone removal | It is suitable for common bile duct stones and can be used to remove stones through minimally invasive endoscopy. |
5. How to prevent gallstones?
The formation of gallstones is closely related to diet and living habits. The following measures can reduce the risk of the disease:
1.A balanced diet:Reduce your intake of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods and eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
2.Eat regularly:Avoid long periods of fasting and eat breakfast on time.
3.Control your weight:Obesity is a high risk factor for gallstones, and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent them.
4.Drink more water:Adequate water intake can promote bile excretion and reduce stone formation.
Summary:Patients with gallstones should seek treatment at the Department of Gastroenterology or Hepatobiliary Surgery based on their symptoms. In the event of an acute attack, they should go to the emergency department. After the diagnosis is confirmed through B-ultrasound and other examinations, the doctor will formulate a personalized treatment plan. Adjusting your diet and lifestyle habits is the key to preventing gallstones.
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