Chronic cholecystitis and acalculous cholecystitis are common diseases involving the gallbladder.
Chronic Cholecystitis is characterized by swelling and irritation of the gallbladder that progresses over time.
Acalculous cholecystitis is diagnosed when there is an inflammatory disease of the gallbladder without clear pathology involving gallstones or a duct obstruction.
Both are severe illnesses that can lead to serious complications.
What Causes Chronic Cholecystitis?
Chronic cholecystitis is caused by repeated attacks of acute cholecystitis, which are in turn caused by gallstones.
>What that means is that the gallbladder is producing gallstones, which are tiny rocks consisting of cholesterol. These rocks thicken and attack the walls of the gallbladder, leading to inflammation (acute cholecystitis). The gallbladder begins to shrink because of these attacks. Over time, the gallbladder loses its ability to focus on its job, which is to store and release bile upon command.
This condition tends to occur more often in women as opposed to men. Most patients are over forty with birth control pills and pregnancy being common culprits.
What Chronic Cholecystitis Symptoms Should You Watch For?
Symptoms of chronic cholecystitis include sharp cramps on the right or upper side of your tummy, and steady pain lasting for at least a half-hour. Pain that spreads to your lower back or lower right shoulder blade can also occur in some people.
Another way you can determine if you have chronic cholecystitis is to watch your stool for clay coloring. You may also experience fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
Dr. Moein can perform tests to diagnose your gallstone condition before recommending surgical intervention.
Surgery for Chronic Cholecystectomy
Surgery is the most common treatment for long-term inflammation of the gallbladder. The surgery is low-risk and involves the removal of the gallbladder to prevent future diseases or conditions.
If you are too sick to have surgery, the gallstones can be dissolved with medicine taken orally. This method can take two years or longer to work, and the gallstones can return. Ideally, and if you can, you will take steps to restore your health to make surgery possible, which can offer permanent relief.
What is Acalculous Gallbladder Disease?
Otherwise referred to as acute acalculous cholecystitis, this condition causes inflammation of the gallbladder without evidence of gallstones. The severe illness can arise from other medical conditions, long-term illnesses, and trauma.
What are the Symptoms of Acalculous Gallbladder Disease?
Some of the main symptoms of acalculous cholecystitis include shortness of breath, abdominal pain, fever, chills, and fatigue.
What Causes Acalculous Gallbladder Disease?
This condition is common in patients with significant illnesses. Risk factors include trauma, such as severe burns or tissue injury, heart surgery, bacterial illness, and diabetes mellitus.
Surgery for Acalculous Gallbladder Disease
Surgery is often necessary when the condition has become chronic. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery will remove the ill organ, absolving you of pain while eliminating the chances of the problem recurring.
Ready to Discuss Surgery for Chronic Cholecystitis or Acalculous Cholecystitis?
When your gallbladder is bothering you, you may not know where to turn. When you develop pain and other symptoms, a diagnosis can bring you relief through recommended surgery. Schedule a consultation with world-class general surgeon Dr. Babak Moeinolmolki by calling Healthy Life Bariatrics throughout Los Angeles, Encino, and Glendale, California – (310)694-4486.