What is Cholecystitis (Gallbladder Inflammation)?

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Cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, occurs when a gallstone blocks bile (digestive juice) from leaving the organ. Typically, bile gets drained out of your gallbladder and into your small intestine. If this bile is blocked, it then gets built up in your gallbladder. This in turn causes inflammation and possibly, infection.

The main symptom is a sudden, sharp pain in your abdomen, which can spread from the upper right-hand side of your tummy up towards your right shoulder. Pain thatremains severe is considered a medical emergency, and you should see a doctor right away. This is known as acute cholecystitis.

Chronic cholecystitis means that you’ve had multiple attacks of inflammation and pain, which are typically less severe and doesn’t last as long. These are caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct occasionally.

Depending on your symptoms, a Gallbladder Surgeon like Dr Kan Yuk Man will examine you and look at your past and present health records. You may then be asked to go for further screening and tests to diagnose your condition accurately.

A treatment plan will then be presented to you, ranging from medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery.

If you face any symptoms similar to that of Cholecystitis, we highly recommend for you to seek a specialist’s opinion from a Gallbladder Surgeon like Dr Kan Yuk Man immediately.