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What are the symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder?
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Reviewed by: Dr. Majid Al-Bahlawan, Consultant in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology

اThrough this article, discover the most important symptoms of the gallbladder and its inflammation. The gallbladder is a balloon-like organ located below the liver and connected to it via the bile duct. The bile produced by the liver collects in it, and is mainly responsible for digesting fats in the food that passes through the intestine. Cholecystitis usually occurs when the drainage from the gallbladder is blocked, causing pain that may be acute or chronic, so let us get to know the most important causes, how it can be diagnosed, and the most important treatment methods.

What are the causes of cholecystitis?

There are a group of factors that lead to symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder, which are usually due to a defect in the system of bile drainage from the liver and gallbladder to the intestines, and they include:

  1. Formation of gallstonesIt is one of the main causes of inflamed gallbladder. It is formed as a result of the deposition and clumping of bile salts. It may also cause blockage of the bile duct and difficulty draining its juices.
  2. Bacterial infection in the bile ducts.
  3. Liver and pancreas tumors, as tumors may prevent the drainage of bile and its exit from the gallbladder.
  4. Reduced blood flow to the gallbladder, which may occur with diabetes.

Cholecystitis may occur suddenly, which is what we call acute or instantaneous symptoms, or it may be chronic, meaning it lasts for long periods.

What are the causes of acute cholecystitis?

Acute cholecystitis is rare, but is more common in patients in hospital intensive care units. 

It may not be حصوات المرارة In this case, it is the cause, and rather complications resulting from illness, or bacterial or viral hospital infections, are responsible for it. 

What are the symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder?

As a result of difficulty draining bile, a group of symptoms may occur التهاب المرارة، Include

  • Enlargement and inflammation of the gallbladder: It usually occurs as a result of gallstones, which act as a barrier that prevents the drainage of bile. 
  • العدوىIn this case, the gallbladder constitutes a fertile environment for the activity and growth of bacteria. 
  • Severe painThe patient usually feels pain in the middle or upper right part of the abdomen, and it may move between the shoulder blades.
  • Bile duct obstruction.
  • Gallbladder burstIn advanced cases, the gallbladder may crack or burst, or neglecting to visit a specialist doctor for long periods may lead to serious complications. 
  • Repeated attacks of pain: It occurs with chronic conditions, and may result in damage to the gallbladder tissue and its walls. 

There is another set of general symptoms, which may be shared with another group of diseases, including:

  1. Feeling nauseous.
  2. القيء.
  3. Not feeling hungry.
  4. A change in the color of urine and stool. The urine becomes dark, and the stool tends to be a little lighter in color.
  5. Fever and high body temperature.
  6. Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
  7. Flatulence.
  8. Pain persists for more than 6 hours, especially after eating.

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How can the symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder be diagnosed?

There is a set of diagnostic tools that may help the doctor identify the problem and develop an appropriate treatment programB, including:

  1. Medical history and gallbladder symptoms.
  2. Clinical examination.
  3. Complete blood count (CBC) analysis: A higher than normal number of white blood cells may indicate the presence of inflammation and infection.
  4. Liver function testsTo ensure the safety and effectiveness of liver functions.
  5. الموجات فوق الصوتية: It is used to view the liver and gallbladder and examine blood flow through various vessels.
  6. Abdominal X-ray: Takes pictures of gallstones when they are present.
  7. CT scan: It helps determine the presence of gallbladder inflammation or obstruction in the flow of bile. 
  8. HIDA imaging of the liverThis examination checks for any abnormal contractions or movements in the gallbladder, and it also contributes to detecting obstruction of the bile ducts. 
  9. PTC imaging: It is a procedure that aims to take pictures of the bile ducts to see if there is a blockage or not.
  10. ERCP imaging: This is used to detect and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas, through endoscopy. 

What are the ways to treat cholecystitis?

Your doctor may suggest the following:

  1. Fasting is a period of rest for the gallbladder.
  2. Relying on a special low-fat diet.
  3. Take painkillers for pain attacks.
  4. Antibiotics to treat infection.
  5. Medications to prevent stone formation.

In some advanced cases that do not respond to treatment, the doctor may resort to the surgical option and remove the gallbladder. 

In conclusion, I Treating the symptoms of inflamed gallbladder It depends on knowing the causes of its inflammation, and trying to treat it before taking more advanced steps that may lead to its eradication, especially when it does not respond to treatment. You can avoid all the problems that we have discussed throughout this article by following a healthy lifestyle, avoiding excessive intake of fats and fast food, with the necessity of visiting a doctor periodically once every 6 months to conduct a medical examination, and early detection of problems and treatment before they get worse.

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