Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder, which is accompanied by impaired motor function. Clinical manifestations include pain and a certain severity in the right hypochondrium, their occurrence causes the intake of alcohol or too fatty foods. Attacks are most often accompanied by bitterness and dry mouth, nausea and vomiting. Concomitant diseases of cholecystitis are enterocolitis, gastroduodenitis, pancreatitis. Chronic stagnation of bile can contribute to the formation of stones in bile, as well as the development of calculous cholecystitis.
Chronic cholecystitis is the same inflammation of the gallbladder, but also having a relapsing, chronic nature. Very often combined with various disorders associated with the excretion of bile.
Chronic cholecystitis and its symptoms
The development of chronic cholecystitis occurs over a fairly long time, with exacerbations constantly alternating with periods of remission. One of the main symptoms of chronic cholecystitis is pain, which is moderately pronounced, aching in nature, and the place of its localization is the right hypochondrium. The pain can last up to several weeks. In chronic cholecystitis, intensification of pain symptoms after the next intake of alcohol, carbonated drinks, fatty or spicy foods is characteristic. Exacerbation of chronic cholecystitis occurs due to violations in the diet, hypothermia and stress.
In patients, in addition to pain symptoms, belching is often noted, in the mouth there is a taste of bitterness, nausea and vomiting.
Chronic cholecystitis and its treatment
Almost always, chronic cholecystitis is treated conservatively by a gastroenterologist. During periods of exacerbation, treatment is aimed solely at relieving acute symptoms, the patient is also prescribed sanation of the source of infection with antibiotic therapy, detoxification of the body and restoration of digestive functions.
To relieve inflammation and analgesia, drugs belonging to the group of anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs are used. The spasm of the ducts and gall bladder, more precisely its smooth muscles, is removed with antispasmodics.
In order to eliminate stagnation of bile, drugs are used that enhance the entire peristalsis of the biliary tract. Drugs that increase bile secretion are used with extreme caution, as they can aggravate congestion and increase soreness.
In the treatment of uncomplicated chronic cholecystitis during exacerbations, phytotherapy methods are used: a decoction of various herbs (chamomile, dandelion, valerian, peppermint, calendula).
Diet for chronic cholecystitis, tububes with magnesia, sorbitol or xylitol - recommended for patients in remission. Herbal medicine of chronic cholecystitis includes taking decoctions of yarrow, marshmallow, buckthorn, tansy. When physiotherapeutic treatment is used: mud therapy, SMT therapy, electrophoresis, reflexology, etc.
In the case of chronic calculous cholecystitis , only surgical intervention is indicated, namely, removal of the gallbladder. In case of contraindication of surgical intervention, the method of non-surgical destruction of stones using lithotripsy (shock wave) is recommended, but in this case it should be understood that crushing of stones will not lead to healing, and it is possible that their re-formation will soon occur.
There is also a method of destroying stones with a medication using chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic salt preparations, but this treatment will take about two years and also will not lead to a complete cure. With this treatment, there is no guarantee that the stones will not form again over time.