How long does a gallbladder attack typically last. What are the common symptoms of a gallstone attack. Can gallbladder pain be managed without surgery. What diagnostic tests are used to confirm gallbladder issues. Why is laparoscopic cholecystectomy the preferred surgical approach for gallstones.

Understanding Gallbladder Attacks and Their Causes

Gallbladder attacks, often caused by gallstones, can be an excruciating experience for many individuals. These attacks occur when gallstones obstruct bile flow, leading to inflammation and pain. But what exactly are gallstones, and how do they form?

Gallstones develop when bile, stored in the gallbladder, contains an excess of cholesterol or bilirubin. These substances can crystallize and clump together, forming stones that range from the size of a sand particle to that of a golf ball. Incomplete emptying of the gallbladder can also contribute to stone formation.

Are all gallbladder attacks caused by stones? No, some patients experience attacks due to gallbladder dysfunction or infection, a condition known as acalculous cholecystitis. This underscores the complexity of gallbladder issues and the need for accurate diagnosis.

Recognizing the Symptoms of a Gallbladder Attack

Identifying a gallbladder attack is crucial for seeking timely medical attention. The symptoms can vary, but typically include:

• Sudden, sharp pain in the upper right abdomen
• Pain radiating to the upper back or shoulder
• Cramping or dull ache below the rib cage
• Stabbing pain just below the breastbone
• Tenderness in the upper or lower right abdomen
• Chest pain that might be confused with a heart attack

Accompanying these primary symptoms, individuals may also experience:

• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
• Dark urine
• Light-colored or pasty stools

How long does a typical gallbladder attack last? The duration can vary significantly, ranging from 30 minutes to several hours. Some patients report attacks lasting even longer, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of these episodes.

Diagnosing Gallbladder Issues: Tests and Procedures

When a gallbladder attack is suspected, healthcare providers employ various diagnostic tools to confirm the issue. These may include:

1. Ultrasound: A non-invasive imaging technique that can detect gallstones and gallbladder inflammation
2. CT scan: Provides detailed images of the gallbladder and surrounding organs
3. Abdominal X-ray: Can sometimes reveal larger gallstones
4. Liver function blood test: Assesses liver health and bile duct obstruction
5. HIDA scan: Evaluates gallbladder function and bile flow

Why is accurate diagnosis crucial? Proper identification of the underlying cause ensures appropriate treatment, whether it’s addressing gallstones, gallbladder dysfunction, or other related issues.

Surgical Interventions for Gallbladder Problems

When gallbladder issues persist or cause significant discomfort, surgical intervention is often recommended. The most common procedure is cholecystectomy, which involves the complete removal of the gallbladder.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This minimally invasive approach is the preferred method for gallbladder removal. It offers several advantages:

• Smaller incisions, resulting in less scarring
• Reduced post-operative pain
• Shorter hospital stay (often performed as outpatient surgery)
• Quicker recovery time

How is laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed? The surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen, through which a camera and surgical instruments are inserted. The gallbladder is then carefully removed, and the incisions are closed.

Open Cholecystectomy

In some cases, an open surgical approach may be necessary. This traditional method involves a larger incision and is typically reserved for complicated cases or when laparoscopic surgery is not feasible.

Can patients live normally without a gallbladder? Yes, the body adapts to the absence of the gallbladder, with bile flowing directly from the liver to the small intestine via the hepatic duct.

Non-Surgical Management of Gallbladder Pain

While surgery is often the recommended treatment for recurrent gallbladder attacks, some patients may explore non-surgical options, especially if surgery is not immediately possible or advisable.

• Dietary modifications: Reducing fat intake and adopting a healthier diet
• Pain management: Over-the-counter or prescription medications to alleviate discomfort
• Ursodeoxycholic acid: A medication that may help dissolve small gallstones over time

Are these non-surgical approaches effective long-term solutions? While they may provide temporary relief, they often do not address the underlying issue and may not prevent future attacks.

