Cholecystitis – Liver and Gallbladder Disorders

By

Christina C. Lindenmeyer

, MD, Cleveland Clinic

Reviewed/Revised Sep 2021 | Modified Sep 2022

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Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, usually resulting from a gallstone blocking the cystic duct.

• Typically, people have abdominal pain, fever, and nausea.

• Ultrasonography can usually detect signs of gallbladder inflammation.

• The gallbladder is removed, often using a laparoscope.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped sac located beneath the liver. It stores bile, a fluid that is produced by the liver and aids in digestion. When bile is needed, as when people eat, the gallbladder contracts, pushing bile through the bile ducts into the small intestine. (See also Overview of Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disorders Overview of Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disorders The liver produces bile, a greenish yellow, thick, sticky fluid. Bile aids digestion by making cholesterol, fats, and fat-soluble vitamins easier to absorb from the intestine. Bile also helps… read more .)

Cholecystitis is the most common problem resulting from gallbladder stones. It occurs when a stone blocks the cystic duct, which carries bile from the gallbladder (see figure View of the Liver and Gallbladder View of the Liver and Gallbladder ).

Cholecystitis is classified as acute or chronic.

Acute cholecystitis begins suddenly, resulting in severe, steady pain in the upper abdomen. At least 95% of people with acute cholecystitis have gallstones Gallstones Gallstones are collections of solid material (predominantly crystals of cholesterol) in the gallbladder. The liver can secrete too much cholesterol, which is carried with bile to the gallbladder… read more . The inflammation almost always begins without infection, although infection may follow later. Inflammation may cause the gallbladder to fill with fluid and its walls to thicken.

Rarely, a form of acute cholecystitis without gallstones (acalculous cholecystitis Acalculous cholecystitis Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, usually resulting from a gallstone blocking the cystic duct. Typically, people have abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. Ultrasonography can usually… read more ) occurs. However, the gallbladder may contain sludge (microscopic particles of materials similar to those in gallstones). Acalculous cholecystitis is more serious than other types of cholecystitis. It tends to occur after the following:

• Major surgery

• Critical illnesses such as serious injuries, severe burns Complications , or a bloodstream infection (sepsis Sepsis and Septic Shock Sepsis is a serious bodywide response to bacteremia or another infection plus malfunction or failure of an essential system in the body. Septic shock is life-threatening low blood pressure … read more )

• Intravenous feedings for a long time

• Fasting for a long time

• A deficiency in the immune system

• Certain disorders involving blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis) Overview of Vasculitis Vasculitic disorders are caused by inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Vasculitis can be triggered by certain infections or drugs or can occur for unknown reasons. People may have… read more , such as systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory connective tissue disorder that can involve joints, kidneys, skin, mucous membranes, and blood vessel walls. Problems in the… read more or polyarteritis nodosa Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) Polyarteritis nodosa is a form of vasculitis involving inflammation of medium-sized arteries. Any organ can be affected but usually not the lungs. Polyarteritis nodosa can be rapidly fatal or… read more

Acute acalculous cholecystitis can occur in young children, perhaps developing from a viral or other infection.

Chronic cholecystitis is gallbladder inflammation that has lasted a long time. It almost always results from gallstones and from prior attacks of acute cholecystitis Acute cholecystitis Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, usually resulting from a gallstone blocking the cystic duct. Typically, people have abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. Ultrasonography can usually… read more . Chronic cholecystitis is characterized by repeated attacks of pain (biliary colic) that occur when gallstones periodically block the cystic duct.

In chronic cholecystitis, the gallbladder is damaged by repeated attacks of acute inflammation, usually due to gallstones, and may become thick-walled, scarred, and small. The gallstones may block the opening of the gallbladder into the cystic duct or block the cystic duct itself. The gallbladder usually also contains sludge. If scarring is extensive, calcium may be deposited in the walls of the gallbladder, causing them to harden (called porcelain gallbladder).

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A gallbladder attack, whether in acute or chronic cholecystitis, begins as pain.

The pain of acute cholecystitis is similar to biliary colic (pain caused by gallstones Symptoms ) but is more severe and lasts longer. The pain peaks after 15 to 60 minutes and remains constant. It usually occurs in the upper right part of the abdomen. The pain may become excruciating. Most people feel a sharp pain when a doctor presses on the upper right part of the abdomen. Breathing deeply may worsen the pain. The pain often extends to the lower part of the right shoulder blade or to the back. Nausea and vomiting are common.

