Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir
The gallbladder is a key organ that holds bile, a yellow-green fluid made by the liver. Acute cholecystitis happens when the gallbladder gets inflamed. This is often because of gallstones blocking it, causing sharp pain in the upper abdomen.
What causes an inflamed gallbladder ? We explain the top 7 shocking causes of acute cholecystitis and what you need to know.
Cholecystitis makes the gallbladder swell and get irritated. If not treated, it can cause serious problems. Knowing the causes and signs is important for getting help quickly.
For top-notch care, trust Liv Hospital. Our team offers fast diagnosis and treatment for acute cholecystitis. We make sure you recover safely.
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that stores and concentrates bile. Bile is a fluid made by the liver. It’s located on the right side of the abdomen, just below the liver. It plays a key role in digestion.
The gallbladder’s anatomy is special. It’s designed to store and release bile efficiently. It has three main parts: the fundus, body, and neck.
The fundus is the rounded base. The body is the main storage area. The neck connects it to the cystic duct, allowing bile to flow in and out.
The gallbladder’s main job is to store bile from the liver. Bile helps break down fats into smaller pieces. This makes it easier for the body to absorb them.
When food reaches the small intestine, the gallbladder releases bile. This bile flows into the small intestine. This is key for fat digestion and absorption.
The gallbladder also concentrates bile. It removes excess water and electrolytes. This makes the bile more effective when it’s released. This process is essential for good digestion.
The term cholecystitis means inflammation of the gallbladder. It can be either acute or chronic. This condition can happen with or without gallstones, affecting the gallbladder’s function. It can lead to serious complications if not managed well.
Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. This small organ is under the liver and stores bile for digestion. The inflammation can be caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, infection, or other factors. Acute cholecystitis is sudden inflammation, while chronic cholecystitis is ongoing or recurring.
Acute cholecystitis has severe symptoms and is often linked to gallstones. It needs quick medical care to avoid serious issues like gangrene or perforation. Chronic cholecystitis has milder symptoms that come back over time. Knowing if it’s acute or chronic is key to the right treatment.
Both men and women can get cholecystitis, but women are more likely, mainly due to gallstones. The treatment plan changes based on whether gallstones are present or not. Calculous cholecystitis (with gallstones) is more common than acalculous cholecystitis (without gallstones).
Gallstones are the main cause of gallbladder inflammation, leading to a condition called calculous cholecystitis. About 95% of people with acute cholecystitis have gallstones blocking the tube from the gallbladder.
Gallstones are small, hard deposits in the gallbladder. They are often made of cholesterol or bilirubin. When these stones block the cystic duct, they can cause inflammation and infection.
The most common cause of cholecystitis is gallstones. This condition is known as calculous cholecystitis.
Several factors can lead to gallstone formation:
Acalculous cholecystitis happens without gallstones. It’s a severe and often life-threatening condition. It usually affects critically ill patients, often due to trauma, burns, or major surgery.
The exact cause of acalculous cholecystitis is not fully understood. But several factors are thought to contribute:
Understanding gallbladder inflammation causes is key to effective treatment. Whether from gallstones or other factors, quick diagnosis and treatment are vital to avoid complications.
Acute cholecystitis can be caused by many factors. These include who you are, your health, and your lifestyle. Knowing these can help prevent and treat the condition early.
Some groups are more at risk for acute cholecystitis. These include:
These factors often link with other health issues, raising the risk even more.
Some health conditions can make you more likely to get acute cholecystitis. These include:
| Medical Condition | Risk Level | Reason |
| Diabetes | High | Increased risk of gallstones and inflammation |
| Pregnancy | Moderate to High | Hormonal changes and increased cholesterol in bile |
| Rapid Weight Loss | High | Increased risk of gallstone formation |
Lifestyle choices also affect your risk of acute cholecystitis. This includes what you eat and how active you are.
Eating a lot of fat and not enough fiber can lead to gallstones. Being inactive can also lead to obesity, raising your risk.
By understanding and changing these risk factors, you can lower your chance of getting acute cholecystitis and gallbladder problems.
An inflamed gallbladder, or cholecystitis, shows clear symptoms that need quick attention. Knowing these signs is key to getting medical help fast and avoiding serious issues.