Preventing Gallbladder Attacks: Lifestyle and Dietary Considerations

Prevention plays a crucial role in managing gallbladder health. Several lifestyle and dietary factors can influence the risk of developing gallstones and experiencing attacks:

• Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity increases the risk of gallstone formation
• Regular exercise: Physical activity may help prevent gallstone development
• Balanced diet: Incorporating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting fatty foods
• Adequate hydration: Drinking plenty of water may help prevent stone formation

Can dietary changes alone prevent gallbladder attacks in all cases? While a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk, some individuals may still develop gallstones due to genetic or other factors beyond their control.

Complications and Long-Term Outlook for Gallbladder Issues

Untreated gallbladder problems can lead to serious complications, including:

• Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder
• Choledocholithiasis: Stones lodged in the common bile duct
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas due to gallstone blockage
• Gallbladder cancer: A rare but serious potential complication

What is the long-term outlook for patients who undergo gallbladder removal? Most individuals experience a full recovery and can lead normal lives without their gallbladder. However, some may experience temporary digestive changes as their body adjusts.

Emerging Treatments and Research in Gallbladder Care

The field of gallbladder treatment continues to evolve, with researchers exploring new approaches to manage and prevent gallstone formation. Some areas of ongoing research include:

• Improved dissolution therapies for non-surgical stone removal
• Advanced imaging techniques for early detection of gallbladder issues
• Personalized treatment plans based on genetic and lifestyle factors
• Minimally invasive alternatives to traditional cholecystectomy

How might these advancements change the landscape of gallbladder care? As research progresses, we may see more targeted, less invasive treatments that can address gallbladder issues without the need for organ removal in some cases.

Understanding gallbladder attacks and their management is crucial for anyone experiencing symptoms or at risk of developing gallstones. By recognizing the signs, seeking prompt medical attention, and considering both surgical and non-surgical options, patients can navigate this common yet potentially serious health issue effectively. As research continues to advance, we can look forward to even more sophisticated approaches to gallbladder care, offering hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for those affected by gallbladder problems.

Gallbladder Attack is Commonly Due to Gallstones

How do I know if I have a Gallbladder Attack?

We never think about our gallbladder, until we experience the severe, shooting pain of a gallbladder attack. The pain may be dull and achy, or it may be severe, shooting pain that is disabling and very humbling. Many tough people have been reduced to crying out in pain with a gallbladder attack. There is a tremendous variation in the different types of symptoms that people experience. The typical “attack” happens after eating a high-fat meal and can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours or even more. A fatty meal is not always the cause of the attack and sometimes patients with bad gallbladders do not have pain after some high fat meals, but then experience the pain after a different meal with less fat. The most common presentation begins with pain in the upper-right side of the abdomen below the rib cage and may spread to the right shoulder in the front or back, between the shoulder blades, and across the upper abdomen or lower chest. Nausea or vomiting may also occur with these symptoms. Less common, the pain may be located within the left upper quadrant of the abdomen or the right lower quadrant. Sometimes only nausea is present without consistent abdominal pain. Because of this variability, medical providers need to have a high suspicion when evaluating patients with any of these complaints.

How are Gallstones formed?

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ just below the liver which stores and releases extra bile into the small intestine for the digestion of fats. If bile contains too much cholesterol or bilirubin, it may lead to the formation of gallstones. Gallstones may also form if the gallbladder does not empty entirely or frequently. The excess material in bile forms crystals which clumps together to form stones. Gallstone size varies from a particle of sand to a golf ball, but mostly they are pebble-sized.

Gallstone attacks from gallstone disease happen when gallstones become infected with bacteria on their surface, when they irritate the inside of the gallbladder during gallbladder contraction, or when they move outside the gallbladder and block the bile flow by plugging a bile duct. The pain is not due to the stones, but because of the spasm of the gallbladder or bile ducts as they swell with the obstructed bile. The gallbladder itself can even become inflamed if too much bile gets trapped. Many patients that do not even have gallstones experience gallbladder attacks. This is due to dysfunction of the gallbladder or even infection which can be called acalculous cholecystitis. A large number of gallbladder surgeries are performed for patients that do not have stones, but suffer from gallbladder dysfunction, or ‘chronic cholecystitis”.

What are the symptoms of a Gallbladder Attack?

