What are the symptoms of cholecystitis?

The symptoms of cholecystitis include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, fever, jaundice, and abdominal distension.

1. Abdominal pain: The most common symptom of cholecystitis is abdominal pain, typically located in the upper right quadrant. The pain may present as intermittent colicky pain or persistent dull aching. It may radiate to the right shoulder or scapular region and often worsens after consuming fatty foods.

2. Gastrointestinal symptoms: Patients with cholecystitis often experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may result from gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by inflammation of the gallbladder.

3. Fever: Patients may develop fever when cholecystitis is severe. Fever is usually caused by bacterial infection, with body temperature commonly around 38°C. A few patients may experience high fever accompanied by chills.

4. Jaundice: Patients may develop jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and sclera, and darkened urine. Jaundice occurs when inflammation spreads to the bile duct, causing obstruction of bile excretion and abnormal bilirubin metabolism.

5. Abdominal distension: Cholecystitis may impair the digestive function of the gallbladder, prolonging the retention time of food in the gastrointestinal tract and causing a feeling of abdominal fullness. Patients may particularly experience discomfort and bloating in the upper abdomen after consuming fatty foods.

In daily life, maintaining healthy dietary habits and lifestyle, avoiding overeating, and reducing intake of fatty foods can help prevent the occurrence of cholecystitis.