The gallbladder holds bile from the liver, and releases it into the small intestine.
When a gallstone forms, it can wedge itself in the duct that releases bile — causing bile buildup and a painful condition called cholecystitis.
Cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation, occurs when bile can't circulate out of the liver as it normally does.
When bile builds up, it causes the gallbladder to thicken, harden, swell, and become irritated.
The abdomen becomes painful, and infection can occur if bile can't flow properly.

Symptoms of Cholecystitis

The most common symptoms of cholecystitis are:
  • Fever
  • Severe and sudden pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen
  • Pain that persists for more than six hours
  • Pain after eating a meal
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Soreness in the right part of the abdomen
Although it's easy to mistake the symptoms of cholecystitis for some other simple problem, it's important to get a proper medical diagnosis.
Untreated cholecystitis can lead to complications, so don't brush off these symptoms as just a little indigestion or a stomach bug.
Cholecystitis can be chronic — persistent and long-lasting swelling and damage to the gallbladder — or acute, a sudden "attack" that causes swelling and irritation of the gallbladder.
Persistent acute attacks of cholecystitis can lead to chronic cholecystitis.

Causes of Cholecystitis

Some of the most common causes of cholecystitis include:
  • Gallstones becoming lodged in the duct of the gallbladder, preventing bile from emptying
  • Complications from some other health condition like diabetes or HIV
  • Persistent cholecystitis attacks and consistent swelling
  • Gallbladder sludge — a thick substance that pollutes the gallbladder and can't be absorbed. Pregnant women and people who have lost a lot of weight in a short period of time can experience this.
  • A tumor in the liver or pancreas
  • Reduced blood flow to the gallbladder
  • Bacterial infection that strikes the bile duct system, which empties bile from the gallbladder

Treatment of Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis can be easily diagnosed with an exam, medical history, ultrasounds, X-rays, and some imaging tests to detect gallbladder inflammation.
Once diagnosed, cholecystitis can be treated with:
  • Cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder — the most common treatment
  • Switching to a low-fat diet
  • Medications to manage pain
  • Medications to dissolve the gallstones
  • Medications to keep gallstones from forming
People with mild cholecystitis may just have to adjust their diet, take antibiotics, and drink plenty of fluids to allow the inflammation to subside.
More serious cases of cholecystitis require more involved methods.
Treatment generally requires a stay in the hospital, as well as antibiotics to manage inflammation and infection in the gallbladder.
Treatment is necessary to prevent complications of cholecystitis, such as jaundice,pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallbladder cancer, or gallbladder inflammation that just gets worse.
Which treatment is right for you will depend on your symptoms, your age, how well you can tolerate the treatment, and your general health.
If you have symptoms, you should see a doctor about a diagnosis and figure out the right treatment plan to tackle cholecystitis.