Pain caused by a gallbladder attack typically differs from other kinds of stomach pain. You may experience:

• Sudden sharp pain that may last for several minutes or hours
• Cramping or dull pain in the upper right part of the abdomen
• Radiation of the pain to the upper back or shoulder
• Stabbing pain just below the breastbone
• Tenderness in the upper or even lower right abdomen when you bend forward
• Lower chest pain which is sometimes confused for a heart attack

You may also have some other symptoms during a gallbladder attack, like:

• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eye
• Dark urine
• Light-colored or pasty appearing stools

A gallbladder attack can lead to some complications. For example, it can cause liver problems. Blockage of the duct can push the bile into the liver. This may trigger jaundice and cause yellowing of eyes and skin.

What is the treatment for a Gallbladder Attack?

Gallbladder attack may resolve on its own if gallstones safely pass through. Although your symptoms may subside, they can reappear, and you may need treatment.

To confirm that the pain is from the gallbladder, your doctor will suggest some tests and scans like:

• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• Abdominal X-ray
• A liver function blood test
• HIDA scan

Surgery is the Most Common and Recommended Treatment for Gallstones

The surgery done to remove the gallbladder is called Cholecystectomy. It is one of the most common surgeries done on adults in the USA. Since the gallbladder is not an important organ, you can live normally without it.

Usually, general anesthesia is given for this surgery. Once the gallbladder is removed, bile can flow from the liver directly into the small intestine through the hepatic duct, instead of being stored in the gallbladder.

Two Types of Gallbladder Surgeries can be Performed by a Surgeon

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The vast majority of cholecystectomies are done through laparoscopy as an outpatient procedure, meaning the patient can go home on the same day. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy became the standard of care operation in the early 1990’s instead of the older “open cholecystectomy” in which an incision (often large) is created under the rib cage in the upper right abdomen.

Open Cholecystectomy

This operation may be required if the gallbladder is severely infected, inflamed, or scarred. But, these operations should be rare with today’s technology and surgeon experience with that technology. In fact, facilities are now being rated to ensure that surgeons do not perform too many open procedures when a laparoscopic procedure could have been performed for the patient. With the open procedure hospital stay is extended, postoperative pain is increased, and complications such as postoperative adhesions and incisional hernias occur more frequently. Open gallbladder operations should be performed rarely and only as a last resort.

When to seek help for a Gallbladder Attack

A Gallbladder Attack is a warning sign which needs immediate evaluation. You should never try to endure or ignore gallbladder pain. Dr. Steven Williams has performed thousands of gallbladder surgeries since 1997, typically uses 1 less port site than most surgeons whether performing the surgery robotically or laparoscopically, has proven, excellent outcomes and the possibility of the patient awakening with a conversion to an “open” gallbladder procedure is so rare it is negligible.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Williams regarding your gallbladder, call: (208) 321-4790.

References:

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/symptoms-causes

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7313-gallstones

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/attack-of-the-gallstones

I had a gallbladder attack.

Now what?

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably developed some pretty severe abdominal pain. You may have had to call out of work, find someone to take care of your kids, or cancel those plans you were really looking forward to. You may have been to the emergency room or seen by your doctor and had an ultrasound done where gallstones were found.

A gallbladder attack can come on suddenly and be described as severe pain in the upper abdomen. These attacks can come any time and besides being extremely painful, can cause a significant disruption to your life. 

These attacks are usually caused by gallstones and are very common. Patients will often tell us that once they talk about these symptoms with friends and family, they start to realize that this problem has affected many people around them. Many of those people have gone on to have surgery to have their gallbladder removed.  

This article will give you the information you need about what causes gallbladder problems, what symptoms you might experience during an attack, and what treatments are available to you.  

What is the purpose of the gallbladder? 

The gallbladder is located in the right upper abdomen and serves as storage for bile, a liquid used by your body in digestion. Bile is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder which squeezes in response to eating. When the gallbladder squeezes, bile is delivered into the intestine to mix with food and digest fats. 

