Synonyms in a broader sense
Cholecystitis, bile, gallbladder, gallstones, cholelithiasis, cholangitis, pancreatitisAn inflammation of the gallbladder is an inflammation of the gall bladder. Gallstones are the most common cause of this disease. When gallstones start moving, they often get stuck in narrow places and lead to symptoms such as pain, congestion and inflammation.
A gallstone disease is called cholelithiasis. If the stones are located in the gallbladder, this is called cholecystolithiasis; if they are located in the common bile duct, this is called choledocholithiasis. The therapy of choice for inflammation of the gallbladder is minimally invasive surgical removal of the gall bladder.
In industrialized countries, gallstones are considered to be a consequence of prosperity with malnutrition, overweight, lack of exercise and also stress. However, the varying frequency of gallstones in different ethnic groups and a high incidence in families speaks in favor of genetic involvement. In addition, there are several favorable risk factors. About the 6 F’s these are easy to remember:
- Fat (overweight)
- Females (Women)
- Fertile (fertility)
- Forty (> 40. year of age)
- Fair (light skin py) and
- Family (family gall bladder infections).
Classification of gall bladder inflammation
- Acute
- Chronic
- Acalcuous (stoneless)
The causes of an acute inflammation of the gall bladder can be different. However, in 95% of cases it is a gallstone disease (cholecystolithiasis). If the gallbladder duct (ductus cysticus) is obstructed by gallstones, the mucosa of the duct is injured and an inflammatory reaction occurs.
In half of the cases, pathogens such as E. coli, enterococci, salmonella, klebsillia, clostridia and others cause a secondary bacterial infection. As already mentioned under the causes, gallstones are the most common cause of a gall bladder inflammation Gallstones. Another form of inflammation of the gall bladder is called stoneless (acalculous) cholecystitis.
Approximately 5-10% occur without gallstones being involved. Gall bladder inflammation without stones is known as acalculous cholecystitis. They are caused by triggers of a “stress gall bladder”.
These include major surgical operations (especially abdominal operations), accidents with multiple injuries (polytrauma), severe burns, systemic infections (sepsis) or a disturbed blood supply due to vascular diseases (e.g. polyarteritis nodosa, an autoimmune disease). This leads to a functional obstruction of the bile duct, resulting in bile stasis and thickening. In most cases, chronic inflammation results from recurrent, recurrent acute inflammation of the gall bladder.
Very rarely an inflammation of the gall bladder is caused by toxic substances or medication or by eating too large meals. Pain, nausea, vomiting: An acute inflammation of the gallbladder initially manifests itself in severe permanent pain in the right upper abdomen, which often radiates into the shoulder. The pain is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Read more about the topic: Pain in the gallbladder, upper abdomen pain or flank pain on the right Fever: Persistent fever for 24 hours and an aversion to certain foods are further symptoms of an inflammation of the gallbladder. People often avoid foods that are rather fatty and/or would promote bile production (e.g. coffee). Yellowing: It is not uncommon for people with a gall bladder infection to show yellowing of the skin (posthepatic jaundice).
Since it is not possible for the bile to drain off, certain substances that are normally excreted with the bile through the intestines can no longer be drained off. Bilirubin, a breakdown product of the haemoglobin, a blood pigment and oxygen transporter found in the red blood cells (erythrocytes), can no longer be properly disposed of from the blood via the liver and bile into the intestine. Initially, only elevated blood values (hyperbilirubinemia) are seen.
If a critical threshold of concentration is exceeded, the bilirubin leaks from the blood vessels and deposits in the tissue, which appears as a yellow coloration on the body surface or in the sclera of the eyes. The urine is also brownish in color. The stool, on the other hand, is discolored because it is not excreted through the intestines.
Fatty stools (steatorrhea) also occur.Fatty stools occur when, due to a lack of emulsification of dietary fats by the bile secretion, these fats cannot be absorbed in the small intestine and must therefore be excreted through the intestine. Chronic inflammation of the gall bladder: In contrast, chronic inflammation of the gallbladder causes rather unspecific complaints such as malaise or digestive disorders such as flatulence and nausea. Repeated biliary colic, when gallstones migrate, is not uncommon.
Diarrhoea – a symptom of inflammation of the gallbladder? : Diarrhoea is not a typical symptom of inflammation of the gall bladder. However, some people with diarrhoea may develop diarrhoea as their general condition worsens.
Very light and soft bowel movements can be caused by too little bile. In contrast, the urine is often darker than usual. In any case, a doctor should be consulted for further clarification. Shortly after the removal of the gallbladder, some patients suffer from diarrhoea after eating fatty or spicy foods, as there is no longer a storage reservoir for the bile.
