Cholecystitis: Types, Symptoms and Treatment

• Simply put, cholecystitis is the inflammation of your gallbladder. More specifically this condition is the inflammation of the wall of your gallbladder and adjacent gallbladder lining
• There are several types and symptoms of cholecystitis. There are also a range of cholecystitis treatment options available, both natural and medical
• If you have experienced symptoms relating to acute cholecystitis or emphysematous cholectystitis there is hope
• Patients with both acalculus cholecystitis and calculous cholecystitis have options on treatment as the symptoms vary
• Below is a list of the various types of cholecystitis and corresponding symptoms and treatment options

1) Acute Cholecystitis

Symptoms – Signs and symptoms of acute cholecystitis include a sudden attack of severe and constant pain usually in the upper abdomen region. Most all patients with symptoms of cholecystitis in this fashion experience gallstones.

Treatment – Hospitalization is recommended and oftentimes required. Surgery and removal of the gallbladder is normally done within the first 24 to 48 hours of the attack and hospitalization. If the patient suffers from kidney or liver issues, surgery may be prolonged for up to six weeks.

2) Acalculus Cholecystitis

Symptoms – Acalculus cholecystits is more rare than acute but similar in nature. With acalculus there are usually no gallstones formed but still severe and constant pain in the upper abdomen region.

Treatment – Major surgery is almost always required with acalculus cholecystitis treatment. Fasting for prolonged periods of time is necessary and intravenous feedings are necessary as well for lengthened amounts of time. A deficiency in the immune system can occur and care is often needed for this symptom. Almost 100% of the time, patients with acalculus cholecystitis require immediate surgery to remove the diseased gallbladder.

3) Calculous Cholecystitis

Symptoms – Similar to the other types of cholecystitis, calculous cholecystitis causes pain in the abdominal region that can radiate into the back and shoulder blade area.

Treatment – Gallbladder surgery is required. In all cases the diseased gallbladder is removed right away and hospitalization is necessary in case of further infection. Cholecystitis treatment must take place in a hospital and under medical supervision. A simple diet change is not enough. The gallbladder must be removed due to the spread of infection. Fasting for prolonged periods of time is necessary and intravenous feedings are required as well for lengthened amounts of time. A deficiency in the immune system can occur and additional medical care is often needed.

4) Emphysematous Cholecystitis

Symptoms – Emphysematous cholecystitis is less common than many gallbladder issues. Symptoms of cholecystitis occur when there is a sudden infection onset of the gallbladder that is caused by gas forming micro-organisms. Gallstones are oftentimes present and there may even be an impaction of the gallstones.

Treatment – In all cases the diseased gallbladder is removed right away and hospitalization is necessary in case of further infection. Cholecystitis treatment must take place in a hospital and under medical supervision. A simple diet change is not enough. The gallbladder must be removed due to the spread of infection. Fasting for prolonged periods of time is necessary and intravenous feedings are required as well for lengthened amounts of time. A deficiency in the immune system can occur and additional medical care is often needed.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.