How is cholecystitis caused?
Sep 03, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Cholecystitis refers to the process of acute or chronic inflammatory response occurring in the gallbladder caused by gallstones or other factors. Cholecystitis may be triggered by overeating, parasitic infection, gallstones, hemobilia (blood accumulation in the gallbladder), bile stasis, and other causes. Patients should strictly control fat intake in daily life, avoid fried and greasy foods such as fried chicken and cream, and refrain from strenuous exercise and prolonged standing.
Generally, cholecystitis refers to the process of acute or chronic inflammatory reactions occurring in the gallbladder due to gallstones or other causes. Cholecystitis may be triggered by overeating, parasitic infections, gallstones, hemobilia (blood accumulation in the gallbladder), bile stasis, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Overeating
Overeating causes the gallbladder to rapidly empty and refill within a short period, increasing its workload. Long-term overeating may impair gallbladder function and trigger cholecystitis.
2. Parasitic Infection
Parasitic infections mainly occur through various routes such as direct contact or fecal-oral transmission. After parasites infect the gallbladder, they can induce an inflammatory response, leading to significant abdominal pain—especially colicky pain in the right upper quadrant—often accompanied by radiating pain. This may lead to cholecystitis and could also present with symptoms such as fever and chills. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as albendazole tablets, mebendazole tablets, or praziquantel tablets for treatment.
3. Gallstones
Gallstones are caused by irregular eating habits, imbalance in bile composition, and other factors. When gallstones move within or become impacted in the gallbladder, they may irritate or damage the gallbladder wall, triggering cholecystitis, often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Under guidance from a qualified physician, medications such as Danshu Capsules, ursodeoxycholic acid capsules, or Xiaoyan Lidan Tablets may be used for treatment.
4. Hemobilia (Blood Accumulation in the Gallbladder)
Hemobilia is caused by trauma or other pathological factors damaging the gallbladder. When the gallbladder is injured, its normal physiological functions may be impaired, potentially preventing bile from being properly excreted and thus leading to cholecystitis. Symptoms may include abdominal pain and hematemesis (vomiting blood). Under professional medical advice, medications such as tranexamic acid tablets, vitamin K1 tablets, or Yunnan Baiyao capsules may be used for treatment.
5. Bile Stasis
Bile stasis is a pathophysiological process caused by impaired bile secretion or excretion. When permeability of the bile capillaries increases, water content in bile decreases and the osmotic gradient is lost, which may lead to cholecystitis. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and general fatigue. Medications such as phenobarbital tablets, ademetionine enteric-coated tablets (adenosylmethionine disulfonate), and vitamin E softgels should be used under medical supervision.
In daily life, fat intake should be strictly controlled. Fried and greasy foods—such as fried chicken, fatty meats, and cream—should be avoided. Intense physical activity and prolonged standing should also be avoided.