While bile is normally liquid, some of the substances that normally make up bile can stick together and form gallstones – the most common stones are formed from cholesterol. The size of these stones can vary from tiny to large and any size stone can cause symptoms. 

Up to 15% of Americans have gallstones but most people don’t have symptoms related to those stones. Most of the time, surgery is not needed unless a person has related symptoms. (Stinton LM, Shaffer EA. Epidemiology of gallbladder disease: cholelithiasis and cancer. Gut Liver. 2012;6(2):172-187. doi:10.5009/gnl.2012.6.2.172)

What are the symptoms of a gallbladder attack?

Stones can block the exit of the gallbladder or the ducts that drain the gallbladder. Both circumstances can cause significant pain in the upper abdomen. Pain is commonly in the right upper abdomen but also can occur in the mid upper abdomen, right side, and back. This pain can come on suddenly and last minutes to hours, or even days if the gallbladder becomes inflamed. 

Because the bile that is stored in the gallbladder is needed for digestion, blockage of the gallbladder can result in digestive symptoms like nausea, bloating, belching, development of foul smelling gas, or irregular bowel movements. 

Unfortunately nothing can be done to stop the symptoms and they usually only resolve once the stone has moved out of a position where it is blocking the gallbladder. Stones sometimes pass through the ducts or move from where they are stuck within the gallbladder.  

How do I know if I’m having a gallbladder attack? 

Sometimes these symptoms can be confusing and if you are having severe unrelenting pain, it is a good idea to go to the emergency room to be evaluated. It can be difficult to determine if your pain is from your gallbladder or if it could be related to other problems like heart attack or other abdominal surgical emergencies. Evaluation by a medical professional can help diagnose the problem. 

What can I do to prevent gallbladder attacks?  

If you have gallstones and gallbladder attacks, there is a good chance you will keep having them. The only thing you can do to limit the likelihood of another attack is to reduce your fatty food intake because eating fatty food stimulates the gallbladder to squeeze. Here is a helpful link for information on how to eat a low fat diet. For some patients, this can provide improvement in symptoms and nothing more is needed. For others, symptoms may continue and further treatment should be considered.  

What treatment is available for gallbladder attacks? 

Gallbladder pain attacks related to gallstones can only really be treated by removing the gallbladder. Removing the gallstones themselves is not done because the gallbladder will just make more stones. Unfortunately, the problem is with the gallbladder itself and the stones are a byproduct of this problem. 

Surgery to remove the gallbladder is usually completed laparoscopically. This is a minimally invasive procedure where tiny incisions (usually 4 incisions) are made in the upper abdomen instead of the larger incision over the gallbladder. These tiny incisions allow the operation to be completed without having to cut muscle. General anesthesia is required to remove the gallbladder. With this laparoscopic approach, patients usually go home the same day they have surgery and have a quicker recovery period with less pain. 

What is recovery like after surgery for gallbladder removal? 

Recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is relatively quick and tolerated very well. Even with small incisions, some pain is normal after surgery and for the most part managed with over the counter pain medications like tylenol and ibuprofen.

It’s a good idea to walk as much as possible after surgery because this reduces risks of complications like pneumonia and blood clots. Some activities will cause pain at your incisions, especially things that strain the core, and these activities should be avoided while they are painful.  

Once the gallbladder is removed, your body adjusts to no longer having the gallbladder as a part of your digestive system. The gallbladder used to act as a storage center for bile. Once removed, your body learns to send bile straight into the intestine to help digest food. This can happen right away after surgery but sometimes can take a couple weeks. This adjustment period can result in some patients having loose bowel movements after eating fatty food in the weeks after surgery. If you have problems with loose bowel movements after gallbladder surgery, consider transitioning to a low fat diet and taking fiber supplements (metamucil and citrucel are some examples). 

Overall, recovery will vary depending on each individual patient but usually patients can get back to work within a week and can be active right away.

