Gallstones

Q Is it realistically possible to manage gallstones without surgery? Can Korean medicine treatment alone be enough?

A. Small asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic gallstones can be observed with dietary management and Korean medicine treatment as a supplement. However, gallstones with recurrent pain, high complication risk require surgical treatment, and Korean medicine treatment alone has its limits.

Q Can Korean medicine prevent gallstone recurrence? I heard recurrence can happen even after surgery.

A. After laparoscopic cholecystectomy there is no recurrence within the gallbladder, but bile duct stone recurrence is reported at around 10-20%. Combining choleretic herbal medicine with post-surgical dietary management and weight control can help suppress the re-formation of stones within the bile duct.

Q I heard gallstones can also cause pancreatitis. Can both occur at the same time?

A. Gallstone pancreatitis occurs when a stone lodged in the bile duct blocks the opening of the pancreatic duct. If sudden upper abdominal pain radiates to the back accompanied by vomiting, go to the emergency room immediately.

Q I was told I have both fatty liver and gallstones. Can both conditions be managed together?

A. Fatty liver and gallstones share common causes: obesity, high-fat diet, and insulin resistance. A low-fat, high-fiber diet and weight control are effective for both, and Korean medicine can support liver and gallbladder function together.

Q After meals, my upper right abdomen feels sore and painful. What can I do at home to feel a little better?

A. Sitting upright or keeping the torso erect helps bile flow, and applying a warm compress lightly under the right ribs can temporarily relieve pain. If the pain persists more than 30 minutes or is very severe, you must visit an emergency room immediately.

Q How should I manage day-to-day to prevent gallstones from getting larger or symptoms from worsening?

A. A low-fat, high-fiber diet, regular meals, maintaining a healthy weight, and adequate hydration are key. Avoid drastic weight changes and prolonged fasting, and regular physical activity benefits gallbladder motility.

Q I have gallstones. What symptoms should make me go to the hospital right away? I want to know the danger signs.

A. Severe right upper abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), and high fever with chills above 38.5°C are signs that require an immediate emergency room visit. These are signs of acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, or gallbladder abscess — emergency situations.

Q Is it okay to become pregnant while having gallstones? What should I do if gallstone symptoms appear during pregnancy?

A. During pregnancy, changes in estrogen and progesterone raise the risk of gallstone formation and worsening. If there are no symptoms, observation is the rule, but if severe abdominal pain, jaundice, or high fever occurs, you must seek obstetric and surgical care immediately.

Q I was prescribed ursodeoxycholic acid by a gastroenterologist. Is it okay to take herbal medicine at the same time?

A. Taking both is possible if spaced apart in time. We generally advise taking herbal medicine and Western medicine at 1–2 hour intervals. Please inform us of any medications you are taking during your consultation so the herbal formula can be adjusted accordingly.

Q A gallstone was found but I have no symptoms so I am under observation for now. How long can I wait?

A. More than half of asymptomatic gallstones cause no problems throughout life. However, symptoms develop in 1–2% per year and can progress to cholecystitis, cholangitis, or pancreatitis, so regular ultrasound follow-up is important.

Q I still have digestive discomfort after cholecystectomy. Can Korean medicine treatment help after surgery?

A. After gallbladder removal, bile flows continuously into the small intestine, which can cause digestive discomfort, diarrhea, and bloating. Korean medicine treatment that supplements digestive function and liver-gallbladder qi can help improve post-surgery symptoms.

Q Why do gallstones form? I am a woman in my 30s who was suddenly diagnosed.

A. Gallstones form when cholesterol in bile becomes supersaturated or when bile stagnates in the gallbladder or bile ducts and crystallizes. Female hormones, obesity, pregnancy, and rapid weight loss are major risk factors, and gallstones are relatively common in women in their 30s–40s.

Q I heard that obesity causes gallstones, but can gallstones also form during dieting?

A. Both obesity and rapid weight loss increase the risk of gallstones. During rapid weight loss, the concentration of cholesterol in bile rises sharply and gallbladder motility decreases, making stone formation more likely.

Q Eating fatty food always causes pain in my upper right abdomen. What foods trigger gallstone symptoms?

A. High-fat meals cause strong gallbladder contraction, increasing the risk of a gallstone blocking the cystic duct. Pork belly, fried food, butter, and cream are major triggers; small frequent meals and a low-fat diet are the basic management approach.

Q I work near Dong-incheon and often eat at Chinese restaurants or snack bars for lunch. Are there specific foods people with gallstones should avoid?

A. Salty and greasy food and refined carbohydrates (white rice, noodles, fried food) eaten frequently raise cholesterol concentration in bile. Switching to vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat protein, and keeping regular mealtimes is important.

Q I was advised to have surgery but could not decide right away. How does visiting the Korean medicine clinic work in the meantime?

A. During the observation period before surgery, we visit 1–2 times per week and take herbal medicine together to support gallbladder function. Visit intervals are adjusted according to symptom changes, and if emergency warning signs appear, we immediately refer for surgical care.

Q What is the treatment sequence after a gallstone diagnosis? At what stage is Korean medicine treatment best?

A. In conventional medicine, ultrasound and CT are used to assess stone size and location, and watchful waiting, drug dissolution, ERCP, or laparoscopic surgery is decided step by step based on symptoms. Korean medicine treatment works well as a supplement during the watchful waiting stage or during recovery after surgery.

Q I heard that herbal medicine can dissolve gallstones. Is that really possible?

A. Korean medicine treatment is not about completely dissolving gallstones, but rather excels at relieving pain and digestive discomfort and promoting smooth bile flow by supporting gallbladder function. Complete removal belongs to the realm of surgical treatment or drug dissolution therapy.