Cholecystitis Symptoms and Treatment

The gallbladder stores a substance called bile and secretes it into the intestines after eating a heavy or fatty meal to help digest it. However, sometimes stones form inside this gallbladder, trapping the bile inside it, leading to inflammation and swelling, which can cause serious complications if not treated quickly. (1 ) What are the cholecystitis symptoms? How can it be treated?

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Cholecystitis symptoms

The common cholecystitis symptoms are: (2 )

• ?Epigastric Pain or pain in the upper right part of the abdomen near the gallbladder and liver, which may radiate to the back or right shoulder, and gets worse after eating a fatty or high-fat meal.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• High body temperature, sometimes with chills.
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, or pale/clay-colored stools.

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The symptoms of cholecystitis may be similar to other conditions, such as heartburn, hepatitis, or other problems.

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Should I see a doctor?

If you develop sudden, severe epigastric pain or pain in the abdomen that lasts for several hours, or is accompanied by one of the previous symptoms, you should see a doctor or emergency department as soon as possible as cholecystitis is an emergency condition that must be treated as soon as possible to prevent serious complications, such as gallbladder perforation, or the spread of inflammation to other organs. (5 )

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Acute or chronic cholecystitis?

Cholecystitis is divided into two types: (3 )

• Acute cholecystitis: This is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder, causing symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms are often severe and obvious and require immediate treatment. Acute cholecystitis is caused by gallstones in at least 95% of cases.
• Chronic cholecystitis: This type of inflammation is milder in pain and does not last for long hours, but the pain attacks recur over a long period of time. It usually occurs as a result of small gallstones, or because of recurrent episodes of acute cholecystitis in the past without a radical solution.

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How is cholecystitis treated?

The patient must be admitted to the hospital as soon as possible when suffering from cholecystitis to monitor his condition well for fear of it suddenly rupturing and bursting. Treatment usually begins with giving antibiotics and intravenous fluids, while preventing oral feed (especially fats) until his condition stabilizes and the symptoms subside. (4 )

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The majority of cases require cholecystectomy, either immediately if the condition is severe, or scheduled for a later time in fairly stable cases. Surgery is considered the best solution for most cases of cholecystitis for two reasons: (2 )(4 )

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• Recurrence of cholecystitis. About 25% of people who develop acute cholecystitis will have another attack within one year, and 60% of them will have another attack within 6 years, or they may end up with chronic cholecystitis, which only requires surgery to treat.
• A person can live normally without a gallbladder and his life is not affected; Because the liver is the one that makes bile, and the gallbladder is just a storage place.

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The General Surgery Department at Al-Ahly Hospital is distinguished by having the most skilled surgeons in the field of treating and removing the gallbladder and using modern techniques and advanced medical equipment, to achieve the best results and comprehensive care for each patient.

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References:

1. MedlinePlus: Acute Cholecystitis
2. Harvard Medical School: Cholecystitis
3. MSD Manuals: Cholecystitis
4. Medscape: Acute Cholecystitis
5. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf: Acute Cholecystitis