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Home / Patient Information / What is Cholecystitis (Gallbladder Infection)?
If you’ve been feeling a sharp pain on the right side of your chest, especially after meals, it could be more than just indigestion — you might be dealing with a gallbladder infection.
Cholecystitis, commonly known as a gallbladder infection, occurs when a gallstone blocks bile (digestive juice) from leaving the organ. Normally, bile drains from the gallbladder into the small intestine. When this bile flow is obstructed, bile builds up inside the gallbladder, causing inflammation and irritation. This can lead to a gallbladder infection and, if untreated, may result in more serious complications such as severe infection.
The most common symptom of a gallbladder infection (acute cholecystitis) is sudden, severe abdominal pain. This pain usually starts in the upper right side of the abdomen and can radiate to the right shoulder, upper back, or even the right side of the chest—a symptom often reported by women.
Women experiencing sharp pain on the right side of their chest should consider gallbladder infection as a possible cause, especially if the pain worsens after eating fatty foods or is accompanied by fever, nausea, or vomiting.
Other symptoms may include:
If you experience sharp or persistent abdominal pain, seek medical care immediately. These could be signs of a serious gallbladder infection.
Gallbladder infection (cholecystitis) can be caused by several underlying conditions that block or disrupt the normal flow of bile:
These factors can lead to gallbladder inflammation, allowing bacteria to grow in the trapped bile and triggering symptoms of a gallbladder infection.
Gallbladder infections, or cholecystitis, can cause serious health risks if not treated promptly. Key complications include:
1. Infection Within the Gallbladder
When bile builds up inside the gallbladder, it can lead to bacterial gallbladder infection. This often causes intense abdominal pain, fever, and nausea.
2. Burst Gallbladder (Gallbladder Perforation)
If a gallbladder infection worsens, the gallbladder walls may weaken and rupture. This allows bile and infection to leak into the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis, an infection of the abdominal lining that can be life-threatening.
3. Gangrene of the Gallbladder
Severe gallbladder infection can reduce blood flow to the gallbladder, leading to tissue death (gangrene), which requires urgent surgical treatment.
4. Risk of Gallbladder Cancer
Repeated or chronic gallbladder infections may increase the risk of gallbladder cancer over time. Though rare, this is a serious concern for individuals with long-standing gallbladder issues.
At our clinic, we offer comprehensive diagnostic services to identify gallbladder conditions and provide timely treatment. Here’s how we diagnose gallbladder infections:
Our doctor starts with a thorough consultation, discussing your medical history and current symptoms. A physical examination may be conducted to check for tenderness in the abdomen, particularly in the upper right side.
Blood tests are an essential part of the diagnostic process at our clinic. They can reveal signs of infection or inflammation, such as elevated white blood cell counts or abnormal liver enzyme levels, which are often associated with gallbladder infections.
To confirm the diagnosis, we use imaging tools designed to evaluate gallbladder health:
Gallbladder infections, or cholecystitis, require prompt medical attention to prevent serious complications. The most common gallbladder infection treatment options offered in our clinic includes:
1. Medication Management
For mild gallbladder infections, antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate bacteria and reduce inflammation. Pain relief medication may also be given to ease discomfort caused by gallbladder swelling. Early-stage infections can often be managed successfully with medication alone.
2. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Keyhole Surgery)
For many patients with acute gallbladder infection, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred treatment. This minimally invasive surgery removes the gallbladder through small incisions, resulting in less pain and faster recovery compared to traditional surgery.
3. Open Cholecystectomy
In severe cases of gallbladder infection, such as those with gangrene or large gallstones, an open cholecystectomy may be necessary. This procedure involves a larger incision and is usually recommended when laparoscopic surgery is not suitable due to complications.
Gallstones blocking the cystic duct means that these small, hardened deposits are temporarily or partially stopping the flow of bile out of the gallbladder. This blockage causes bile to build up inside the gallbladder, leading to inflammation and sometimes a gallbladder infection.
When this happens repeatedly, it can cause chronic cholecystitis—meaning you experience multiple episodes of inflammation and pain. These attacks tend to be less severe and shorter in duration compared to acute infections but still require medical attention.
At our clinic, a Gallbladder Surgeon such as Dr Kan Yuk Man will carefully evaluate your symptoms and review your medical history. Based on this, you may be advised to undergo further diagnostic tests to accurately identify the cause and severity of your condition.
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Here at KYM Surgery, we believe in providing holistic & comprehensive medical care for all patients.
Here at KYM Surgery, we believe in providing holistic & comprehensive medical care for all patients.
