Gall bladder inflammation and gallstone disease | Upper abdominal pain right

Gall bladder inflammation and gallstone disease

The gallbladder with its bile ducts is located in the area of the right upper abdomen.Very often, right-sided upper abdominal pain is caused by a gallstone, which either lies in the gallbladder or has come loose and is floating through the ducts. If a gallstone has become detached and floats through the narrow bile ducts, it can get stuck in a narrow spot, which can lead to very severe and colicky pain. Furthermore, inflammation of the gall bladder, whether chronic or acute, can lead to right-sided pain in the upper abdomen.

Inflammation of the gallbladder sometimes occurs as a result of gallstones lying in the gall bladder. Abdominal pain in the area of the right upper abdomen, often the pain is colicky (alternating and increasing) Risk factors for the development of gallstones: female sex, light skin color, overweight, older than 40 years, of fertile age, already own children Diagnosis by ultrasound examination of the abdomen, certain laboratory parameters and possibly securing by an ERCP (= visualization of the bile ducts in the context of a gastrointestinal endoscopy) Therapy: In the acute phase, painkillers and antibiotics should be given. In the further course, surgical removal of the gall bladder (cholecystectomy) is recommended.

• Inflammation of the gallbladder, usually due to accumulation of bile in the gallbladder as a result of a gallstone
• Abdominal pain in the area of the right upper abdomen, often the pain is colicky (alternating alternating and increasing)
• Risk factors for the development of gallstones: female sex, light skin color, overweight, older than 40 years, of childbearing age, children already of their own
• Diagnosis by ultrasound examination of the abdomen, certain laboratory parameters and possibly secured by an ERCP (= visualization of the bile ducts within the scope of a gastrointestinal endoscopy)
• Therapy: In the acute phase painkillers and antibiotics should be given. In the further course, surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is recommended.
• Complications: Pus accumulation in the gallbladder, tearing of the gallbladder with emptying of the bile into the abdominal cavity

In order to clarify the cause of a gall bladder inflammation, patient interviews and physical examination are very important. For example, the doctor will ask the patient about eating and stool habits, the severity of the symptoms and first occurrence as well as known gallstones.

If the upper abdominal pain occurs mainly after eating fatty foods, this already indicates a gall bladder or gallstone problem. This is followed by a physical examination, in which the abdomen of the patient lying down is first listened to in order to assess the intestinal sounds and then palpated in order to identify pain triggering points. The so-called Murphy test, in which the patient is asked to first exhale completely and then take a deep breath, is also suitable for diagnosing a gall bladder inflammation.

During this inhalation maneuver, the examiner presses on the area under the right costal arch. If the patient experiences severe pain at this point during inhalation, this indicates an inflammation of the gall bladder. An ultrasound examination is then used to make a conclusive diagnosis.

Any gallstones that may be present are white, an inflamed gallbladder may also be seen with a three-layer structure of the gallbladder wall. If there are any doubts during the ultrasound examination and physical examination, a blood test can also reveal an inflammation in the area of the gall bladder. Here, inflammation values such as CRP or leukocytes would be significantly elevated.

Gallstones, which only sometimes cause discomfort, cannot be treated. However, it should be noted that symptomatic gallstones in the gallbladder can at some point lead to painful colic. An inflammation of the gallbladder or pain symptoms permanently triggered by gallstones must be treated in any case. In the past, people tried to dissolve the stones with medication, but today the treatment of choice is gall bladder removal. The operation is performed endoscopically, i.e. using the gentle keyhole technique.