Within a few hours, the abdominal muscles on the right side may become stiff. Fever occurs in about one third of people with acute cholecystitis. The fever tends to rise gradually to above 100.4° F (38° C) and may be accompanied by chills.

In older people, the first or only symptoms of cholecystitis may be vague. For example, older people may lose their appetite, feel tired or weak, or vomit. They may not develop a fever.

Typically, an attack subsides in 2 to 3 days and completely resolves in a week. If the acute episode persists, it may signal a serious complication. Increasingly severe pain, a high fever, and chills suggest pockets of pus (abscesses) in or a tear (perforation) in the gallbladder. Abscesses result from gangrene, which develops when tissue dies. A large stone may tear the gallbladder’s wall and pass into the small intestine and block it. This blockage may cause abdominal pain and bloating.

If people develop jaundice Jaundice in Adults In jaundice, the skin and whites of the eyes look yellow. Jaundice occurs when there is too much bilirubin (a yellow pigment) in the blood—a condition called hyperbilirubinemia. (See also Overview… read more or pass dark urine and light-colored stools, the common bile duct is probably blocked by a stone, causing a backup of bile in the liver (cholestasis Cholestasis Cholestasis is reduction or stoppage of bile flow. Bile is the digestive fluid produced by the liver. Disorders of the liver, bile duct, or pancreas can cause cholestasis. The skin and whites… read more ).

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis Overview of Pancreatitis Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a leaf-shaped organ about 5 inches (about 13 centimeters) long. It is surrounded by the lower edge of the stomach and the first… read more ) can develop. It is caused by a stone blocking the ampulla of Vater (where the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct join together).

Acalculous cholecystitis typically causes sudden, excruciating pain in the upper abdomen in people with no previous symptoms or other evidence of a gallbladder disorder (see Biliary Pain Without Gallstones Biliary Pain Without Gallstones Pain similar to that caused by gallstones sometimes occurs in people who have no gallstones or who have gallstones too small to be detected by ultrasonography. It is called acalculous biliary… read more ). The inflammation is often very severe and can lead to gangrene or rupture of the gallbladder.

People with acalculous cholecystitis tend to be very ill. For example, they may be in the intensive care unit for another reason and have many other symptoms. Also, because these people are so ill, they may not be able to communicate very clearly. For these reasons, acalculous cholecystitis may be overlooked at first.

The only symptoms may be a swollen (distended), tender abdomen or a fever with no known cause. If untreated, acalculous cholecystitis results in death for 65% of people.

People with chronic cholecystitis have recurring attacks of pain. The upper abdomen above the gallbladder is tender to the touch. In contrast to acute cholecystitis, fever rarely occurs in people with chronic cholecystitis. The pain is less severe than the pain of acute cholecystitis and does not last as long.

Doctors diagnose cholecystitis based mainly on symptoms and results of imaging tests.

Ultrasonography Ultrasonography Imaging tests of the liver, gallbladder, and biliary tract include ultrasonography, radionuclide scanning, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography… read more is the best way to detect gallstones in the gallbladder. Ultrasonography can also detect fluid around the gallbladder or thickening of its wall, which are typical of acute cholecystitis. Often, when the ultrasound probe is moved across the upper abdomen above the gallbladder, people report tenderness.

Cholescintigraphy Radionuclide (Radioisotope) Scanning , another imaging test, is useful when acute cholecystitis is difficult to diagnose. For this test, a radioactive substance (radionuclide) is injected intravenously. A gamma camera detects the radioactivity given off, and a computer is used to produce an image. Thus, movement of the radionuclide from the liver through the biliary tract can be followed. Images of the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, and upper part of the small intestine are taken. If the radionuclide does not fill the gallbladder, the cystic duct is probably blocked by a gallstone. Cholescintigraphy is also useful when doctors suspect acute acalculous cholecystitis Acalculous cholecystitis Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, usually resulting from a gallstone blocking the cystic duct. Typically, people have abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. Ultrasonography can usually… read more .

