Gallbladder Problems Causing Cholecystitis
There seems to be a hereditary proclivity towards getting gallstones and thereby Cholecystitis.
Situated in the upper right abdomen, the gallbladder lies beneath the liver and is connected to it by the hepatic duct. It is a small pouch-like organ that stores and concentrates the bile produced in the liver. Bile, which passes from the liver through bile ducts into the main bile duct and then into the gut, is necessary for the proper digestion of food. Every time we eat, the cells in the small intestine produce a hormone called Cholecystokinin, which is carried to the gallbladder, causing it to contract and release the stored bile into the common bile duct.
Gallstones
Bile is normally in a fluid state, but if it contains high levels of cholesterol, the cholesterol can crystallize and form lumps or stones. No one knows exactly why the cholesterol level in the bile rises to this extent, but cholesterol is one of the major causes of gallstones. Gallstones can also be formed by deposits of calcium and bile pigments, or if the bile contains low levels of bile acids and bile lecithin, both known to act as bile emulsifiers. There can be many gallstones or just one large one.
There seems to be a hereditary proclivity towards getting gallstones, so if you have a family history of gallbladder problems, you are likely to encounter some yourself. Being overweight, eating too much fatty food, and drinking too much alcohol can cause this ailment too. Women, especially those who have borne many children and those who are over 40, also show a higher rick of gallstones.
Cholecystitis
Gallstones are a very common occurrence, but many people don't realize they have gallstones as the gallstones usually stay in the gallbladder or pass out without causing any problems. Sometimes though a gallstone may get stuck in the cystic duct while passing out of the gallbladder and this obstruction gives rise to an epigastric pain called 'biliary colic'. If the gallstone falls back into the gallbladder or passes out, then the pain subsides. Otherwise you are likely to suffer more abdominal pain, a bloated feeling, bouts of vomiting, nausea and fever. The gallstone obstruction causes bile to build up and distend the gallbladder, leading to inflammation of the gallbladder and possible infection. This infection is called Cholecystitis.
Treatment
Usually, you will undergo some initial tests and scans to determine if you indeed have Cholecystitis. If you have, you will be admitted into hospital, given clear liquids to drink, not given any food in order to rest the gallbladder, and given antibiotics, fluids and painkillers directly into a vein through a drip. This treatment may continue for a week or longer until the symptoms of gallbladder infection go down. The doctors may then decide to release you or decide to go for an operation to remove the gallbladder.
There are two ways of removing the gallbladder surgically, one by the traditional method of making a large cut on the abdomen which is called 'Cholecystectomy' and the other by 'Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy or 'Keyhole Surgery', where the surgery is done through small cuts and with the aid of a minute telescope that is inserted into the abdomen.
The gallbladder is not absolutely essential for digestion, so its removal won't prevent you from leading a normal life and enjoying a normal diet. In many cases though, people who have had their gallbladder removed experience indigestion or bloating after meals, especially if they have been eating fatty foods. They also tend to suffer mild diarrhea from time to time.
In any event, non-surgical options are always preferable to surgical ones, and you should explore all other possibilities before considering gallbladder surgery. Although many doctors seem to recommend gallbladder surgery to prevent a recurrence of gallstones, it is possible to treat Cholecystitis non-surgically by following a proper diet. If you're prone to gallstones, you should cut down on fatty foods, avoid foods that give you a heartburn, drink plenty of clear liquids, eschew alcohol, eat leafy vegetables and fruit, especially apples (apples contain Pectin, which researcher have found to be excellent for countering gallstones), and maintain a healthy weight.
Gallstones
Bile is normally in a fluid state, but if it contains high levels of cholesterol, the cholesterol can crystallize and form lumps or stones. No one knows exactly why the cholesterol level in the bile rises to this extent, but cholesterol is one of the major causes of gallstones. Gallstones can also be formed by deposits of calcium and bile pigments, or if the bile contains low levels of bile acids and bile lecithin, both known to act as bile emulsifiers. There can be many gallstones or just one large one.
There seems to be a hereditary proclivity towards getting gallstones, so if you have a family history of gallbladder problems, you are likely to encounter some yourself. Being overweight, eating too much fatty food, and drinking too much alcohol can cause this ailment too. Women, especially those who have borne many children and those who are over 40, also show a higher rick of gallstones.
Cholecystitis
Gallstones are a very common occurrence, but many people don't realize they have gallstones as the gallstones usually stay in the gallbladder or pass out without causing any problems. Sometimes though a gallstone may get stuck in the cystic duct while passing out of the gallbladder and this obstruction gives rise to an epigastric pain called 'biliary colic'. If the gallstone falls back into the gallbladder or passes out, then the pain subsides. Otherwise you are likely to suffer more abdominal pain, a bloated feeling, bouts of vomiting, nausea and fever. The gallstone obstruction causes bile to build up and distend the gallbladder, leading to inflammation of the gallbladder and possible infection. This infection is called Cholecystitis.
Treatment
Usually, you will undergo some initial tests and scans to determine if you indeed have Cholecystitis. If you have, you will be admitted into hospital, given clear liquids to drink, not given any food in order to rest the gallbladder, and given antibiotics, fluids and painkillers directly into a vein through a drip. This treatment may continue for a week or longer until the symptoms of gallbladder infection go down. The doctors may then decide to release you or decide to go for an operation to remove the gallbladder.
There are two ways of removing the gallbladder surgically, one by the traditional method of making a large cut on the abdomen which is called 'Cholecystectomy' and the other by 'Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy or 'Keyhole Surgery', where the surgery is done through small cuts and with the aid of a minute telescope that is inserted into the abdomen.
The gallbladder is not absolutely essential for digestion, so its removal won't prevent you from leading a normal life and enjoying a normal diet. In many cases though, people who have had their gallbladder removed experience indigestion or bloating after meals, especially if they have been eating fatty foods. They also tend to suffer mild diarrhea from time to time.
In any event, non-surgical options are always preferable to surgical ones, and you should explore all other possibilities before considering gallbladder surgery. Although many doctors seem to recommend gallbladder surgery to prevent a recurrence of gallstones, it is possible to treat Cholecystitis non-surgically by following a proper diet. If you're prone to gallstones, you should cut down on fatty foods, avoid foods that give you a heartburn, drink plenty of clear liquids, eschew alcohol, eat leafy vegetables and fruit, especially apples (apples contain Pectin, which researcher have found to be excellent for countering gallstones), and maintain a healthy weight.
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