What are the symptoms when there are problems with the gallbladder?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Gallbladder issues, specifically symptoms of cholecystitis, mainly include chills, fever, persistent dull pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, episodic colic pain that radiates to the right shoulder and back, and may also be accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Patients with cholecystitis often experience sudden pain at night, typically due to overeating or consuming greasy foods. Once cholecystitis occurs, it is advised to seek medical attention at a regular hospital as soon as possible, complete the relevant diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies of the abdomen, consider surgical treatment, and engage in active anti-infection treatment.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How long does it take to recover after gallbladder inflammation surgery?

Patients who have undergone gallbladder surgery, which means after the gallbladder has been surgically removed, the recovery time largely depends on the method of surgery and the patient's condition. The surgical methods include open gallbladder removal and laparoscopic gallbladder removal. Clinically, laparoscopic gallbladder removal is preferred because it has the advantages of smaller incisions, less injury, and faster recovery; generally, complete recovery can be expected in about seven days. For open gallbladder removal, the recovery time is relatively longer, and it may take about half a month. Additionally, patients with malnutrition or hypoproteinemia may experience delayed wound healing, especially those with hypoproteinemia should be given attention, and consuming more high-protein foods can help promote recovery from the condition.

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Does cholecystitis require surgery?

Whether cholecystitis requires surgery depends on the acute or chronic status of the inflammation and its severity. If it is acute suppurative cholecystitis, emergency surgery is needed to avoid gallbladder perforation and resultant peritonitis, which could lead to serious septic shock, thus emergency surgical treatment is necessary. If it is mild chronic cholecystitis, elective surgery can be considered, and there is no need for emergency treatment. If it is asymptomatic chronic cholecystitis, it can also be managed with dietary adjustments and symptomatic medical treatment, and surgery may not be strictly necessary.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
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Why can't acute cholecystitis be operated on?

Patients with acute cholecystitis can undergo surgical treatment. Patients with acute cholecystitis often experience severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and it can even affect gastrointestinal function, leading to secondary intestinal obstruction. Therefore, patients who repeatedly suffer from acute cholecystitis should undergo surgery as soon as possible, especially those with gallstones, which require serious attention. Only through surgery can a definitive cure be achieved. The surgical approach for acute cholecystitis mainly involves laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Only by removing the gallbladder can a definitive cure be achieved. Furthermore, patients with acute cholecystitis should also avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammation and facilitate recovery.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can you drink water with acute cholecystitis?

Whether patients with acute cholecystitis can drink water mainly depends on the course of the disease. In the early stages of acute cholecystitis, patients may experience digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension. At this time, they should not drink water; instead, they require fasting and gastrointestinal decompression to better control the condition, especially to prevent the occurrence of intestinal obstruction. After antibiotic treatment and control of the inflammation, once the gastrointestinal function is fully restored, patients can then drink water, but only in small amounts. For patients with acute cholecystitis, if symptoms do not improve after conservative treatment, it may even be necessary to surgically remove the gallbladder to achieve a definitive cure. The primary method is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which can effectively treat the condition.

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How to diagnose cholecystitis?

Firstly, we can use physical examination to check. Acute cholecystitis will show tenderness in the upper right abdomen. If pressing below the right ribs causes significant pain, it is likely to be acute cholecystitis. Secondly, instrument examination can be utilized, with the most common and cost-effective being an ultrasound examination. When examining cholecystitis, fasting is required; no food should be consumed for at least eight hours. Additionally, modern CT scans or MRI can be used to help determine whether there is inflammation in the gallbladder. Blood tests can also be conducted; an increase in white blood cells in a routine blood test can indicate the presence of inflammation.