Chronic Cholecystitis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Chronic Cholecystitis – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. Also, Chronic Cholecystitis is sudden inflammation of the gallbladder . If this condition persists over time, such as for months, with repeated attacks, or if there are recurring problems with the function of the gallbladder , it is known as Chronic Cholecystitis .

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located at the bottom of the liver . It stores bile made by the liver  and sends it to the small intestine through the common bile duct (CBD) to aid in the digestion of fats.

CBD links the liver , gallbladder, and pancreas to the small intestine. Gallstones that block CBD are the main cause of cholecystitis . This blockage causes bile to build up in the gallbladder , and this buildup causes the gallbladder to become inflamed.

Causes of Chronic Cholecystitis: Most often, Chronic Cholecystitis is caused by repeated attacks of acute (sudden) cholecystitis. Most of these attacks are caused by gallstones in the gallbladder .

These attacks cause the walls of the gallbladder to thicken. The gallbladder starts to shrink. Over time, the gallbladder is less able to concentrate, store, and release bile. The disease occurs more often in women than in men. It is more common after age 40.

Symptoms of Chronic Cholecystitis: Chronic Cholecystitis  manifests with a set of non-specific symptoms that include nausea, vagus, abdominal pain, belching, and diarrhea
. Acute cholecystitis, on the other hand, causes right upper quadrant abdominal pain; However, the pain may be referred to the shoulder. This is accompanied by low-grade fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and increased white blood cell counts .

Chronic Cholecystitis often develops as a result of repeated attacks of Chronic Cholecystitis. When severe symptoms such as jaundice, high fever and shock are observed; Then, it indicates the development of complications such as abscess formation, perforation or intestinal obstruction

Chronic Cholecystitis Diagnoses: Your doctor will review your medical history and ask about any previous episodes of abdominal discomfort, especially those triggered by high-fat meals to diagnose Chronic Cholecystitis. 

Your doctor will ask if you have experienced any recent rapid weight loss and about any medications you currently take, particularly birth control pills and estrogen replacement therapy (because this can lead to gallstone formation ).

During the physical exam, your doctor will pay special attention to the upper right part of your abdomen, where your liver  and gallbladder  are located. Blood tests may reveal an elevated white blood cell count, which suggests an infection, or elevated liver enzymes, which suggests a blockage and/or irritation of the gallbladder and bile ducts.

Chronic Cholecystitis Treatments: Surgery is the usual treatment for Chronic Cholecystitis . Surgery to remove the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy to treat Chronic Cholecystitis  is performed most frequently. This surgery uses smaller surgical cuts, which results in a faster recovery. Patients are often sent home from the hospital on the same day as surgery or the next morning. Open cholecystectomy requires a larger cut in the upper right part of the abdomen.

In patients who are too sick to have surgery due to other illnesses or conditions, gallstones can be dissolved with medication taken by mouth. However, this can take 2 years or more to work, and the stones can return after treatment.