Cholecystitis: From Colic To Scalpel

Pain in the right side, the taste of bitterness, nausea and vomiting, these are the characteristic signs of cholecystitis

Pain in the right side, the taste of bitterness, nausea and vomiting, these are the characteristic signs of cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder is called cholecystitis. This pathology is accompanied by painful symptoms and can lead to a number of complications. Therefore, cholecystitis must be treated. But which methods of treatment are optimal? In what cases should one "go under the knife" and when can cholecystitis be treated without surgical intervention?

Why do we need a gallbladder and what functions does it perform?

The gallbladder is a hollow sac-like organ that is a reserve of bile. Bile is produced by the liver and at the right moment is released into the intestines, where it actively participates in digestion processes. Thus, bile promotes the breakdown of fats, is necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, stimulates the work of the gastrointestinal tract, prevents the development of putrefactive processes in the intestines, and performs a number of other important functions.

With cholecystitis, the normal process of accumulation and outflow of bile from the gallbladder is disrupted.

Causes of cholecystitis

The direct cause of the appearance of the inflammatory process in the gallbladder is most often an infection. It can be bacteria, fungi, viruses and even worms. Sometimes toxic or allergic cholecystitis occurs.

The inflammatory process usually begins against the background of impaired outflow of bile from the bladder. A number of factors can provoke this, including:

• stones in the gall bladder
• bends of bile ducts
• dyskinesia of the gallbladder and biliary tract
• liver and gall bladder injuries
• stress
• hormonal disorders
• pregnancy
• infectious process in some other organ
• diseases of the digestive organs
• genetic predisposition
• sedentary lifestyle
• liquid meals together with overeating
• fondness for fatty, spicy, cholesterol-rich food
• alcohol abuse

Most often, the presence of stones in the gallbladder leads to the appearance of cholecystitis. They block the bile ducts and thus create conditions for the inflammatory process.

Cholecystitis can be acute or chronic. The chronic form can develop against the background of acute or arise gradually on its own.

Symptoms of cholecystitis

Symptoms of cholecystitis differ depending on whether the acute or chronic form of the disease occurs. Acute cholecystitis is manifested by a number of characteristic symptoms:

• Pain in the right side in the area of ​​the hypochondrium.
• Bitter and metallic taste in the mouth.
• Flatulence.
• Nausea and vomiting. Bile is present among the vomitus.
• An increase in temperature.
• Violation of normal defecation.

With chronic cholecystitis, the symptoms are muted, and may not appear at all. The pain is more often aching. Weakness, lethargy, sleep disturbances and irritability appear.

Hepatic colic

The most common cause of cholecystitis is gallstones. They disrupt the normal outflow of bile. And when they "move" or pass through the bile duct, hepatic colic often appears . This is an attack-like sharp pain in the right hypochondrium, which can radiate to the right part of the chest, shoulder, neck, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Fatty spicy food, alcohol, physical exertion, shaking provoke the appearance of an attack of colic.

Hepatic colic can occur with cholecystitis and without the presence of stones. For example, if the bile duct is blocked by mucus plugs.

Diagnosis of cholecystitis

Both chronic and acute forms of cholecystitis need to be treated. But at some point the diagnosis must be clarified. To do this, they usually do:

• Biochemical study of blood
• ultrasound
• Cholecystography is an x-ray examination in which a contrast agent is used.

Conservative treatment or surgery?

Acute cholecystitis is treated in a hospital setting. To stop the inflammatory process, antibacterial drugs are used, detoxification therapy is carried out, and painkillers and antispasmodics are used in parallel. In some cases, it becomes necessary to remove the gallbladder.

With chronic cholecystitis , drugs are used, the action of which is aimed at normalizing the work of the gallbladder. Herbal preparations with hepatoprotective properties are prescribed.

A mandatory condition for the treatment of cholecystitis is a diet that reduces the burden on the gallbladder. Standard diet No. 5 is prescribed for cholecystitis.

If stones are the cause of chronic cholecystitis, doctors may suggest removing the gallbladder. Currently, there are methods of dissolving and crushing stones. But quite often they have only a temporary effect and sooner or later you have to think about surgery.

The operation can be open or performed laparoscopically. In the second case, the gallbladder is removed through several small incisions in the abdominal wall.

After the removal of the gallbladder, the body learns to do without this reservoir for bile, and the person returns to normal life quite quickly.

You should make a decision about whether to choose a scalpel or conservative treatment together with your doctor.