The pain from an inflamed gallbladder is sharp and severe. It usually hits the upper right or center of the abdomen. This pain can also spread to the right shoulder or back, making it stand out.
Pain Characteristics:
Other signs like fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice can also show up. These signs show how the body reacts to the inflammation.
Systemic symptoms to watch for:
| Symptom | Description |
| Pain | Severe, upper right abdomen, radiates to shoulder or back |
| Fever | Elevated body temperature |
| Nausea and Vomiting | Feeling queasy, vomiting |
| Jaundice | Yellowing of the skin and eyes |
Understanding acute cholecystitis is key to knowing its severity and risks. This condition involves a mix of factors that cause the gallbladder to become inflamed.
The inflammation starts when the cystic duct gets blocked, often by gallstones. This blockage raises the pressure inside the gallbladder, causing it to swell. The swelling can cut off blood flow to the gallbladder wall, leading to serious problems like gangrene or perforation if not treated quickly.
Elevated intral al pressure plays a big role in acute cholecystitis. It not only stretches the gallbladder but also stops it from working right. This leads to more inflammation and makes the condition worse.
The way acute cholecystitis gets worse depends on things like gallstones, how bad the blockage is, and the patient’s health. If not treated, it can cause serious problems like perforation, abscesses, and sepsis.
| Stage | Description | Potential Complications |
| Initial Inflammation | Obstruction of the cystic duct leading to inflammation | Gallbladder distension, impaired blood flow |
| Progression | Continued inflammation and ischemia | Gangrene, perforation, abscess formation |
| Severe Complications | Untreated or severe cases | Sepsis, bile peritonitis, systemic infection |
The table shows how acute cholecystitis can get worse and why quick medical help is vital to avoid serious issues.
If you’re feeling symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder, knowing when to get help is key. Acute cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, can get serious if not treated fast.
Some symptoms mean you need to go to the hospital right away. Look out for severe abdominal pain that won’t go away. If it’s with fever, nausea, or vomiting, it’s a big warning sign.
Also, if the pain is so bad you can’t sit or get comfortable, get someone to take you to the ER.
Other signs that mean you need to see a doctor fast include:
Telling an inflamed gallbladder from other belly issues can be hard. But, the pain’s location and how it feels can help figure it out.
Pain from an inflamed gallbladder usually hits the right upper belly and might spread to the right shoulder. This is different from appendicitis, where pain starts near the belly button and moves to the lower right.
If you’re having ongoing or really bad belly pain, see a doctor. They can tell you what’s wrong and how to fix it. Remember, severe belly pain is a sign to get medical help right away to avoid bigger problems.
Getting a correct diagnosis for cholecystitis is key. It involves a physical check-up, lab tests, and imaging studies.
A detailed physical check is the first step. The doctor looks for tenderness in the right upper abdomen. They might also check for guarding or rigidity.
The Murphy’s sign is a special test. The patient breathes deeply. If the gallbladder is inflamed, it hurts and they stop breathing involuntarily.
Labs are important for diagnosing cholecystitis. Tests include a complete blood count (CBC) and liver function tests. They check for infection or inflammation signs.
An elevated white blood cell count often shows an infection or inflammation.
Imaging studies confirm an inflamed gallbladder. Ultrasound is usually the first choice. It’s good at finding gallstones and inflammation.
Ultrasound can show signs of cholecystitis like a swollen gallbladder and thick walls. Sometimes, a CT scan is used to see how bad the disease is or if there are complications.
Diagnosing cholecystitis involves physical checks, lab tests, and imaging. A quick and accurate diagnosis is vital. It helps guide treatment and prevent complications.
Not treating cholecystitis can lead to serious problems. These include tissue damage, bile leakage, and life-threatening conditions. It’s key to know these risks to see why quick medical help is vital.
Gallbladder perforation is a severe issue from untreated cholecystitis. It happens when inflammation weakens the gallbladder wall, causing it to burst. This can spill bile into the belly, leading to peritonitis, an inflammation of the belly lining.
An abscess can form in the gallbladder due to infection. An abscess is a pocket of pus. If it bursts, it can spread infection to other parts of the body.
Bile peritonitis happens when bile leaks into the belly, often from a perforated gallbladder. This can cause a severe inflammatory response, leading to sepsis. Prompt surgical intervention is often needed to treat it effectively.
