overview
Gallbladder, liver and biliary tract
Gallbladder and Bile Duct Open popup dialog
Cholecystitis (ko-luh-sis-TIE-tis) is inflammation of the gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ on the right side of your stomach, below your liver. The gallbladder contains digestive fluid that is released into your small intestine (bile).
In most cases, gallstones blocking the tube leading out of your gallbladder cause cholecystitis. This leads to the build-up of bile, which can cause inflammation. Other cholecystitis include bile duct problems, tumors, serious illnesses, and some infections.
symptoms
The signs and symptoms of cholecystitis can include:
- Severe pain in the upper right or middle abdomen
- Pain that spreads to the right shoulder or back
- Tenderness on your stomach when touched
- nausea
- Vomit
The reasons
Cholecystitis occurs when your gallbladder becomes inflamed. Inflammation of the gallbladder can be caused by:
- Gallstones. Most commonly, cholecystitis is the result of hard particles growing in your gallbladder (gallstones). Gallstones can block the tube (cystic duct) that bile flows through when it leaves the gallbladder. The bile builds up and causes inflammation.
- Tumor. A tumor can prevent bile from properly flowing out of your gallbladder, causing bile to build up, which can lead to cholecystitis.
- Blockage of the biliary tract. Wrinkles or scarring of the biliary tract can cause blockages that lead to cholecystitis.
Risk factors
Gallstones are the main risk factor for developing cholecystitis.
Complications
Cholecystitis can cause a number of serious complications, including:
- Infection in the gallbladder. When bile builds up in your gallbladder and causes cholecystitis, the bile can become infected.
- Death of the gallbladder tissue. Untreated cholecystitis can lead to the death of gallbladder tissue (gangrene). It is the most common complication, especially in the elderly, patients awaiting treatment, and those with diabetes. This can cause the gallbladder to tear or cause your gallbladder to burst.
- Torn gallbladder. A tear (perforation) in your gallbladder can be the result of gallbladder swelling, infection, or tissue death.
preventions
You can lower your risk of cholecystitis by following these steps to prevent gallstones:
- Lose weight slowly. Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of gallstones. If you need to lose weight, try to lose 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to about 1 kilogram) a week.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, you are more likely to develop gallstones. To achieve a healthy weight, cut down on calories and increase your physical activity. Maintain a healthy weight by continuing to eat well and exercise. Inflamed gallbladder Treatment in Hyderabad