Symptoms and Risks of Cholecystitis

Main symptoms of cholecystitis include:

1. Right upper abdominal pain: Often presents as cramping or distending pain in the right upper quadrant, varying in intensity. The pain may suddenly occur after eating fatty foods and can last from several minutes to hours.

2. Gastrointestinal symptoms: Including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and aversion to greasy foods. Patients may experience stomach discomfort after eating, even vomiting stomach contents.

3. Fever: The inflammatory response may cause body temperature to rise, accompanied by chills.

4. Jaundice: When cholecystitis causes biliary obstruction, bilirubin cannot be excreted normally, leading to yellowing of the skin and sclera.

5. Positive Murphy's sign: During physical examination, when the doctor presses on the gallbladder area in the right upper quadrant, the patient abruptly halts inspiration due to pain, which is a typical sign of cholecystitis.

Complications of cholecystitis include:

1. Gallbladder gangrene and perforation: Severe inflammation may lead to ischemia, necrosis, and even perforation of the gallbladder wall, causing peritonitis and potentially resulting in severe consequences such as severe abdominal pain and septic shock.

2. Gallstones: Cholecystitis often causes changes in bile composition, leading to gallstone formation, which in turn can worsen cholecystitis, creating a cycle of mutual influence.

3. Cholangitis: Inflammation may spread to the bile ducts, causing bile duct inflammation with symptoms such as jaundice and high fever.

4. Spread of infection: If the inflammation cannot be effectively controlled, bacteria may enter the bloodstream, causing systemic infection.

5. Gallbladder atrophy: Long-term recurrent inflammatory stimulation may lead to gradual atrophy of the gallbladder, causing loss of normal function.

Cholecystitis should not be underestimated; once related symptoms appear, timely medical attention is essential.