How to relieve pain during a gallstone attack
Disease description:
I've had gallstones for over a month, with occasional pain that's quite distressing. I'm not sure what to do. May I ask, what is an appropriate way to quickly relieve pain caused by gallstones?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Gao Jun
When a gallstone attack occurs, the main methods for pain relief are as follows:
1. Rest: Patients should get adequate rest and avoid intense physical activity or strenuous labor, which helps reduce pain caused by abnormal contractions of the bile ducts.
2. Heat application: Apply a hot water bottle or warm towel to the painful area to improve blood circulation and help relieve discomfort.
3. Medication: Pain-relieving drugs can be taken orally, such as Western medicines including ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, and indomethacin capsules, or traditional Chinese medicines like Dan Ning tablets and Li Dan Pai Shi tablets. These medications work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis or promoting bile flow and stone expulsion, thereby relieving pain.
4. Surgical treatment: If the above measures fail to alleviate the pain, surgical options such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be considered to resolve the problem at its root.
