Severe pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, nausea and vomiting are among the most important symptoms of cholecystitis, because the doctor can initially diagnose the condition, but of course he will ask to perform some blood tests and examination to ensure the accuracy of his diagnosis, so in the following article we will tell you about other signs of cholecystitis, and what are its types and ways to treat it?
What is cholecystitis?
The gallbladder is a small organ located under the liver. It stores bile manufactured in the liver.
The gallbladder receives bile from the liver and sends it to the small intestine through the bile ducts. It helps digest some types of food, such as fats.
Inflammation of the gallbladder occurs as a result of an infection or the formation of stones in it, which leads to its blockage or blockage of the bile ducts. This may cause some symptoms, such as: feeling pain, swelling and redness of the gallbladder.
What are the types of cholecystitis?
There are several types of cholecystitis, including the following:
- Simple or acute cholecystitis.
- Severe or chronic cholecystitis.
- Gallstone gallbladder infections, which occur as a result of the formation of stones in the gallbladder.
- Acalculous gallbladder infections.
What are the symptoms of cholecystitis?
Gallbladder pain appears in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, but it differs in acute cases from chronic cases. Below we explain to you the most important signs of acute and chronic cholecystitis.
Symptoms of acute cholecystitis
The pain begins suddenly in acute cholecystitis and does not go away, but rather gets worse over time, especially when breathing deeply.
Acute cholecystitis pain may spread from the abdomen to the right shoulder or back, and other symptoms include the following:
- Flatulence.
- Feeling pain in the upper right part of the abdomen.
- Loss or lack of appetite.
- Feeling nauseous.
- القيء.
- ارتفاع طفيف في درجة حرارة الجسم.
- Feeling chills and sweating.
- Feeling weak and tired.
The above symptoms may worsen after eating a meal, especially one that contains a high percentage of fat.
Symptoms of chronic cholecystitis
Patients with chronic cholecystitis have pain in the upper right abdomen, but it gets worse at night.
Symptoms of chronic cholecystitis are less severe than acute cholecystitis, and may appear gradually over weeks or come and go in attacks.
Patients with chronic cholecystitis usually do not have a fever or chills during a pain episode.
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What are the causes of cholecystitis?
Inflammation of the gallbladder occurs due to the accumulation of bile in it as a result of blockage of the bile ducts with stones. This leads to swelling, redness, and increased inflammation in the gallbladder.
Causes of cholecystitis include:
- Bacterial infection in the bile ducts, which impedes sending bile to the small intestine, and thus accumulates in the gallbladder, thus increasing the incidence of inflammation.
- Tumors of the pancreas or liver, which prevent the movement of bile from the gallbladder to the intestine.
- Reduced blood flow to the gallbladder. This may occur as a result of diabetes or blood vessel infections.
- The formation of gallbladder sludge, which is a thick substance also known as stones that cannot be absorbed by the bile in the gallbladder, leading to its accumulation. It usually appears in pregnant women or people who have lost significant weight after gastric sleeve operations.
What are the symptoms of gallbladder in women?
The symptoms of cholecystitis in women may be similar in general to common symptoms, but there are some subtle differences that may appear more clearly in women due to hormonal changes or due to the physiological condition, and among these symptoms are:
- The pain extends to the right shoulder or upper back more frequently than in men.
- Increased intensity of pain after fatty meals or during the period before menstruation.
- Feeling chronically nauseous without an obvious fever.
- Frequent bloating and abdominal discomfort, especially after eating.
- Digestive changes similar to irritable bowel syndrome, such as gas or diarrhea.
- Unexplained fatigue or a general feeling of heaviness in the body.
It should be noted that these symptoms make the diagnosis more complicated in women, which is why it is recommended to undergo imaging examinations and analyzes in order to confirm cholecystitis and distinguish it from various other digestive system disorders.
You can also read an article Symptoms of gallbladder and colitis
Are the symptoms of cholecystitis different in women than in men?
Yes, the symptoms of cholecystitis in women differ from those in men in some details, although the basic symptoms are similar for everyone, such as pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and fever, but women may suffer from more subtle or less obvious symptoms, which leads to late or sometimes incorrect diagnosis,
Differences between women and men in cholecystitis symptoms:
| الأعراض | Women | الرجال |
| Pain | It extends to the right shoulder or upper back | The pain is concentrated in the upper right side only |
| Bloating and gas | More widespread and sometimes similar to colon symptoms | Less visible |
| الغثيان | It appears early and persists | Less clear |
| Exhaustion and general fatigue | More severe and frequent | Less visible |
| Affected by hormonal status | It increases as menstruation approaches | It is not associated with hormonal changes |
It should be noted that the difference is partly due to female hormones such as estrogen, which may affect the formation of bile and increase the likelihood of stone formation, in addition to women’s higher sensitivity to pain and physical changes associated with pregnancy and the menstrual cycle. Therefore, it is important for women to be aware of all the differences in order to avoid delays in diagnosis, especially when any vague or intermittent symptoms appear after eating a fatty meal.
