Cholecystitis is an inflammatory pathology of the gallbladder. Usually it is associated with the formation of calculi in this organ. Stones help block ducts. This can lead to rupture of the walls of the gallbladder and the development of acute inflammation of the abdominal cavity. How does the disease manifest itself and why does it occur? This article details the causes of an attack of cholecystitis, symptoms, treatment at home.
Varieties of pathology
There are several types of inflammatory process in the gallbladder:
- Acute. It is characterized by pronounced signs. The disease develops within a few days.
- Chronic inflammatory process. It proceeds slowly, without pronounced manifestations. Often arises as a result of the lack of adequate therapy for acute pathology.
In addition, there are such types of diseases:
- Calculous cholecystitis. It develops in the presence of calculi and pus in the gallbladder, thickening of the walls.
- Catarrhal. It manifests itself as a slight compaction of the tissues of the organ. It is not accompanied by a violation of the process of discharge of bile or a change in its composition.
- Phlegmonous. It manifests itself as a pronounced inflammatory process, an accumulation of pus. It poses a threat to the life of the patient and requires immediate assistance.
- Gangrenous. Accompanied by the death of tissues. It leads to rupture of the walls of the organ, the development of acute inflammation in the abdominal cavity.
How to eliminate an acute attack of cholecystitis, symptoms?
Treatment at home in some cases helps to get rid of the signs of the disease. But if the patient is in serious condition, he needs therapy in a hospital setting and, possibly, surgical intervention.
What factors contribute to the development of pathology?
The main causes of cholecystitis can be listed:
- Old age.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Wrong diet (abuse of desserts, fried, smoked, spicy and salty foods). Relieving symptoms and treating an attack of cholecystitis at home involves dieting and the exclusion of these products.
- Prolonged fasting.
- Alcohol abuse, smoking.
- Hypodynamia.
- Violation of the lipid metabolism.
What diseases lead to inflammation?
In some cases, cholecystitis occurs in patients with the following pathologies:
- Duodenitis.
- Diabetes
- Crohn's disease.
- Disorders of the small intestine.
- Gastrointestinal ulcer.
- Parasitic infestations (giardiasis).
- Intestinal infections.
- Celiac disease.
- Gallbladder stones.
- Pathologies of ENT organs (sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchi).
- Imbalances in the microflora in the intestines.
- Inflammation of the appendix.
- Infections of the reproductive and urinary systems (cystitis, pyelonephritis, diseases of the ovaries, prostate gland).
- Allergic reactions.
- Congenital malformations of the gallbladder.
- Hormonal imbalance that occurs before critical days during the period of gestation.
- Obese.
In the presence of a predisposition, eating disorders often lead to symptoms of an acute attack of cholecystitis. Treatment at home, first of all, should be aimed at eliminating discomfort and eliminating factors that contribute to the deterioration of the condition. Any errors in the diet can cause the development of dangerous complications.
Why does an attack occur?
Patients suffering from this ailment often notice a sharp deterioration in their health after holidays, feasts. This is due to the following factors:
- The use of large quantities of alcoholic beverages.
- Passion for fatty, salty, smoked and spicy foods, sparkling water, desserts, junk food.
- Binge eating.
- A set of excess kilograms due to improper diet.
As a result of the influence of these factors, bile becomes too thick, an inflammatory process occurs in the tissues of the organ, calculi form. The patient develops an acute attack of cholecystitis. Symptoms of home treatment are suggested using drugs that help normalize the outflow of bile.
Signs indicating the presence of pathology
How to recognize a disease? In the event of an attack of acute cholecystitis, the symptoms occur as follows:
- Discomfort of a cutting or girdling character in the right side, which often gives to the shoulder area and shoulder blade.
- Feeling nauseous.
- Bitter taste in the oral cavity.
- Chills.
- The feeling of overwhelming.
- Vomiting with an admixture of bile.
- Frequent burping.
- Heat.
- Dry mouth.
- Heart palpitations.
- Increased gas formation.
For an attack of acute cholecystitis, a symptom is characteristic, which consists in increasing pain in the right side, under the rib, with pressure.
In some patients, the skin and whites of the eyes acquire a yellow tint. Urine becomes dark, and feces become light. These signs indicate a violation of the outflow of bile.
The consequences of pathology
If symptoms of an acute attack of cholecystitis occur, treatment of the disease should be started as soon as possible. This ailment can lead to dangerous complications that can lead to death. As the main consequences of the pathology, specialists list:
- Accumulation of pus, rupture of the walls of the organ, acute inflammation of the abdominal cavity.
