What is cholecystitis, what is it like and how to treat it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The case when the best way out is surgery.

Cholecystitis Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder.

Why does cholecystitis occur?

Cholecystitis gallbladder is a small sac located in the right hypochondrium. It stores bile, which is produced by the liver.

Bile is essential for the digestion of fats. When we eat, the bladder contracts and its contents are sent through small channels (ducts) into the small intestine. In it, bile is mixed with food and is included in the digestive process.

But sometimes the accumulated bile cannot leave the bladder. This is most often due to stones, one of which is blocking the duct. Bile becomes more and more, it stagnates, bacteria begin to multiply in it. This is how the inflammation begins.

Other causes of Cholecystitis can also lead to inflammation: swelling, viral infection, kinking and scarring of the bile ducts, damage to the blood vessels.

What are the symptoms of cholecystitis

There are two types of cholecystitis - acute and chronic.

In most cases, cholecystitis makes itself felt after eating, especially if you have a heavy meal or something fatty.

What are the symptoms of acute cholecystitis

The main symptom of Cholecystitis in acute gallbladder inflammation is sudden pain in the upper abdomen on the right or center. It is often accompanied by additional symptoms.

• The pain radiates to the right shoulder or shoulder blade.
• Painful sensations increase over time, reaching a maximum in 15-60 minutes. Cholecystitis after the onset of the attack.
• It hurts to touch the stomach.
• Nauseous, sometimes up to vomiting.
• The temperature rises.
• In some cases, jaundice occurs: the skin and whites of the eyes become yellowish.

In case of signs of acute cholecystitis, an ambulance should be called. The fact is that the bile accumulating in the inflamed bladder can break through its walls, the infection will spread to the mucous membrane of the abdomen and a deadly peritonitis will occur.

What are the symptoms of chronic cholecystitis

Sometimes acute cholecystitis goes blurry: the pain seems bearable and after a while it stops by itself. This happens, for example, if the stone was small, turned around or jumped out of the duct, and the outflow of bile was resumed. But these attacks can be repeated.

If you do not pay attention to painful sensations in the right hypochondrium, chronic cholecystitis Chronic cholecystitis can develop. It is swelling and irritation of the gallbladder caused by recurrent but subtle attacks of acute cholecystitis.

Due to constant inflammation, the walls of the bladder scar, thicken, and the organ itself gradually loses its ability to accumulate, store and excrete bile. In addition, at any time, chronic cholecystitis can become acute.

It is rather difficult to recognize the "chronicle" on your own. Therefore, if you notice that pain appears from time to time in the right hypochondrium, even if it is mild, be sure to consult a doctor - a therapist or gastroenterologist.

How to treat cholecystitis

First, you need to establish a diagnosis. For this patient, Cholecystitis is examined. Diagnosis and Treatment:

• A blood test is done to look for signs of inflammation and gallbladder problems.
• An abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan of the gallbladder is done. This helps to detect signs of cholecystitis or gallstones.
• Trace the movement of bile. This procedure is called a gallbladder scintigraphy (HIDA-SCANNING) of the gallbladder. With the help of a dye that attaches to the cells of the bile, doctors observe exactly how it flows and whether there are any obstacles in its path.

How is acute cholecystitis treated?

This always happens in the hospital. Most often, doctors use the so-called active-expectant tactic, the Protocol for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Cholecystitis, designed to relieve symptoms and prevent complications. It includes:

• bed rest;
• fasting to relieve the load on the inflamed bile;
• Intravenous fluids to keep you hydrated
• local anesthesia, such as applying a cold heating pad to the right hypochondrium;
• taking antispasmodics and pain relievers if necessary;
• taking antibiotics;
• removal of stones blocking the bile ducts.

With this treatment, symptoms diminish after 2–3 days. In theory, at this stage, the patient can be discharged from the hospital. But in practice, doctors often insist on surgical removal of the gallbladder - cholecystectomy.

This is due to the fact that in 25% of patients an attack of acute cholecystitis recurs within a year. 60% - within six years.

In order not to risk it, it is better to get rid of a survivor of gallbladder inflammation. The operation will not affect the quality of life. It is quite possible to live without this organ: the bile necessary for digestion will enter the small intestine directly from the liver.

How is chronic cholecystitis treated?

Cholecystectomy only.

How not to get cholecystitis

You are at risk if Cholecystitis:

• you are over 60 years old;
• you are pregnant or have been pregnant several times in the past;
• you are taking birth control pills or are on estrogen replacement therapy;
• you are overweight;
• you lost weight too quickly;
• you have a lot of fatty foods in your diet.

Unfortunately, you can't do anything with age. As with pregnancies. But other risk factors are quite amenable to correction. This is what the experts at the American Mayo Clinic recommend Cholecystitis for the prevention of cholecystitis.

1. Control your weight

Ideally, your body mass index should not exceed 24, 9. Walk more often, exercise, eat less fast food.

2. Lose weight slowly

If you need to lose weight, try to lose no more than 1 kg per week.

3. Watch your diet

If your diet is high in fat and low in fiber, your risk of gallstones increases rapidly. Try to satisfy your hunger often with vegetables, fruits and whole grains.