Hospitalization for cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is an inflammatory disease of the gallbladder, one of the most common pathologies. It is characterized by damage to the wall of the bladder with a violation of the outflow of bile due to insufficient tone of the bile ducts. There are non-calculous cholecystitis and calculous form – the presence of stones. In the first case, a characteristic symptom is a dull pain in the right hypochondrium, accompanied by bloating, nausea, belching, and impaired stool. With calculous cholecystitis, attacks of acute pain in the right hypochondrium join. Outside the period of exacerbation, there is a sluggish inflammation in the bladder wall. Chronic cholecystitis lasts for years, it is characterized by alternating periods of remission with exacerbations.

Why you need to see a doctor

If left untreated, the constant presence of an inflammatory focus can lead to a number of complications: inflammation of the pancreas, development of jaundice, dropsy of the gallbladder, perforation with bile entering the peritoneal cavity. In these cases, the patient needs urgent hospitalization. With cholecystitis, the inflammatory process in the gallbladder may be accompanied by the formation of calculi (stones), resulting in the need for surgical treatment, often we are talking about emergency intervention.

Causes of jaundice

There are several predisposing factors that can lead to the disease. As a rule, cholecystitis develops against the background of dyskinesia, in which the outflow of bile is disturbed, and gastritis with reduced secretory activity. Often the cause of cholecystitis is the entry of an infectious agent through the bile ducts or blood into the gallbladder: streptococci, staphylococci, enterococci, etc. Also, the presence of parasites in the body, giardiasis, ascariasis, opisthorchiasis, etc. can also cause cholecystitis.

What do we offer

• Diagnostics. First of all, it is important to determine the cause of the disease, it is also necessary to exclude the calculous form and identify the presence of complications; This can only be done through a survey. At the service of patients, X-ray, endoscopic, ultrasound methods, computed tomography, as well as the whole range of laboratory tests: with us, a person can count on a comprehensive diagnosis, thanks to the capabilities of the clinic, the diagnosis will be made as soon as possible.
• Symptomatic treatment. The therapy is aimed at eliminating pain, eliminating the inflammatory process and spasms of the bile ducts, which prevent the outflow of bile. In the presence of intoxication, detoxification therapy is indicated. When the temperature rises, antibiotics may be prescribed. In addition, bed rest is important, and parenteral nutrition is often recommended during exacerbations. Conservative treatment is prescribed strictly individually, taking into account the causes of cholecystitis.
• Surgical treatment is indicated when medical therapy is ineffective, as well as when symptoms worsen. In addition, urgent surgery is performed in the presence of complications: jaundice, purulent or gangrenous form of cholecystitis, perforation of the gallbladder, etc. In our country, cholecystectomy – removal of the gallbladder – is usually performed by the laparoscopic method – a painless and bloodless technique. The period of hospitalization does not exceed 2-3 days, after healing, the traces of several small incisions on the skin of the abdomen are almost invisible.

Why is it better to contact us

• Individual approach. We assign examination methods to each patient, taking into account the causes and symptoms of the disease. Treatment is prescribed only on the basis of the results obtained, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body: age, the presence of concomitant diseases and existing contraindications, etc. We also have the possibility of treatment at a day hospital, the patient can count on a full range of services without the need for a round-the-clock stay in the clinic.
• High quality treatment. We use only modern methods of treatment, thanks to which you can quickly achieve relief from the condition, when prescribing symptomatic treatment, the most effective drugs of the latest generation are used. If surgical treatment is necessary, preference is always given to low-traumatic methods that allow for recovery in the shortest possible time.
• Each patient is observed by experienced specialists, we employ surgeons, therapists, diagnosticians with the highest category, as well as candidates and doctors of science. If necessary, we involve doctors of various specializations in the treatment of the patient, whose experience and knowledge will help to achieve a quick and complete recovery.
• If the patient follows all the recommendations of the attending physician, the development of complications is excluded. The modern drugs used in therapy and the use of video endoscopic equipment during the operation allow us to achieve the best result, while the number of complications in our clinic is minimized.

Cholecystitis is a rather serious disease in which the correct treatment is important. Timely hospitalization for cholecystitis often prevents the development of dangerous complications. If you have been diagnosed with cholecystitis, trust our experienced specialists, and then a full recovery is possible!

