Characteristics of vomit in acute cholecystitis

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on June 22, 2025
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For patients with acute cholecystitis, nausea and vomiting are common symptoms as it is a type of inflammatory irritation. During such times, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms, with the vomit primarily consisting of stomach contents. In the occurrence of these symptoms, it is advisable to actively use gastroprotective drugs for symptomatic treatment, and antibiotics should also be used to treat the infection. Only when the inflammation is controlled can the condition be alleviated. For acute cholecystitis caused by gallstones, early surgical treatment should be undertaken, because cure can only be achieved by surgically removing the gallbladder. Conservative treatment may relieve symptoms, but it is prone to recurrent attacks. Therefore, for acute cholecystitis caused by gallstones, it is important to complete relevant examinations promptly, rule out contraindications for surgery, and perform the surgical removal as soon as possible.

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Written by Li Ying
Gastroenterology
57sec home-news-image

How is cholelithiasis cholecystitis treated?

The treatment of cholecystitis with gallstones is divided into two main categories. The first category refers to the treatment of asymptomatic gallstone cholecystitis, as well as symptomatic treatment. For asymptomatic cases, treatment can include dietary management for chronic, symptom-free cholecystitis, including those with gallstones. In symptomatic cases, the treatment focuses on improving gallbladder function and symptomatic relief. Dietary treatment mainly suggests regular meals without overeating, promoting a regular eating pattern. The second method is to use medication to improve gallbladder function, and preventive gallbladder removal can also be considered. For symptomatic cases, the primary goal is to control symptoms and reduce inflammation, mainly through medication. If medical treatment is not effective, surgical options may be considered.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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How to diagnose cholecystitis?

Firstly, we can use physical examination to check. Acute cholecystitis will show tenderness in the upper right abdomen. If pressing below the right ribs causes significant pain, it is likely to be acute cholecystitis. Secondly, instrument examination can be utilized, with the most common and cost-effective being an ultrasound examination. When examining cholecystitis, fasting is required; no food should be consumed for at least eight hours. Additionally, modern CT scans or MRI can be used to help determine whether there is inflammation in the gallbladder. Blood tests can also be conducted; an increase in white blood cells in a routine blood test can indicate the presence of inflammation.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can you drink alcohol with acute cholecystitis?

Acute cholecystitis, clinically divided into calculous cholecystitis and acalculous cholecystitis, is closely related to diet regardless of the type. Therefore, patients with acute cholecystitis should not consume alcohol, as drinking can lead to another attack of acute cholecystitis. Most episodes of acute cholecystitis are directly related to diet and excessive drinking, so not only during an acute attack but also in everyday life, it is important to avoid greasy, fried foods, spicy and irritating foods, and excessive alcohol consumption, in order to prevent stimulating the swelling of the gallbladder mucosa and triggering an attack of acute cholecystitis.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Does cholecystitis hurt?

Whether cholecystitis is painful depends on the nature of the inflammation. If it is acute cholecystitis, it often causes severe pain in the gallbladder area, which is persistent and accompanied by chills, fever, poor spirit, loss of appetite, and even jaundice. If it is chronic cholecystitis, there may not be obvious symptoms of gallbladder pain. However, it can lead to an acute attack of chronic cholecystitis under the conditions of chills, high-fat diet, or other causes, which then causes pain in the gallbladder area.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of cholelithiasis cholecystitis?

Cholecystitis due to gallstones is relatively common in clinical practice, with abdominal pain being a frequent reason for seeking medical attention. The pain usually manifests in the upper abdomen or right side, occurring in intermittent or continuous episodes. Typically, the nature of the pain is described as distension, colic, or dull pain. Patients may also experience radiating pain in the lower back, typically extending to the right side of the abdomen. Additionally, a small number of patients may experience nausea, vomiting, and even fever alongside abdominal pain. Fevers are usually mild to moderate, with body temperatures around 38°C (100.4°F). Nausea and vomiting occur as a digestive response following gallbladder contraction and subsequent inflammatory stimulation, with vomitus generally consisting of gastric contents and bile, but not blood. Therefore, if gallstone-induced cholecystitis is suspected, it is recommended for patients to undergo active endoscopic removal, typically via laparoscopic surgery. Of course, older patients might be treated conservatively with medications.