- The appearance of an abscess.
- The occurrence of biliary fistula.
- Acute inflammation of the pancreas.
- Jaundice of a mechanical nature.
An attack of pathology develops rapidly, proceeds severely and lasts for a long time. One should not hope that the symptoms of the disease will disappear on their own. It is necessary to call an ambulance. Prior to the arrival of medical workers, measures should be taken to alleviate the condition of the patient.
First Aid Methods
Speaking about the features of an acute attack of cholecystitis, symptoms and treatment of pathology, it should be noted that the patient is forbidden to take any drugs. Analgesics can eliminate discomfort, however, they can prevent the doctor from making the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate therapy. First aid methods should be strictly limited. First of all, you should help the patient to take a comfortable position. It is better if the patient will lie on his right side. You can give a person a small amount of non-carbonated mineral water or boiled water or warm green tea. To alleviate discomfort a little, it is recommended to place a plastic bag of ice under the rib.
What methods can not be used?
In the event of an attack of cholecystitis, symptoms, first aid should be given very carefully, do not take radical measures. The patient should not be offered too hot or too cold drinks. It is forbidden to make warm compresses, to put heating pads on a sore spot.
You can not do a person washing the stomach, enemas, give laxatives. If it is known that the patient suffers from chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, and he has an exacerbation, you can do an intramuscular injection of a drug that relieves spasms and wait until the symptoms of the pathology subside. However, such a method is permissible only in a situation where the diagnosis was made by a doctor and the doctor recommended the medicine. Even if the condition improves, the patient should contact a medical institution.
Ways to combat pathology
What to do when symptoms of an acute attack of cholecystitis occur? Treatment at home is, first of all, in compliance with the diet, bed rest. Proper nutrition helps to avoid repeated attacks and dangerous complications. The first two days you must refrain from eating. Permissible use of still warm water. In addition, you can reduce symptoms with the help of decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants. In folk medicine, corn stigmas, immortelle, oregano, marigold, chamomile are used.
However, before taking such drugs, you must consult a specialist. Herbal remedies are allowed to be used only in the absence of stones in the gall bladder.
Diagnostics
To identify pathology, the following examinations are performed:
- Analyzes of biological material (blood, urine).
- Coprogram.
- Examination of feces for antibodies to parasites.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
- X-ray
- FGDS.
- Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.
- Endo ultrasound.
Medicines
Therapy for gallbladder inflammation is the use of drugs. In severe cases, surgery is performed (removal of the affected organ).
If you have an attack of cholecystitis, symptoms, how to relieve discomfort? Experts recommend the following groups of medicines:
- Drugs that eliminate spasm.
- Means that reduce inflammation.
- Antibiotics.
- Medicines that ensure the normal functioning of the digestive tract.
- Enzymes.
- Drugs that improve the outflow of bile.
- Means containing lactobacilli.
In the event of an attack of cholecystitis, treatment should be prescribed by a specialist.
Basic Nutrition Rules for Patients
An important component of therapy is dieting.
A patient who has been diagnosed with gallbladder inflammation is allowed to consume the following foods:
- First courses based on milk or vegetable broth.
- Meat, fish and poultry dishes, baked or steamed.
- Egg protein omelets.
- Low fat dairy products.
- Non-acidic fruits and berries.
- Mild vegetables.
- Pasta, cereals.
- Biscuits, crackers, crackers.
- Jam from sweet fruits and berries.
- Greens (parsley, dill).
- Cinnamon and vanilla.
- Dried fruits, marmalade, sweets without cocoa and chocolate.
Patients are prohibited from consuming:
- Fried, spicy, salted, pickled, sour and fatty foods.
- Sauces (mayonnaise, adjika, ketchup, mustard).
- High lipid dairy products.
- Mushrooms.
- Yolks of eggs.
- Beans, peas.
- Coffee, chocolate, cocoa, sparkling water.
- Alcohol-containing products.
- Confectionery, pastry.
- Vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries with a sharp and sour taste.
How to prevent an attack?
Preventive measures include:
- Compliance with the recommendations of a specialist.
- Proper diet, taking medications prescribed by your doctor.
- Timely treatment of pathologies of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, parasitic infestations, allergic reactions.
- Moderate physical activity.
- A complete rejection of the use of alcohol-containing products, smoking.
We hope this article will help you to recognize the disease in time and turn to a specialist for help.