What are the symptoms of psychological bitterness?
The symptoms of psychological bitterness are not related to bitterness as a physical organ, but rather refer to chronic internal feelings that are represented by anger, hatred, jealousy, or a feeling of injustice. These are feelings that affect both mental health and physical health. The most prominent symptoms of psychological bitterness are as follows:
- Constant feeling of tightness, discomfort, or annoyance, even for no apparent reason.
- Difficulty in forgiving or forgetting.
- The tendency to constantly blame others or circumstances and feel that everyone is against you.
- Feeling annoyed by others' success or happiness.
- Low self-esteem, feeling that a person does not get what he deserves from others.
- The tendency to stay away from people due to feelings of not being accepted or let down.
- The appearance of physical symptoms related to stress, such as headaches, stomach pain, insomnia, and rapid heartbeat, as a result of chronic psychological stress.
How can the symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder be diagnosed?
The diagnosis of cholecystitis depends largely on the evaluation of symptoms and the clinical examination, in addition to medical examinations. The following are main methods for diagnosing the symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder. They begin by identifying the symptoms, then the doctor examines the abdomen and discovers the extent to which the patient feels pain when pressing on the upper right part, while checking for the presence of fever or other signs of inflammation. The doctor also performs various tests as follows:
- Laboratory tests: including blood analysis to detect a high number of white blood cells, which is an indication of inflammation, and liver function tests to monitor the effect of inflammation on the bile ducts.
- Imaging examinations using ultrasound to diagnose cholecystitis, CT scan for complex cases, and MRI or MR cholangiography to evaluate the bile ducts and ensure there are no obstructions.
What are the complications of cholecystitis?
If left untreated, cholecystitis may cause many complications and other health problems, such as:
- Bacterial infection and pus in the gallbladder due to the accumulation of bile in it for long periods.
- Gangrene or death of some gallbladder tissue as a result of severe inflammation and swelling or decreased or no blood flow to it.
- Exposure of the bile ducts to bacterial infection, injury, or trauma during surgical procedures in the liver or abdomen.
- Getting sick Pancreatitis.
- Infection or inflammation of the abdominal wall or lining, known as peritonitis.
- Exposure to bouts of chronic cholecystitis in the long term, and this may lead to cirrhosis andGallbladder enlargement Or scarring and dysfunction over time.
- Poor digestion and a deficiency in some vitamins and minerals due to decreased absorption from the small intestine.
How can cholecystitis be treated?
There are several treatment options, which we will explain to you in detail in the following lines:
- Taking antibiotics and painkillers. The patient may have to be admitted to the hospital to be given fluids and these medications intravenously, especially if he suffers from severe vomiting and unbearable pain.
- Performing stone removal surgery or Cholecystectomy Especially for cases of acute inflammation, as a result of the high recurrence rate of inflammation associated with gallstones.
- Eat a healthy, low-fat diet and eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
Are women more susceptible to cholecystitis?
Yes, women are more susceptible to cholecystitis compared to men, and studies indicate that about 70% of cholecystitis cases occur in women, and this is due to hormonal factors that affect the formation of gallstones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which are two hormones that increase the secretion of cholesterol in bile, thus increasing the possibility of stone formation. In addition, periods of pregnancy and the use of hormonal contraceptives increase the risk in women.
Does stress and anxiety cause gallbladder problems?
Yes, chronic stress and anxiety can indirectly affect the health of the gallbladder, which exacerbates some of its problems. Although stress does not directly cause gallbladder inflammation or stones, it does lead to the following:
- Constant anxiety changes the balance of hormones and chemicals in the body, which affects the movement of the gallbladder and increases contractions or pain, especially if it is affected by stones.
- Anxiety slows digestion and affects the secretion of bile, which increases the likelihood of bile stasis in the gallbladder, which is a risk factor for stone formation.
- Increased muscle tension in the abdomen, which leads to feeling pain in the upper right area of the abdomen, that is, in the gallbladder area, and thus causes confusion between psychological causes and organic causes.
- Stress causes some people to eat a lot of fatty or fried foods, or to eat quickly, which increases gallbladder stress and exacerbates the problem.
