Acute cholecystitis is swelling (inflammation) of the gallbladder. It is a potentially serious condition that usually needs to be treated in hospital. The main symptom of acute cholecystitis is a sudden sharp pain in the upper right side of your tummy (abdomen) that spreads towards your right shoulder.
The affected part of the abdomen is usually extremely tender, and breathing deeply can make the pain worse. Unlike some others types of abdominal pain, the pain associated with acute cholecystitis is usually persistent, and doesn’t go away within a few hours.
Some people may additional symptoms, such as: a high temperature (fever), nausea and vomiting, sweating and many more
Causes
According to an article by Mayoclinic published on the 28th of August 2020 Cholecystitis occurs when your gallbladder becomes inflamed. Gallbladder inflammation can be caused by:
Gallstones – Often times, cholecystitis is the result of hard particles that develop in your gallbladder (gallstones). Gallstones can block the tube (cystic duct) through which bile flows when it leaves the gallbladder. Bile builds up, causing inflammation.
Tumor – The presence of tumors in the pancreas or liver may stop the bile from draining out of the gallbladder properly, resulting in an accumulation of bile which can lead to Cholecystitis.
Injury – If there is any injury to the abdomen due to severe burns, sepsis, trauma, or surgery it may result in inflammation of the gallbladder.
Infection and Blood vessel problems – AIDS and certain viral infections can trigger gallbladder inflammation. An infection affects your gallbladder. Bacteria can damage the system that drains bile, causing it to back up. Also, A very severe illness can damage blood vessels and decrease blood flow to the gallbladder, leading to cholecystitis.
When to seek medical advice
You should see your GP as soon as possible if you develop sudden and severe abdominal pain, particularly if the pain lasts longer than a few hours or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as jaundice and a fever.
