Chronic cholecystitis (patient information)
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Cholecystitis |
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Cholecystitis On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty
Overview
Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. There are two distinct types of cholecystitis, acute and chronic. Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain. Chronic cholecystitis is long-standing swelling and irritation of the gallbladder.
What are the symptoms of Chronic Cholecystitis?
Chronic Cholecystitis
- Attacks of upper abdominal pain, often with nausea or vomiting.
- Abdominal pain that is located on the upper right side or upper middle of the abdomen. The pain may:
- Spreading of pain to the back or below the right shoulder blade
- Pain is worsened by eating fatty or greasy foods
Other symptoms that may occur include:
- Abdominal fullness
- Clay-colored stools
- Excess gas
- Fever
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
What causes Cholecystitis?
Chronic Cholecystitis
Chronic cholecystitis is usually caused by gallstones in the gallbladder. It is usually preceeded by repeated attacks of acute cholecystitis. This leads to thickening of the gallbladder walls. The gallbladder begins to shrink and eventually loses the ability to perform its function, which is concentrating, storing, and releasing bile.
Who is at highest risk?
Risk Factors for chronic cholecystitis include:
- Gender: The disease occurs more often in women than in men
- Age: The incidence increases after age 40
- The presence or development of gallstones
- Race: Native Americans have a higher rate of gallstones
Diagnosis
Chronic Cholecystitis
Your doctor may order the following blood tests:
- Amylase and lipase
- Bilirubin
- Complete blood count (CBC): may show a higher than normal white blood cell count
- Liver function tests
Imaging tests that can show gallstones or inflammation include:
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal x-ray
- Oral cholecystogram
- Gallbladder radionuclide scan
Diseases with similar symptoms
Acute Cholecystitis
- Perforated peptic ulcer
- Acute peptic ulcer exacerbation
- Amoebic liver abscess
- Acute amoebic liver colitis
- Acute pancreatitis
- Acute intestinal obstruction
- Renal colic
- Acute retrocolic appendicitis
Chronic Cholecystitis
- Billiary colic
- Peptic ulcer
- Hiatus hernia
- Colitis
- Functional bowel syndrome
When to seek urgent medical care?
Chronic Cholecystitis
Call for an appointment with your healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms of cholecystitis.
Treatment options
Chronic Cholecystitis
Surgery is the usual treatment. Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) can be performed as an open or laparoscopic procedure. The open procedure requires a large cut in the upper-right part of the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery uses instruments and a small camera inserted through a cluster of a few small cuts.
In patients who are poor candidates for surgery because of other diseases or conditions, the gallstones may be dissolved with medication taken by mouth.
Medications to avoid
Patients diagnosed with Cholecystitis should avoid using the following medications:
- Fenofibrate
- Gemfibrozil
If you have been diagnosed with Cholecystitis, consult your physician before starting or stopping any of these medications.
Where to find medical care for Cholecystitis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cholecystitis
Prevention of Cholecystitis
Chronic Cholecystitis
The condition is not always preventable. Eating less fatty foods may relieve symptoms in people with acute cholecystitis who have not had their gallbladder removed. However, the benefit of a low-fat diet has not been proven.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications of cholecystitis
- Gangrene (tissue death) of the gallbladder
- Cancer of the gallbladder (rarely)
- Jaundice
- Pancreatitis
- Worsening of the condition