هل المرارة تسبب كتمة بالصدر ؟
Gallbladder problems, such as cholecystitis or the presence of gallstones, cause a feeling of lumpiness in the chest, but this is not a direct symptom or a common symptom. It occurs due to the similarity of nerve locations or the reflection of pain from the abdomen to the chest. The question here is: How can the gallbladder cause lumpiness or pain in the chest?
- The gallbladder is located in the upper right part of the abdomen, but the pain resulting from it may be felt in the right chest, middle of the chest, right shoulder, or back. Sometimes the pain is vague and resembles pressure or a lump on the chest.
- Severe contractions or bilious attacks. When a gallbladder attack occurs, such as a bile duct being blocked by a stone, a person may feel sharp pain that spreads to the chest and is very similar to the pain of angina pectoris.
- Gas and bloating resulting from gallbladder problems, which can cause pressure in the upper abdomen and extend toward the chest, making the person feel stuffy or difficult to breathe.
If you feel a lump or pain in the chest, do not automatically assume that it is due to the gallbladder, especially if the pain is sudden or accompanied by sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, and pain in the arm or jaw. In this case, you should immediately go to the emergency room to rule out heart disease, as the symptoms may be similar.
الفرق بين كتمة الصدر الناتجة عن ألم المرارة وكتمة الصدر الناتجة عن الم الصدر
It is possible to differentiate between chest congestion resulting from gallbladder problems and chest congestion resulting from heart or chest problems through some clear differences in the nature of the pain, location, and accompanying symptoms, which are explained as follows:
Chest congestion resulting from gallbladder
- The pain appears in the upper right part of the abdomen, and extends to the right chest, right shoulder, or middle back.
- Feeling sharp pain, with pulsation or pressure, and the pain begins after eating, especially fatty meals.
- Depression lasts from half an hour to hours, and occurs in attacks.
- There are some accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, belching, and sometimes a slight increase in temperature, with pain that increases with deep breathing or when pressing on the abdomen.
- This pain is triggered by some stimuli such as fatty food, late dinner, bending forward, or sleeping after eating.
Chest congestion resulting from heart problems such as angina or stroke
- It is felt in the center of the chest, and may extend to the left arm, jaw, neck, or back.
- The pain is a heavy pressure with a feeling of weight on the chest, and is sometimes described as a squeezing girdle.
- The duration of the pain ranges from minutes to half an hour, and the pain is often continuous and may increase with effort or tension.
- Accompanying symptoms are sweating, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and palpitations.
- As for the triggers for this type of chest congestion, they are physical effort, psychological tension, walking, and climbing stairs.
After you learned with us about the symptoms and causes of cholecystitis, we hope that you immediately go to the internal medicine and gastroenterologist as soon as you notice any symptom or pain in the upper right part of the abdomen to conduct diagnostic tests and investigations to confirm the disease and develop an early treatment plan so that we avoid any serious complications.
Frequently asked questions
What foods irritate the gallbladder?
Foods that irritate the gallbladder mainly include foods rich in saturated and fried fats, such as fried foods, fatty meats, yellow cheeses, and butter. In addition, fast foods and canned foods that contain preservatives irritate the gallbladder. Also, spicy foods, heavy sweets, soft drinks, and excess caffeine lead to irritation of the gallbladder and increase symptoms such as nausea, bloating, and upper right abdominal pain. It is important to avoid these foods to reduce gallbladder attacks and prevent recurrent infections.
Does bitterness come from anger?
The gallbladder is not directly affected by sadness, but severe psychological stress has a major factor in this, in addition to the poor psychological state, and they may have an indirect role in stimulating gallbladder problems, especially in people who have pre-existing risk factors such as family history or obesity. Also, anxiety and psychological stress can affect the movement of the digestive system and gallbladder contractions, and thus this increases the feeling of pain and may contribute to the exacerbation of the underlying symptoms. Therefore, maintaining psychological balance helps reduce the possibility of exacerbation of gallbladder symptoms, but does not help in preventing them directly.
هل التهاب المرارة يسبب ألم في القفص الصدري؟
Yes, cholecystitis can cause pain in the rib cage, especially in the upper right part of it directly under the ribs. This pain extends to the right shoulder or back, and is pulsating or sharp. The pain may also increase after eating a fatty meal. This pain is due to the location of the gallbladder at the bottom of the liver, as the inflammation leads to irritation of the surrounding nerves, which causes the feeling of pain to move to various other areas in the upper abdomen or rib cage. It is often similar to chest pain related to the heart or lung.
The article was reviewed by Dr.
Medical sources
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