The gallbladder is an organ that performs the function of depot for bile, continuously produced by liver cells. Inflammation of the gallbladder is called in medicine cholecystitis, which can occur in acute and chronic form and is observed more often in women over forty. With this disease, bile is released in less than that required for digestion of food quantities, which causes a number of adverse effects.
Causes of pathology
The disease can be associated with various factors. In many cases, the development of inflammation of this organ is facilitated by the formation in it of stones (concrements), which is often accompanied by infectious processes due to the multiplication of microorganisms that have risen from the intestine.
Cholecystitis is quite a dangerous disease, as with its progression, the risk of rupture of the gallbladder wall and the development of peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) increases. Therefore, for anybody, it will not be superfluous to know what symptoms are observed in the inflammation of the gallbladder in women, and at what signs urgent medical care is needed.
Signs of acute inflammation of the gallbladder in women
As a rule, acute inflammation of this organ manifests itself as a sudden onset attack on the background of complete well-being. First of all, there are painful sensations that can be characterized as intense, dull, cramping, intensifying with deep inspiration. The pain is localized in the upper right side of the abdomen, sometimes passes to the entire surface of it, and also gives to the right shoulder blade, shoulder, neck. Another characteristic feature is an increase in body temperature, which can reach 38 ° C, and in some cases - 40 ° C.
To pain and fever in acute cholecystitis, the following symptoms are also often associated:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- heartburn;
- bitterness, metallic taste in the mouth;
- cardiopalmus;
- labored breathing;
- headache;
- sweating;
- cardiopalmus;
- bloating;
- convulsions;
- tension of the muscles of the abdominal wall to the right;
- stool disorders.
Signs of chronic gallbladder inflammation in women
The predominantly chronic form of this disease develops independently, less often - against the background of the earlier observed episode of acute cholecystitis, untreated, untimely or incorrectly treated. Chronic inflammation can last for several years, while the affected organ gradually loses its normal functions and provokes the development of other digestive system diseases (gastroduodenitis, pancreatitis, etc.).
In the period of remission of chronic cholecystitis, patients feel relatively well, pathological manifestations are practically absent. Some patients can complain only about the heaviness in the stomach after eating, eructations, flatulence.
During the exacerbation of the disease, patients notice symptoms that occur most often after taking unhealthy foods (fatty, fried, smoked, etc.), alcoholic or carbonated beverages, heavy physical exertion, hypothermia, stress, etc. These manifestations are similar to acute symptoms Forms:
- pain;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- fever, etc.
And if the exacerbation is caused by the movement of stones in the gallbladder, then it can serve as an onset of hepatic colic with the following symptoms:
- severe abdominal pain;
- repeated vomiting, not bringing relief (vomiting can be bile);
- jaundice of the skin and sclera;
- darkening of urine;
- increased sweating;
- dyspnea.
Such attacks, which occur more often at night, require immediate medical attention, sometimes hospitalization.