Chronic cholecystitis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Content

• 1 Chronic cholecystitis: symptoms, causes and treatment
  • 1. 1 Chronic cholecystitis: useful tips on the site
  • 1.2 Chronic cholecystitis: causes, symptoms and treatment
    • 1.2. 1 What is chronic cholecystitis?
  • 1.3 Causes of chronic cholecystitis
  • 1.4 Symptoms of chronic cholecystitis
  • 1.5 How to diagnose chronic cholecystitis?
  • 1.6 Treatment of chronic cholecystitis: principles and methods
    • 1.6.1 Basic principles of treatment of chronic cholecystitis
    • cholecystitis
    • 1.8 Physiotherapy and diet for chronic cholecystitis
    • 1.9 Surgical treatment of chronic cholecystitis
    • 1.10 How to maintain a healthy gallbladder: recommendations from doctors
    • 1.11 Related videos:
    • 1.12 Q&A:
      • • 1.12.0.1 What are the causes of chronic cholecystitis?
        • 1.12.0.2 What are the symptoms of chronic cholecystitis?
        • 1.12.0.3 What diagnostic methods are available for chronic cholecystitis?
        • 1.12. 0.4 How is chronic cholecystitis treated?
        • 1.12.0.5 How does diet affect the rehabilitation of a patient with chronic cholecystitis?
        • 1.12.0.6 How is recovery after gallbladder surgery?

  Chronic cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder, manifested by pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, disorders of the stomach and biliary system. In the article we talk about the symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment of chronic cholecystitis.

  Chronic cholecystitis is a common disease of the digestive system, which develops due to inflammation in the gallbladder. It can lead to various health problems if you do not pay timely attention to it.

  Chronic cholecystitis can be caused by many factors, including dietary disturbances, viruses, bacteria, and genetic predispositions. It is manifested by unpleasant symptoms, such as pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and others.

  Fortunately, there are many ways to treat chronic cholecystitis, including drugs, dietary advice, and surgery. But the most important thing is to seek help from specialists in order to get a correct diagnosis and effective treatment.

  Our website provides helpful tips and tricks to help you understand the causes and symptoms of chronic cholecystitis, as well as suggest the best treatment options. Don’t wait for the problem to get worse – start taking care of your health today!

  Chronic cholecystitis: useful tips on the site

  Chronic cholecystitis is an inflammatory disease of the gallbladder. It occurs due to various factors such as malnutrition, infections, and diseases of the biliary tract. Symptoms of chronic cholecystitis may include pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, and vomiting.

  People suffering from chronic cholecystitis may be advised to drink pure water, green tea, and vitamins and minerals to maintain a healthy liver and biliary tract. In addition, there are certain dietary supplements that can help guide your diet.

  On the site you can find useful tips for the treatment of chronic cholecystitis, both conservative and surgical approaches. It is also important to be aware that some treatments may cause side effects and should be closely monitored by the physician.

  • Try to eat foods that can help thin bile and reduce inflammation, such as vegetables, berries, and fruits.
  • Consult your doctor for the right treatment plan, depending on the severity of the disease and the presence of other diseases.
  • Don’t forget about a healthy lifestyle and exercise, which can have a positive effect on the gallbladder and biliary tract.

  Chronic cholecystitis: causes, symptoms and treatment

  What is chronic cholecystitis?

  Chronic cholecystitis is a disease of the gallbladder, which is characterized by inflammation of its walls, followed by dysfunction of the organ. The progressive process of the disease leads to a change in the shape of the gallbladder and a decrease in its size.

  Chronic cholecystitis can be provoked by various factors, such as irregular nutrition, decreased immunity, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the presence of chronic infections, etc.

  Only a timely visit to a doctor, the appointment of appropriate treatment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help to avoid complications and restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

  Causes of chronic cholecystitis

  Chronic cholecystitis is one of the most common diseases of the gallbladder. This is an inflammatory process in the walls of the body, which lasts a long time.

