What to do if you have cholecystitis?

Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Cholecystitis usually occurs in people with gallstones or gallbladder polyps. Patients with cholecystitis generally experience discomfort and bloating pain in the upper right abdomen. Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the inner wall of the gallbladder, which can cause abdominal pain in mild cases and lead to bile stasis and suppurative cholecystitis in severe cases. The first step in treating cholecystitis is to actively use antibiotics. Those with cholecystitis should actively use antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also important to maintain a light diet and avoid consuming too many greasy foods. To prevent recurrence, it is generally recommended that patients take oral anti-inflammatory and bile-promoting tablets after cholecystitis symptoms are controlled. These medications can play a preventive role in patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis.

Other Voices

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
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Why is there nothing wrong with the B-ultrasound for cholecystitis?

As for why cholecystitis appears normal in an ultrasound, there are two possible reasons. One possibility is that the medical practitioner conducting the ultrasound may lack sufficient clinical experience to identify an inflamed gallbladder. Another reason could be limitations in the ultrasound equipment itself, which might fail to detect an inflamed gallbladder. There are very few cases where cholecystitis appears normal under ultrasound. The main ultrasound features of cholecystitis include gallbladder wall edema, roughness, and an enlarged gallbladder among other radiological changes. Once cholecystitis is diagnosed, it is crucial to undertake active treatment measures, such as aggressive anti-infection treatment, spasmodic pain relief, etc.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
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Can cholecystitis be cured?

Can cholecystitis be cured? The answer is definitely yes. Cholecystitis can be cured through either medical or surgical means. Firstly, if it is chronic cholecystitis without obvious clinical symptoms, one can prevent acute attacks by paying attention to their daily life, avoiding high-fat and high-calorie diets, and keeping warm. If it is acute cholecystitis, then acute anti-infection treatment is needed. Moreover, if the inflammation is severe and the gallbladder is significantly enlarged, or there is even a risk of perforation, then emergency surgical treatment is necessary at this time.

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Written by Xie Zheng Yuan
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Symptoms of acute cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis is a relatively common digestive system disease in clinical practice, often triggered by the presence of gallstones, leading to acute inflammation of the gallbladder. When an acute cholecystitis attack occurs, it typically presents as pain in the upper right abdomen, accompanied by fever, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, similar to symptoms of gastric discomfort. Additionally, if a gallstone falls and lodges in the cystic duct, or even in the common bile duct, it can cause jaundice, as indicated by the yellowing of the skin and sclera. During a physical examination, it might be possible to detect tenderness in the upper right abdomen, or even rebound tenderness. Another possible positive sign could be Murphy's sign, which are all common manifestations of acute cholecystitis.

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Written by Luo Han Ying
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Is cholecystitis hereditary?

Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder, which is related to dietary habits in our daily lives. For example, people who particularly enjoy oily foods, or generally eat in large quantities, or have irregular eating habits, such as those who often skip breakfast and eat meals inconsistently, are prone to developing cholecystitis. If we consider cholecystitis on its own, it actually does not have a genetic predisposition. However, cholecystitis is often seen in individuals who are obese and have irregular lifestyles, and such traits can typically be related to family habits. For instance, if parents and grandparents are overweight, their children are also likely to be overweight. Similarly, if one's lifestyle is irregular, characterized by inconsistent meals, it might be a reflection of the family's general irregular lifestyle. Therefore, children of parents who suffer from cholecystitis are also more likely to suffer from the condition, not due to genetics, but due to their body type, dietary habits, and family lifestyle practices.

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How to relieve gallblitis pain?

Gallbladder inflammation generally presents as sudden severe pain in the upper right abdomen, typically occurring after consuming a large amount of fatty foods or most frequently at night. The pain may radiate to the right shoulder or back, indicating gallbladder inflammation. For treatment, antispasmodic pain relief medications can be used. If these are ineffective, opiates like pethidine may be employed to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, it is necessary to perform routine blood tests and imaging, such as an abdominal CT scan or ultrasound, to confirm the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment should be pursued. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)