Liver tests Liver Blood Tests Liver tests are blood tests that represent a noninvasive way to screen for the presence of liver disease (for example, hepatitis in donated blood) and to measure the severity and progress of… read more (blood tests) are done to evaluate how well the liver is functioning and whether it is damaged. However, these tests cannot confirm the diagnosis because results are often normal or only slightly high, unless the bile duct is blocked.

Other blood tests are also done. For example, the number (count) of white blood cells is measured. A high white blood cell count suggests inflammation, an abscess, gangrene Gas Gangrene Gas gangrene is a life-threatening infection of muscle tissue caused mainly by the anaerobic bacteria Clostridium perfringens and several other species of clostridia. Gas gangrene can… read more , or a perforated gallbladder.

Computed tomography (CT) Computed Tomography Imaging tests of the liver, gallbladder, and biliary tract include ultrasonography, radionuclide scanning, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography… read more of the abdomen can detect some complications of cholecystitis, such as pancreatitis Overview of Pancreatitis Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a leaf-shaped organ about 5 inches (about 13 centimeters) long. It is surrounded by the lower edge of the stomach and the first. .. read more or a tear in the gallbladder.

People with acute or chronic cholecystitis need to be hospitalized. They are not allowed to eat or drink and are given fluids and electrolytes intravenously. A doctor may pass a tube through the nose and into the stomach, so that suctioning can be used to keep the stomach empty and reduce fluid accumulating in the intestine if the intestine is blocked and to allow the gallbladder to rest.

Usually, people are given antibiotics intravenously (because infection is possible) and pain relievers.

The gallbladder is usually removed within 24 to 48 hours after symptoms start if:

• Acute cholecystitis is confirmed and the risk of surgery is small.

• People are older or have diabetes because in such people, cholecystitis is more likely to result in infections.

• A complication such as an abscess, gangrene Gas Gangrene Gas gangrene is a life-threatening infection of muscle tissue caused mainly by the anaerobic bacteria Clostridium perfringens and several other species of clostridia. Gas gangrene can… read more , or perforated gallbladder is suspected.

• People have acalculous cholecystitis Acalculous cholecystitis Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, usually resulting from a gallstone blocking the cystic duct. Typically, people have abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. Ultrasonography can usually… read more .

If necessary, surgery can be delayed for 6 weeks or more while the attack subsides. If people have a disorder that makes surgery too risky (such as a serious heart, lung, kidney, or serious liver disorder), surgery is delayed until appropriate treatment can control the disorder as well as possible. If surgery needs to be delayed or avoided completely, the gallbladder may need to be drained to help treat and prevent spread of the infection. Drainage can be done by placing a tube through the abdominal wall into the gallbladder, allowing fluid to drain outside the body. Alternatively, a drainage tube can be placed from inside the body during endoscopy Endoscopy Endoscopy is an examination of internal structures using a flexible viewing tube (endoscope). In addition to examinations, doctors can use endoscopy to do biopsies and give treatment. Endoscopes… read more guided by endoscopic ultrasound Ultrasonography Imaging tests of the liver, gallbladder, and biliary tract include ultrasonography, radionuclide scanning, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography… read more (EUS). In EUS, an endoscope that contains a tiny ultrasound device at its tip is passed through the mouth into the stomach and the small intestine. The ultrasound images guide the doctor to place a drain between the gallbladder and the small intestine or between the gallbladder and the stomach.

In chronic cholecystitis, the gallbladder is usually removed after the current attack subsides.

Surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is usually done using a flexible viewing tube called a laparoscope. After small incisions are made in the abdomen, the laparoscope and surgical instruments are inserted through the incisions. Doctors then use the instruments to remove the gallbladder. The laparoscope contains a tiny camera, which enables surgeons to see what they are doing inside the body.

A few people have new or recurring episodes of pain that feel like gallbladder attacks even though the gallbladder (and the stones) have been removed. Diarrhea can also develop. Doctors sometimes call this postcholecystectomy syndrome. The cause of this syndrome is not known, but in a few people, it may be malfunction of the sphincter of Oddi (a ring-shaped muscle between the common bile and pancreatic ducts and the small intestine). Malfunction of this muscle can slow the flow of bile and pancreatic secretions from the ducts and thus increase pressure in the ducts, causing pain. Pain may also result from small gallstones that remain in the ducts after the gallbladder is removed. More commonly, the cause is another, unrelated problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the digestive tract that causes recurring abdominal pain and constipation or diarrhea. Symptoms vary but often include lower abdominal pain, bloating… read more or even peptic ulcer disease Peptic Ulcer Disease A peptic ulcer is a round or oval sore where the lining of the stomach or duodenum has been eaten away by stomach acid and digestive juices. Peptic ulcers can result from infection with Helicobacter… read more .

