Cholecystitis

What is cholecystitis?

Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder wall and nearby abdominal lining. Cholecystitis is usually caused by a gallstone in the cystic duct, the duct that connects the gallbladder to the hepatic duct. Other causes of cholecystitis may include the following:

• Bacterial infection in the bile duct system
• Tumor of the pancreas or liver
• Decreased blood supply to the gallbladder
• Gallbladder “sludge”

What are the symptoms of Cholecystitis?

Certain symptoms of Cholecystitis include:

• Severe pain in your upper right abdomen
• Radiating pain towards your right shoulder
• Tenderness over your abdomen when touched
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Fever
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Jaundice

Treatment for cholecystitis:

Treatment for acute cholecystitis usually involves a hospital stay, to reduce stimulation to the gallbladder. Antibiotics are usually administered to reduce the inflammation and/or fight the infection. Sometimes, the gallbladder is surgically removed.