  The main causes of chronic cholecystitis are:

  • Eating disorders. Regular consumption of fatty, spicy, fried foods, and alcoholic beverages can lead to the formation of gallstones and trigger the inflammatory process.
  • Genetic predisposition. The presence of close relatives of chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis or other diseases of the biliary tract increases the risk of developing this disease.
  • Infectious agents. Most chronic cholecystitis is caused by a bacterial infection or parasitic disease such as chlamydia or giardiasis.
  • Metabolic disorders. Obesity, diabetes, and thyroid disease can lead to metabolic disorders and the formation of gallstones.

  Despite the fact that chronic cholecystitis is not a dangerous disease, its treatment requires mandatory supervision and control by a physician. Malnutrition and lack of treatment can lead to complications and sudden attacks of gallstone disease.

  Symptoms of chronic cholecystitis

  Pain in the right hypochondrium is one of the main symptoms of chronic cholecystitis. Pain can be of varying intensity: from mild discomfort to severe dizziness. Sometimes pains can pierce the abdomen and wake the patient during a night’s sleep.

  Dyspeptic symptoms are very common in people with chronic cholecystitis. This may include: nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, or constipation.

  Loss of appetite and weight – chronic cholecystitis can reduce appetite and lead to a constant feeling of fullness, as well as weight loss for no apparent reason. This may be due to the fact that food is not digested properly, due to a lack of bile.

  • Changes in the skin and eyes – as a rule, people with chronic cholecystitis suffer from jaundice. Usually the skin and eyes begin to turn yellow. This is due to the fact that the bile secreted by the liver stagnates in the hepatic ducts and becomes concentrated, which leads to diseases of the gallbladder and liver.
  • Fever – Sometimes chronic cholecystitis can be accompanied by low or moderate fever. This may be due to an infection developing around the inflamed tissues of the gallbladder.

  How to diagnose chronic cholecystitis?

  Chronic cholecystitis is a disease that usually develops over a long period of time and can cause malfunction of the gallbladder.

  Symptoms of chronic cholecystitis may include gallbladder pain, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, and loss of appetite.

  If you experience any of the above symptoms, please contact your doctor, who will conduct all the necessary tests and prescribe treatment in advance, as well as give recommendations for changing the diet.

  In addition, it is important to monitor your health and, if possible, avoid stress and nervous overload, treat any social and psychological problems in a timely manner and lead a healthy lifestyle, which will help strengthen the immune system and protect not only the gallbladder, but the entire body from various diseases .

  Treatment of chronic cholecystitis: principles and methods

  Basic principles of treatment of chronic cholecystitis

  Treatment of chronic cholecystitis should be comprehensive and include:

  • Diet therapy – the exclusion of fatty, fried, spicy, smoked, canned foods, alcohol.
  • Treatment of concomitant diseases – pancreatitis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
  • Taking drugs to reduce inflammation and pain – antibiotics, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • External administration of choleretic drugs – choleretic preparations that can reduce the inflammatory process.

  Treatments for chronic cholecystitis

  There are several treatments for chronic cholecystitis:

  1. Drug treatment is the use of drugs to reduce inflammation and pain symptoms.
  2. Surgical treatment – removal of the gallbladder. Indications for surgery are: the appearance of stones in the gallbladder, an increased risk of developing gallbladder cancer.
  3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – reduction of pain symptoms and inflammation in the gallbladder.

  Drugs for the treatment of chronic cholecystitis Drug name Action Side effects

  Amoxicillin	Kills bacteria, reduces inflammation.	Allergic reactions, dyspepsia.
  Drotaverine	Helps to relax the muscles of the biliary tract, reduces pain symptoms.	Dizziness, nausea, decreased blood pressure.
  Ursosan	Reduces the concentration of cholesterol in bile and promotes its excretion, preventing the formation of gallstones.	Dyspepsia.

  Drug treatment of chronic cholecystitis

  Treatment of chronic cholecystitis with pharmacological drugs is carried out in order to facilitate the processes of bile formation, eliminate pain and prevent possible complications.

  To improve digestion and prevent the formation of gallstones, enzyme preparations and agents that improve the tone of the biliary tract are used.

  Pain medications such as analgesics and antispasmodics are prescribed for acute pain in the gallbladder area.

  During the treatment of chronic cholecystitis, it is necessary to strictly monitor the medication regimen and dosage, as well as not to forget about additional doctor’s prescriptions, such as diet and exercise.

