Does acute cholecystitis fear cold?

Written by Liu Wu Cai

Hepatobiliary Surgery

Updated on November 05, 2024

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Patients with acute cholecystitis may exhibit chills. Due to the acute inflammation of the gallbladder in patients with acute cholecystitis, symptoms such as chills, high fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite which are characteristic of systemic infections may occur. Additionally, patients may experience significant pain in the upper right abdomen, which tends to worsen after eating. In cases of acute cholecystitis, it is crucial to use antibiotics for anti-infection treatment as soon as possible. Only when the inflammation is controlled can the condition be alleviated. In cases where gallstones cause cholecystitis, surgical treatment should be employed promptly. A complete cure can only be achieved by surgically removing the gallbladder. Therefore, it is essential to take acute cholecystitis seriously and seek medical attention promptly to actively manage the condition and significantly improve the patient's prognosis.

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Written by Xie Zheng Yuan

Gastroenterology

50sec

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Symptoms of acute cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis is a relatively common digestive system disease in clinical practice, often triggered by the presence of gallstones, leading to acute inflammation of the gallbladder. When an acute cholecystitis attack occurs, it typically presents as pain in the upper right abdomen, accompanied by fever, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, similar to symptoms of gastric discomfort. Additionally, if a gallstone falls and lodges in the cystic duct, or even in the common bile duct, it can cause jaundice, as indicated by the yellowing of the skin and sclera. During a physical examination, it might be possible to detect tenderness in the upper right abdomen, or even rebound tenderness. Another possible positive sign could be Murphy's sign, which are all common manifestations of acute cholecystitis.

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Written by Huang Ya Juan

Gastroenterology

3min 8sec

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Symptoms and Treatment of Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is divided into acute cholecystitis and chronic cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis typically presents very typical and obvious clinical symptoms, primarily manifesting as acute abdominal pain. Acute cholecystitis often occurs after eating greasy food, mainly presenting as severe colicky pain in the upper right abdomen, which is episodic and worsens. The pain may radiate to the right shoulder or back, followed by nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fever. Some severe cases may also present with jaundice and symptoms of systemic infection and toxicity. Acute simple cholecystitis is often treated non-surgically, and most cases can be cured. If the patient has a history of multiple attacks or the presence of stones, elective cholecystectomy is usually performed later. For suppurative or gangrenous cholecystitis, surgery should be performed promptly after appropriate preparation to remove the diseased gallbladder, typically within three days of onset. If the patient's condition is critical at the time of surgery, or if there is severe local infection and the anatomy is unclear, the doctor will not forcibly remove the gallbladder to avoid major bleeding and damage. Instead, a cholecystostomy may be performed first, followed by cholecystectomy after three months. Chronic cholecystitis, besides occasional upper abdominal discomfort and indigestion, usually shows no prominent symptoms, and most patients only learn about their condition through ultrasound examination. However, for recurrent acute attacks or symptomatic chronic cholecystitis, especially those with stones larger than 1 cm or multiple stones, cholecystectomy should be performed. Elderly or frail individuals with other serious illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease, may receive medical treatment, including general digestive aids and antispasmodic medications. Bile preparations have choleretic effects, can increase the secretion of bile, promote the digestion and absorption of fats, and facilitate the excretion from the gallbladder, which can alleviate symptoms and stabilize the condition. Considering that acute attacks of chronic cholecystitis in elderly people progress rapidly and that emergency surgery has a much higher mortality rate than elective surgery, it is advisable to perform surgery during a remission period. Whether treated with medication or surgery, it is important to follow medical advice.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai

Hepatobiliary Surgery

1min

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What are the serious consequences of cholecystitis?

The severe consequences of cholecystitis include gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder, leading to obvious signs of peritonitis throughout the abdomen, with noticeable tenderness and rebound pain. For patients with recurrent cholecystitis, it is advisable to use antibiotics for anti-infection treatment as soon as possible, as the condition can only be alleviated after the inflammation is under control. During recurrent episodes, surgical treatment should also be considered promptly. Removal of the gallbladder through surgery is the only way to achieve a radical cure. In most cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is chosen because it has the advantages of smaller incisions, less damage, and faster recovery, and is therefore often the preferred option in clinical settings. Patients who have undergone surgery should also avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammation and better facilitate recovery.

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Written by Li Ying

Gastroenterology

52sec

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Is surgery necessary for cholecystitis with gallstones?

Gallstone cholecystitis primarily has several treatment methods, targeted towards symptomatic and asymptomatic treatments. These include medical treatment and surgical treatment. Not all cases of cholecystitis require surgery. For some asymptomatic gallbladder stones, treatments can be managed through dietary therapy, symptomatic treatment, and preventive treatment for those at high risk, including dietary adjustments or treatments that promote bile flow. Preventive gallbladder removal may be considered for those at high risk of gallbladder cancer. For symptomatic cases, the main goal is to control symptoms and primarily reduce inflammation. For chronic cholecystitis and gallstones, if there is no significant improvement with medical treatment, then surgical treatment may be considered.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun

Endocrinology

1min 2sec

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How to Diagnose Cholecystitis

The definitive diagnosis of cholecystitis mainly involves the following aspects: First, clinical manifestations are crucial. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and loss of appetite. Regarding physical examination, there is typically pain in the lower right abdomen and mid-lower right abdomen, with tenderness upon palpation. Furthermore, the onset of cholecystitis is characterized by postprandial pain, particularly after consuming fatty foods or feeling overly full. If these symptoms are present, further examination such as gallbladder ultrasound can be conducted to check for thickening of the gallbladder wall. Additionally, blood tests for inflammatory markers like complete blood count and CRP (C-reactive protein) can be performed. The diagnosis of cholecystitis can be confirmed by combining these symptoms and test results.