Inflammation of the gallbladder is called cholecystitis. A small pear-shaped organ located on the right side of the abdomen below the liver is called the gallbladder. This organ holds bile (a digestive fluid) that when needed is released into the small intestine.
One of the most common causes of cholecystitis is gallstones that block the tube out of the gallbladder. As a result, the digestive fluids start to build up and provoke inflammation. Other possible causes of cholecystitis include bile duct issues, tumors, serious health conditions, and infections.
If you ignore the symptoms and do not get treatment for this health problem, you may experience life-threatening complications (including gallbladder rupture). Commonly doctors treat cholecystitis by performing surgery to remove it.
Symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Abdominal tenderness
- Pain that can spread to the right shoulder or back
- Severe pain in the center or right part of the belly (abdomen)
This condition usually happens after a meal, especially after a fatty one. Immediately seek medical care if you experience severe abdominal pain.
Causes
When the gallbladder becomes inflamed it is considered you have cholecystitis. Check below some causes of gallbladder inflammation:
- Gallstones – This is the most common cause of cholecystitis. Gallstones are certain hard particles that develop in the gallbladder and block the cystic duct through which bile flows leaving the gallbladder. Thus, the digestive fluid begins to build up causing inflammation.
- Tumors – Certain growths (tumors) not necessarily cancerous also can prevent the bile from draining out of the gallbladder.
- Bile duct blockage – Sometimes, thickened bile and tiny particles (sludge) or stones block the bile duct causing inflammation. Scarring of the bile ducts also can lead to this health problem.
- Infections – Certain infections including AIDS and others can provoke inflammation of the gallbladder.
- Severe health conditions – People who experience severe conditions, especially those that damage blood vessels also can experience cholecystitis. It occurs due to reduced blood flow to the gallbladder usually.
In addition, the primary risk factor for gallbladder inflammation is gallstones.
Complications
People who do not get treatment and ignore the symptoms may experience some serious complications. These include:
- Infection within the gallbladder – The bile that builds up within the gallbladder and causes cholecystitis can become inflamed.
- Gallbladder tissue death – People who do not treat cholecystitis may experience gangrene (gallbladder tissue begins to die). It is one of the most common complications, especially among older people. It may also lead to a tear in the gallbladder or it can burst.
- Torn gallbladder – Some people may experience a perforation (tear) in the gallbladder, which is usually caused by swelling of the gallbladder, infections, or gangrene.
How to Prevent Cholecystitis?
Check below some steps that could help you prevent cholecystitis:
- Lose weight slowly – People who lose weight fast are at increased risk of gallstones.
- Try to get and maintain a healthy weight – Those who are overweight are more prone to develop gallstones. To get a healthy weight it is advised to reduce calories and increase physical activity. If you are facing problems with losing weight, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
- Adopt a healthy diet – Try to avoid foods high in fat and low in fiber. You should include in your diet more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Diagnosis
Physicians usually diagnose cholecystitis based on symptoms and several tests and procedures. These include:
- Blood tests – These tests are done to check for infections or gallbladder problems.
- Imaging tests – These include CT (computerized tomography) scans or MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) scans. Previous scans can show gallstones and blocked bile ducts.
- Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan – This scan helps to track the bile flow from the liver to the small intestine. To perform this scan, doctors will inject you with a radioactive dye. This is an effective procedure to determine bile duct blockages.
Treatment
People with this health problem usually need to stay in the hospital to control inflammation. In some cases, doctors may recommend surgery. Check below some common treatment options recommended by doctors for people with cholecystitis:
- Fasting – This is a diet in which you should not eat or drink to decrease strain on the inflamed gallbladder.
- IV (intravenous) fluids – You may receive certain fluids intravenously to prevent dehydration.
- Antibiotics – These medicines are prescribed by doctors to treat infections of the gallbladder.
- Painkillers – Some people experience severe abdominal pain so, doctors may prescribe some pain relievers.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) – This is a procedure in which doctors remove stones and help to unblock the bile ducts or cystic ducts.
- Gallbladder drainage – Sometimes, when surgery is not possible, doctors may perform a procedure called gallbladder drainage (cholecystostomy) to remove the infection. It is done through the skin on the belly (percutaneous) or through the mouth (endoscopic).
Commonly, symptoms improve within several days after treatment begins but inflammation can return. In such cases, surgery is required.
Surgery
Commonly, the surgery called cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder is minimally invasive and involves several small cuts (incisions) in the belly (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). A long incision to remove the gallbladder is rarely needed.
The duration of cholecystectomy is different among patients because it depends on the severity of the symptoms and the overall risk of complications during and after surgery. Usually, people with reduced surgical risk, experience this surgery while staying in the hospital.
After surgery to remove the gallbladder, the bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine. As a result, you still digest food even without the gallbladder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods should be avoided by people with cholecystitis?
Doctors recommend to avoid foods high in fat. Examples include:
- Chocolate
- Whole milk
- Ice cream
- Processed cheese
- Egg yolks
- Fried, deep-fried, or buttered foods
For more details, discuss it with your physician.
What can be mistaken for gallbladder pain?
In some cases, it is challenging to diagnose this condition. There are some doctors who may mistake a stomach ulcer, acid reflux, or a heart attack for gallbladder pain. However, tests used to diagnose cholecystitis can determine the exact cause of pain.
What are the possible complications of cholecystitis?
These include:
- Bleeding
- Bile duct blockage due to stones
- Intraabdominal abscess
- Biloma
- Small intestine or bile duct injury
- Infection
- Hepatic injury
Ask your doctor if you have additional questions.
