Examination and diagnosis
The tests and procedures used to diagnose cholecystitis are.
1. Blood tests. A doctor may order blood tests to analyze for infection or other indications of gallbladder problems.
2. Gallbladder imaging. An imaging test, such as an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan, can produce images of the gallbladder that can indicate cholecystitis.
3. a scan that can show the activity of bile in the body. A hepatic iminoacetoacetic acid (HIDA) scan traces the production of bile and its flow from the liver to the small intestine and can show the site of obstruction; the HIDA scan is performed by injecting a radioactive dye into the body that binds to the cells that produce bile so that it can be observed as it flows.
Treatment and medication
Cholecystitis usually requires hospitalization for observation until the inflammation of the gallbladder has stabilized or surgery may be considered.
Inpatient treatment
If you are diagnosed with cholecystitis, you may need to be hospitalized. Your doctor will try to control your symptoms and the inflammatory response. Treatment measures include
1. Fasting. To keep the burden of gallbladder inflammation down, you may not be able to eat or drink. Therefore, intravenous fluids may be required to keep you from becoming dehydrated.
2. antibiotics to fight the infection. Antibiotics will be recommended by your doctor if it is determined that there is an infection in the gallbladder.
3. painkillers. They can relieve your pain until the inflammation of the gallbladder goes away. The symptoms may subside within 1-2 days.
Surgical removal of the gallbladder
Because cholecystitis often comes back, most people eventually choose to have their gallbladder removed (cholecystectomy). The timing of surgery depends on the severity of your symptoms and the overall risk you take during and after surgery. If the risk of surgery is low, you may be able to have surgery within 48 hours of your hospital stay.
A cholecystectomy is usually done with a tiny camera set up on the end of a hose. This allows the surgeon to see inside your abdomen and use special surgical tools to remove the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The surgical tool and camera are extended into the abdomen through four incisions in the abdomen, and the surgeon can guide the tool by looking at the monitor. Open surgery that requires a longer incision in the abdomen is rarely used.
Less invasive cholecystectomies are currently under investigation. The operation known as natural canal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) can reduce scarring and discomfort. While laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still the standard of care for gallbladder removal, NOTES therapy is being performed in several medical centers worldwide and is likely to be an important alternative in the future. Once the gallbladder is removed, bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine and is no longer stored in the gallbladder. You can live a normal life without your gallbladder.
Prevention
You can prevent gallstones from forming and thus reduce your risk of cholecystitis in several ways.
1. Losing weight slowly. Rapid weight loss may increase the risk of gallstones. If you do need to lose weight, aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kg) per week.
2. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can increase the risk of forming gallstones.
To achieve a healthy weight, try to reduce your calorie intake and increase physical activity. Maintain a healthy weight through healthy eating and exercise.
3. Choose a healthy diet. A high-fat, low-fiber diet can increase the risk of developing gallstones. To reduce the risk of gallstones, eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.