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or cholescintigraphy (see Imaging Tests of the Liver and Gallbladder Imaging Tests of the Liver and Gallbladder Imaging tests of the liver, gallbladder, and biliary tract include ultrasonography, radionuclide scanning, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography… read more ) may be necessary to determine whether the cause of pain is increased pressure. For ERCP, a flexible viewing tube (endoscope) is inserted through the mouth and into the intestine, and a device to measure pressure is inserted through the tube. If pressure is increased, surgical instruments are inserted into the tube and used to cut and thus widen the sphincter of Oddi. This procedure (called endoscopic sphincterotomy) can relieve symptoms when the pain is caused by malfunction of the sphincter.

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14 Gallbladder Attack Symptoms to Look Out For

Chances are you barely know what your gallbladder is, let alone the gallbladder attack symptoms to look out for. When you have really bad stomach pain, it’s easy to chalk it up to that double bean burrito you ate an hour ago. Or, if it’s abnormally painful, your mind may jump to appendicitis.

But there’s another health condition that can cause bad stomach pain and probably isn’t on your radar: a gallbladder attack. Keep reading to learn what the heck your gallbladder is and what it does, plus the signs of a gallbladder attack you should know about.

What is your gallbladder, and what does it do?

Excellent question. Your gallbladder sits under your liver on the right side of your midsection below your ribs. It helps your body digest fat and stores bile, a fluid your liver secretes to help with digestion, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). “When you eat, your gallbladder contracts and shoots bile into the intestine,” Kyle Staller, M.D., M.P.H., a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, tells SELF. “That serves as soap to help break up fats. ”

Your gallbladder is a lot like your appendix. “You’re perfectly fine if it’s gone,” Rudolph Bedford, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF. Your liver still produces bile without your gallbladder, so it’s really not necessary to digest your food, according to the NIDDK.

What is a gallbladder attack exactly?

Just like pretty much every other body part, things can go wrong with your gallbladder. Enter: Gallstones, which can block your ducts and cause a gallbladder attack, according to the NIDDK.

Gallstones are little deposits of hardened digestive fluid that can range in size from a speck of sand to a golf ball, per the Mayo Clinic. If you have gallstones, when your gallbladder contracts to try to push bile out, the deposits can get wedged inside the duct that goes to the small intestine. As you can imagine, this feels beyond terrible. (There’s a reason it’s called a gallbladder attack instead of, say, a gallbladder nudge. ) “It’s exquisitely painful,” Dr. Staller says.

What causes a gallbladder attack in the first place?

It’s clear that gallbladder attacks happen when gallstones block your bile ducts. But to really understand what causes a gallbladder attack, we need to discuss what causes gallstones to form. There are two types of gallstones. Cholesterol gallstones are usually made up of undissolved cholesterol that joins to form a stone, Dr. Staller says. Fun (and disgusting) fact: They’re typically yellow, according to the NIDDK. Pigment gallstones, on the other hand, are often dark brown or black. They occur when your bile contains too much bilirubin, a chemical your body produces as it breaks down red blood cells.

A few other factors can contribute to stone formation, like your bile not having enough bile salts (compounds that help break down your fat) and your gallbladder not emptying correctly or often enough, according to the Mayo Clinic. All told, about 10 to 15 percent of the U. S. population has had gallstones and about 1 million people are diagnosed with gallstones every year, according to the NIDDK. So, yeah, gallstones that can cause a gallbladder attack (and gallbladder attack symptoms) are pretty common.

Here are the gallbladder attack symptoms to look out for.

You can have gallstones and not even know it—or you can really know you have them due to certain symptoms.

Pain in the gallbladder – causes and treatment

Contents

The answer to the question, why the gallbladder hurts , is most often characterized by the development of gallstone disease. This is a pathology that is characterized by the formation of dense insoluble calculi (stones) of the structures of the hepatobiliary system, which include the gallbladder, common and hepatic duct.

Gallbladder – where is it located and how does it hurt?

