Acute Cholecystitis

January 25, 2019

Acute Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder, an organ located below the liver that helps the body digest the fats. Acute Cholecystitis is a serious condition that needs medical attention right away. It is one of the major complications of gallstones.

Causes of Acute Cholecystitis

The common cause of acute Cholecystitis is gallstones and damages to the gallbladder.

  • Calculous Cholecystitis– caused by gallstones that blocks the gallbladder
  • Acalculous Cholecystitis– caused by injury that damages the gallbladder or serious type of illnesses

Risk Factors of Acute Cholecystitis

Risk factors include:

  • Severe illnesses or tumor
  • Women who develop gallstones
  • Age
  • Malnutrition
  • AIDS
  • Blood poisoning or Sepsis

Symptoms of Acute Cholecystitis

Acute Cholecystitis symptoms include excruciating pain in the abdomen that lasts for several hours. Other symptoms are:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Clay-colored stool
  • Yellowing of the skin and the white of the eye

Acute Cholecystitis Diagnosis

Diagnosis is done by doctors by examining the abdomen. Other test includes:

Acute Cholecystitis Treatment

Initial treatment involves fasting to rest the gallbladder and by receiving fluid through IV to prevent dehydration. If there is an infection, your doctors may give you an antibiotic and a pain reliever medication.

If your condition keeps on recurring, your doctor may recommend surgery to treat your condition. You will be given pain medications to minimize the pain and antibiotics to fight infections.

Acute Cholecystitis Complications

Possible complications if left untreated include:

  • Splitting over of the gallbladder which can spread infections within the abdomen
  • Death of the tissue of the gallbladder which can cause infections throughout the body

Prevention Tips for Acute Cholecystitis

Preventing Acute Cholecystitis is not always possible but you can reduce your risk of having this kind of illness by cutting your risk of gallstone.

  • Adopt a healthy, balanced diet
  • Refrain from eating foods high in cholesterol
  • Watch your weight-being obese or overweight increases your risk of developing gallstones.
  • Exercise regularly
  • Have a gradual weight loss plan