What is cholecystitis? Cholecystitis can be described as gallbladder inflammation. The gallbladder is a small organ located near the liver. It takes part in digestion processes, and it is needed for the normal functioning of the digestive system; however, it is possible to live normally without this organ. The gallbladder controls the release of bile and helps with the digestion of fatty foods.
What Are the Symptoms of Cholecystitis?
- Gallbladder inflammation is characterized by several symptoms. Pain is one of the most common symptoms; it is usually intermittent in the beginning, but after a while, the pain will become persistent and quite severe. It is usually located on the right side, under your ribs.
- The pain will likely start after a meal, and it is usually triggered by fatty foods. Junk foods, fried foods, fatty sauced (mayonnaise, and similar foodstuff), buttery foods, and all kinds of meat are just some of the foods that can cause this symptom.
Other symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tenderness around the gallbladder area (on the right side of your abdomen)
Severe symptoms of cholecystitis include:
- High fever
- Jaundice
- Gallstone ileus (this happens because of the gallbladder perforation; a fistula is formed near the small bowel, which causes complications.)
Chronic cholecystitis is usually characterized by nausea, diarrhea, belching, and abdominal pain.
Cholecystitis is usually caused by gallstones. Not all gallstones can lead to problems; however, larger stones can block the bile duct and lead to bile thickening, which will cause other problems, including inflammatory processes.
When the gallbladder walls get inflamed, various problems can occur, and other structures that surround the gallbladder can be affected.
Chronic cholecystitis is often mistaken for other health problems because the symptoms are quite non-specific. That is why it’s important to visit your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. Nearly all gallbladder disorders are characterized by those symptoms, but other disorders can have the same signs (for example, the peptic ulcer has similar symptoms).
Cholecystitis is usually caused by cystic duct blockage. The pain caused by this problem will become severe and quite persistent. Many people call this pain “biliary colic”, but there is a difference. Biliary colic is characterized by constant and sharp pain, but there is no fever.
Most gallbladder problems are actually caused by gallstones. Gallstones can be present for years, without showing any symptoms. These small stones are called “the silent stones”, and they never cause complications. However, these stones will probably remain undiagnosed (because there are no symptoms), until they become larger. Larger stones can cause complications, and in some cases, gallbladder surgery has to be done. Most patients recover without any difficulties, and they continue to live normal lives without the gallbladder. However, certain changes must be made, when it comes to diet and lifestyle.
The gallbladder takes part in fat digestion; if there is no gallbladder, fat digestion will be difficult and you will need aid from no gallbladder supplements.. The gallbladder diet excludes fatty foods, sugary foods, artificial sweeteners, additives, hydrogenated oils, etc. Alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided.
This diet regime has the purpose to help your digestive tract process the foods you eat. If you eat fatty foods, your digestive tract will work under pressure and these foods won’t be properly digested.
Fortunately, the gallbladder diet is not too restrictive and you will still be able to enjoy a variety of foods. Most of these foods are healthy, so this diet will have positive effects on your health in general. Junk foods, fried foods, fatty meat, fatty dairy products, and other similar food items will have to be excluded from your diet. Avoiding these foods will certainly help you stay healthy.
Cholelithiasis vs. Cholecystitis: What’s the Difference?
Cholelithiasis: This term refers to the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts. Gallstones are hardened deposits that form from bile components such as cholesterol, bilirubin, and calcium salts. Cholelithiasis itself may not cause symptoms unless the stones obstruct the bile ducts, leading to conditions like cholecystitis or biliary colic.
Cholecystitis: Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder, usually caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct or by other factors such as infection. When gallstones obstruct the cystic duct, bile builds up in the gallbladder, causing irritation, inflammation, and sometimes infection. This can lead to symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and tenderness in the right upper abdomen.
In summary, cholelithiasis refers to the presence of gallstones, while cholecystitis refers to inflammation of the gallbladder often caused by gallstones. Cholelithiasis may or may not lead to cholecystitis depending on whether the stones cause blockage or irritation in the gallbladder.