Anatomically, this organ is located in the right hypochondrium, under the lower surface of the liver. The right hypochondrium is the anatomical region of the human body, which is located under the lower edge of the costal arch (upper abdomen). The appearance of pain or discomfort in this area indicates various pathological processes of the liver or structures of the hepatobiliary system. Such pain can have a different character, depending on the pathological process that led to its development:

• Diffuse (widespread) aching or arching pain – indicates an inflammatory process of the liver (hepatitis) or the presence of degenerative-dystrophic changes in it (hepatosis).
• Point (local) pain characterizes the pathological process of the structures of the hepatobiliary system. The most common cause of its appearance is cholecystitis (an inflammatory process with gallbladder damage) or cholelithiasis (the formation of insoluble calculi in the cavity of the structures of the hepatobiliary system).

Characteristic sensations

Cholecystitis is characterized by a constant feeling of discomfort, localized near the right hypochondrium, which increases after eating fried or fatty foods. In the presence of insoluble formations, pain is paroxysmal in nature and is called hepatic colic. Depending on how the gallbladder hurts , the doctor may suspect a certain pathological process and prescribe appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

If the gallbladder hurts – what to do?

With the appearance of pain, discomfort in the right hypochondrium, which are accompanied by bitterness in the mouth, aggravated after ingestion of fatty, fried foods or alcohol, it is worth suspecting the development of a pathological reaction of the structures of the hepatobiliary system. In this case, first of all, you need to consult a specialist doctor. Based on the data obtained from the clinical study, he will conduct a further additional examination, including ultrasound diagnostics, laboratory analysis of bile, duodenal sounding.

Using modern diagnostic methods, the clinic of the North Caucasus Railway in Rostov-on-Don determines the localization, chemical and physical characteristics of the calculus, which makes it possible to choose further optimal treatment tactics. In most cases, once a stone is found, it is removed by surgery. Laparoscopic procedure or laser evaporation. The choice of removal technique is carried out by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on the size, number of calculi, their location, age and general condition of the patient.

Can the gallbladder hurt without stones in it?

The development of pain in the structures of the hepatobiliary system may be the result of an inflammatory reaction without the formation of stones in their cavity. Nevertheless, such symptoms require further detailed investigation to rule out the presence of stones and prescribe anti-inflammatory therapy.

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Gallbladder stones: types, symptoms and treatment

The gallbladder is an important organ that takes part in the digestive process. It is responsible for the accumulation and storage of bile. With violations in his work, a person begins to be disturbed by pain in the right side of the abdominal cavity and other unpleasant symptoms. One of the reasons why the gallbladder ceases to function normally is the formation of gallstones.

Solid growths result from stagnant bile. During stagnant processes, its individual components precipitate and crystallize. These crystallized formations are gallstones. At first, they do not cause discomfort to the patient, but over the years they increase in size and disrupt the functioning of the gallbladder. If you do not see a doctor in time, a number of complications may occur: blockage of the bile ducts, acute cholecystitis, biliary pancreatitis, fistula formation.

Why do gallstones appear?

Causes that cause thickening and stagnation of bile:

• malnutrition: overeating, abuse of fatty, fried, smoked foods, lack of vegetables and fruits in the diet, prolonged starvation;
• high cholesterol;
• diet high in animal fats;
• diabetes mellitus;
• metabolic disorder;
• presence of parasites;
• overweight;
• hormonal changes in the body – pregnancy, menopause, treatment with drugs containing hormones;
• certain diseases: diabetes mellitus, infectious diseases, biliary dyskinesia, Crohn’s disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis and other liver pathologies;
• long-term treatment with certain drugs;
• taking hormonal contraceptives;
• frequent drinking;
• unfavorable heredity.

Patients who have one or more risk factors should be vigilant about their health and have an abdominal ultrasound examination once a year.

Symptoms of gallstones

At first, gallstone disease is asymptomatic. A person may not be aware of the formation of calculi for years until the problem is detected on a routine ultrasound examination. Pathology can be suspected by the following signs:

• discomfort, heaviness, pain in the right hypochondrium, worse after eating;
• bitter taste in the mouth;
• frequent belching;
• dark urine;
• light-colored feces;
• stool disorders;
• intermittent nausea.

