Be loyal to each other? Abdominal pain, high liver index, be careful of gallstones!

Gallstones are a common digestive tract disease, with an increasing number of patients and a younger age trend in recent years. Dr. Hong Hongchang, director of Nantou Hospital and a hepatobiliary gastroenterologist, pointed out that if abdominal pain and high liver index occur, be careful as it may be a warning sign of gallstones. It is recommended that people, in addition to exercising regularly and eating less high-fat and high-oil foods, should also control their weight to avoid obesity.

Dr. Hong Hongchang (pictured) stressed that if abdominal pain occurs and liver index soars, be careful as it may be a warning sign of gallstones. (Photo provided by Nantou Hospital)

A 35-year-old woman surnamed Li from Nantou went to the hospital for upper abdominal pain. A blood test revealed that her liver index was elevated, with GPT exceeding 500 IU/L (normal value is 7~35 IU/L). She also suffered from gallstones and complications of acute hepatitis and acute cholecystitis. After the doctor removed the gallbladder and gallstones through laparoscopy, her liver index dropped.

Gallstones: "Preferring girls over boys"

Dr. Hong Hongchang, director of Nantou Hospital and a hepatobiliary gastroenterologist, said that as the Taiwanese diet becomes increasingly Westernized, the incidence of gallstones is on the rise. According to journal research, the incidence of gallstones in the country tends to increase year by year, and the age of patients also tends to be younger. The incidence rate of females is twice that of males, which seems to be "favoring females over males."

It is worth noting that because of the close relationship between the liver and gallbladder, the liver produces and secretes bile, which is sent to the gallbladder through the bile duct for temporary storage, and then sent to the duodenum for absorption and digestion. If gallstones block the gallbladder outlet or bile duct, it may cause liver function abnormalities such as cholecystitis, cholangitis or acute hepatitis, so people must be careful.

People with gallstones should eat less high-fat foods and control their weight to avoid obesity.

Gallstone risk factors are many and the pain is unbearable

Dr. Hong Hongchang emphasized that gallstones are closely related to eating habits. In addition to congenital genes, risk factors also include pregnancy, hormone therapy, old age, obesity, high triglycerides, low high-density cholesterol, rapid weight loss, high-calorie food intake, lack of exercise, cirrhosis, diabetes, etc.

Most patients with early or smaller gallstones do not have obvious symptoms. Once discomfort begins to appear, they often have symptoms such as right upper abdominal pain, fullness or dull pain in the upper abdomen, occasional hiccups, nausea and vomiting, and even further pain in the back or back shoulders. This sudden severe pain is often unbearable for patients.

Eat a light diet and don't forget to control your weight

Currently, the use of laparoscopy for minimally invasive cholecystectomy has a lower mortality rate than traditional surgery, and can shorten hospitalization time and reduce tissue damage. Cholecystectomy does not affect the functioning of the body's major life-sustaining systems. After the wound heals, daily activities and routines will be similar to those of normal people and will not be much different.

Doctors remind that since bile mainly digests fatty foods, the diet after gallbladder removal must be light. It is recommended to adopt a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and eat more foods containing vitamin A, such as green vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. You should eat more fruits such as bananas and apples, and control your weight. People can also consult doctors and nutritionists to get practical guidelines tailored to each person's physical condition.