What is it?
Cholecystitis is a condition that occurs when the gallbladder becomes inflamed. Cholecystitis most often occurs when gallstones block the tube leading out of the gallbladder. This results in a build-up of bile, which causes inflammation. It can also be caused by other problems with the bile duct, a tumour, problems with blood supply to the gallbladder, and other infections.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of cholecystitis often appear after you’ve eaten a large, fatty meal. They include:
- An intense pain in the middle or right side of your upper abdomen, or between your shoulders.
- Indigestion, especially after fatty food.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Fever.
Don’t ignore the pain because cholecystitis can lead to complications. An infection in your abdomen can be very serious.