If the stone moves along the duct, pain can be felt in the lower abdomen, radiating to the thigh.

Movement of stones may cause blockage of the bile duct or duodenal papilla. In this case, intestinal colic will occur, which is accompanied by:

• severe pain that may radiate to the back;
• yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, sclera of the eyes;
• bilious vomiting;
• fever – a symptom indicates the development of an acute inflammatory process.

An attack of colic can last from half an hour to 12 hours. After the stone moves into the duodenum and the bile flow is restored, the pain subsides. However, colic will resume as soon as the next element moves. Therefore, gallstones are a problem, the solution of which cannot be postponed until later. Otherwise, the patient will face complications that require urgent surgical intervention.

What types of stones are found in the gallbladder?

Solid masses in the gallbladder vary in color, shape, size and composition. They are usually round in shape. Stones that fit snugly against each other will be uneven, with edges. The range of sizes varies from small, like sand, to large, filling the bubble cavity completely.

According to their composition, calculi are divided into:

• Cholesterol stones are formed as a result of disorders in the metabolism of cholesterol and bile acids. They have a yellowish, golden or greenish tint. More common in people who are overweight. The formation of such stones is rarely accompanied by an inflammatory process, so their presence goes unnoticed for a long time.
• Bilirubin – formed due to changes in the composition of the blood. More often these are rounded single calculi of a dark color, but there are also multiple calculi of small sizes.
• Calcium – are formed as a result of inflammatory processes in the gallbladder. They have a whitish tint, in addition to calcium, they contain dead epithelial cells, as well as cholesterol.
• Mixed – most common. They have a layered structure, consist of different elements – cholesterol, glycoprotein, bile acids, etc. Mixed stones often cause biliary colic.

Diagnosis of cholelithiasis

The diagnosis is made on the basis of a medical examination, the results of laboratory tests of urine and blood, as well as instrumental studies.

Instrumental methods that make it possible to examine the ducts, assess the localization, size, shape of calculi, determine their composition:

• ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• computed tomography;
• cholecystocholangiography – X-ray examination using contrast. Stones that are not detected by X-ray,
• are called X-ray negative.

Examination methods are determined by the doctor based on the symptoms, clinical picture, and the patient’s condition. Further therapeutic tactics depend on the results obtained.

How to treat gallstones?

There are three types of medical tactics for gallstone disease:

Observation – used for asymptomatic course and absence of inflammatory processes.
Conservative therapy – a tactic aimed at dissolving stones with the help of drugs or shock wave lithotripsy – destroying stones with a laser or ultrasound.

As medicines the patient is prescribed:

• antispasmodics – reduce pain caused by contraction of the gallbladder;
• drugs that normalize the composition of bile, such as drugs based on ursodeoxycholic acid, such as Ursaklin.
• digestive enzymes;
• cholagogues

For gallstones, treatment with tablets should be agreed with the doctor. The specialist will prescribe the dosage, regimen and duration of taking the drugs. During therapy, the doctor monitors the dynamics with the help of ultrasound. Drug therapy is more likely to be effective in the presence of X-ray negative stones. For large pigmented and calcified calculi, other methods of treatment are required.

• Shock wave lithotripsy is used infrequently. The method is suitable for patients with mild symptoms, high duct patency and small cholesterol formations.
• Surgical treatment – removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). It is used when conservative methods are ineffective.

Cholecystectomy can be performed in two ways:

• cavitary – used in advanced form of gallstone disease, accompanied by inflammation of the bladder walls;
• laparoscopic – the procedure is performed through small punctures in the abdominal cavity. This is a safer method, after which the patient recovers faster than after abdominal surgery.

For stones in the gallbladder, the doctor prescribes treatment, focusing on the patient’s condition, the number and size of stones, and the presence of an inflammatory process. If the doctor recommends cholecystectomy, do not be afraid and postpone the procedure. The gallbladder is not a vital organ; patients live without it for many years, practically without changing their habitual lifestyle.

Gallbladder stones: treatment with diet

In gallstone disease, the patient must follow a special diet that includes:

Food should be steamed, boiled or stewed.

To be excluded from the diet:

• canned food;
• hot spices and condiments;
• sauces;
• strong tea and coffee;
• carbonated water;
• fatty meats;
• hard-boiled eggs;
• smoked products;
• fresh pastries;
• chocolate.