The worst complication of untreated cholecystitis is sepsis or systemic infection. When the infection spreads to the blood, it can cause a body-wide inflammatory response. Sepsis is a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment, usually with antibiotics and hospital care.
In summary, untreated cholecystitis can lead to severe and life-threatening complications. Knowing these risks highlights the need for quick medical help if symptoms don’t improve or get worse. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve outcomes for those with cholecystitis.
Treating acute cholecystitis involves several steps. These range from initial medical care to surgery. The choice of treatment depends on how severe the condition is and the patient’s health.
Starting with medical care is key to stabilize the patient. This step prepares them for surgery if needed. It includes:
For cases without gallstones but with inflammation, treatment aims at the root cause. This could be infection or poor blood flow. Along with standard care, addressing these issues is vital.
Surgery, like removing the gallbladder, is often the best treatment for acute cholecystitis. This is true, mainly when gallstones are involved. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is usually the first choice for those who can handle it. It offers:
For high-risk patients, draining the gallbladder through the skin might be an option. This is called percutaneous cholecystostomy. It’s done under imaging to clear the gallbladder.
Choosing between medical care and surgery depends on the patient’s health and how severe the cholecystitis is. Complications also play a role in this decision.
Many people live without a gallbladder after surgery for acute cholecystitis. The gallbladder’s role in digestion is often not well understood. Its removal can raise questions about life after surgery and digestive health.
After surgery, the body adjusts to the lack of a gallbladder. Bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine. This can cause digestive issues like diarrhea or fatty stools.
Most patients can go home soon after surgery. Care includes managing pain and adjusting diet to ease digestive changes. Places like Liv Hospital focus on high-quality care for recovery.
After surgery, changing your diet is key. A low-fat diet helps ease digestion. Eating smaller meals more often can also help. Some foods may need to be avoided to prevent digestive problems.
The outlook for life without a gallbladder is usually good. Most people adapt well and stay healthy with proper care and lifestyle changes. Following post-surgical advice and making dietary changes is important to avoid complications.
In summary, while life without a gallbladder requires adjustments, many manage well after surgery. Understanding the changes and making smart lifestyle choices can lead to a healthy life post-surgery.
It’s important to know why and how a gallbladder gets inflamed. This knowledge helps doctors treat it quickly. Quick action can prevent serious problems.
Acute cholecystitis is when the gallbladder gets inflamed. It usually happens when a gallstone blocks the cystic duct. This blockage can lead to infection and serious issues if not treated.
Getting treatment fast is key. Doctors might use antibiotics or surgery to help. This approach is vital for managing the condition and avoiding long-term harm.
Preventing gallbladder problems is also important. Eating right and managing risk factors can help. These steps can lower the chance of an inflamed gallbladder.
Recognizing symptoms early and getting medical help quickly is vital. This can greatly improve health outcomes. It helps avoid serious complications and leads to better health.
An inflamed gallbladder, or cholecystitis, often happens when gallstones block the cystic duct. This causes inflammation. Sometimes, it can happen without gallstones, known as acalculous cholecystitis.
Acute cholecystitis is sudden and severe inflammation. Chronic cholecystitis is ongoing inflammation that keeps coming back.
Yes, it’s possible for a gallbladder to be inflamed without gallstones. This is called acalculous cholecystitis. It’s a big part of cases, mostly in very sick patients.
Symptoms include severe pain in the right upper abdomen, fever, nausea, and vomiting. The pain can be constant and might spread to the right shoulder or back.
Doctors use a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging like ultrasound or CT scans to diagnose it.
Untreated cholecystitis can cause serious problems. These include gallbladder perforation, abscesses, bile peritonitis, and sepsis.
First, doctors treat it with antibiotics and supportive care. Then, they usually do a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder.
Yes, living without a gallbladder is possible. After surgery, you might need to change your diet. But most people can live normally.
Being female, over 40, having gallstones, diabetes, and obesity are risk factors. Lifestyle choices also play a role.
Get medical help right away for severe pain, fever, jaundice, or if symptoms get worse.
The gallbladder stores bile from the liver. It releases bile into the small intestine to help digest fats.
Untreated cholecystitis can cause severe problems. This includes gallbladder perforation, infection, and serious life-threatening conditions.