  Self-treatment is strictly prohibited and may lead to an exacerbation of the disease and the development of complications. In case of unwanted side effects, you should immediately consult a doctor.

  Physiotherapy and diet for chronic cholecystitis

  Physiotherapy is an additional tool in the treatment of chronic cholecystitis that can help improve circulation to the gallbladder area and remove congestion. One of the effective methods is ultrasound therapy, which allows you to stimulate the secretion of bile and promotes the destruction of stones. Electrophoresis can also be used, which accelerates the process of resorption of stones, and also reduces pain and inflammation in the biliary tract.

  Proper nutrition and diet is an equally important aspect in the treatment of chronic cholecystitis. The main priority is to reduce free fats and carbohydrates in the diet, as well as increase the intake of proteins and fiber, which help in the work of the stomach and intestines. Of great importance are vegetable oils, which help to speed up the release of bile, as well as reducing the amount of heavy meals and snacks, especially before bedtime. Alcohol and smoking should also be completely excluded from the diet.

  A short list of foods recommended for consumption in chronic cholecystitis:

  • Lean meat and fish
  • Rice and cereals
  • Greens, light vegetables and fruits
  • Low-fat dairy products

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  Following the rules of nutrition and completing the course physiotherapy, it is possible to achieve improvement in chronic cholecystitis and reduce the risk of complications.

  Surgery for chronic cholecystitis

  Cholecystitis is a disease that often requires surgery. Chronic cholecystitis is an unpleasant consequence that can result from several exacerbations of the disease. Surgical treatment is an effective method of getting rid of chronic cholecystitis.

  One of the most common surgical procedures for chronic cholecystitis is cholecystectomy. During this operation, the gallbladder is removed through a small incision in the abdomen. This can be done with traditional surgery or minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy offer fewer complications and faster recovery compared to conventional surgery.

  However, there are a few things to consider before deciding on a surgical treatment. Some people may not be suitable for surgery if they have other medical problems such as obesity, heart or lung disease, allergic reactions to anesthesia, etc. In addition, it is important to discuss all the risks and benefits of surgery with your doctor.

  In general, surgical treatment of chronic cholecystitis is an effective way to get rid of this unpleasant disease. But before you decide on a surgical treatment, it is important to discuss all the possible risks and benefits with your doctor.

  How to keep your gallbladder healthy: doctor’s advice

  Chronic cholecystitis causes abdominal discomfort, indigestion and can lead to serious complications. However, in most cases, the disease can be prevented by following a few simple rules.

  • Watch your diet. Eliminate fatty, spicy, fried foods, fast carbohydrates and alcohol from your diet. Eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, protein.
  • Drink enough water. Regular hydration helps remove bile from the bladder, preventing it from thickening and forming stones.
  • Watch your weight. Avoid sudden weight changes, reduce body weight gradually if it exceeds the norm. Obesity increases the risk of gallbladder disease.
  • Exercise regularly. Moderate exercise helps to strengthen the abdominal muscles and improve blood circulation in the digestive organs.
  • Avoid stressful situations. Do not take on too many obligations, learn to control your emotions, practice meditation, yoga or other relaxation methods.

  Maintaining the health of the gallbladder is not only the prevention of chronic cholecystitis, but also a general improvement in digestion, which means a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole organism.

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  Q&A:

  What are the causes of chronic cholecystitis?

  The habit of overeating, the frequent use of fatty and fried foods, the presence of excess weight, as well as metabolic disorders in the body – all this contributes to the occurrence of chronic cholecystitis.

  What are the symptoms of chronic cholecystitis?

  Symptoms of chronic cholecystitis may manifest themselves against the background of general fatigue, apathy, nausea and vomiting, pain in the right hypochondrium after eating fatty, fried or spicy foods, stool disorders, itching and skin rashes.

  What diagnostic methods are available for chronic cholecystitis?

  Diagnosis of cholecystitis is carried out by ultrasound, examination by a gastroenterologist, determination of the level of bilirubin in the blood, x-ray of the bile ducts and various tests.