Symptoms of an Acute Gallbladder Inflammation
Acute cholecystitis refers to the sudden inflammation of the gallbladder, causing severe abdominal pain. Most cases of acute cholecystits are caused by gallstones trapping bile within the gallbladder. This type of inflammation can lead to gallbladder infection or perforation. In a small percentage of cases, acute cholecystitis may be caused by alcohol abuse or gallbladder tumors.
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Abdominal Pain
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Pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen is the primary symptom of an acute gallbladder inflammation. The pain may be either sharp, cramping or dull, spreading to either the back or beneath the right shoulder blade. The pain may come and go, and is usually worse within minutes after consuming greasy or fatty foods.
Nausea and Vomiting
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Nausea and vomiting are secondary symptoms of acute gallbladder inflammation. They do not require immediate medical attention unless the symptoms persist for several days or you cannot keep down any fluids or foods. The concern for prolonged vomiting is dehydration, especially if it is accompanied with diarrhea.
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Fever
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Fever occurs in approximately one third of those suffering from acute cholecystitis. The fever rises gradually to above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and is occasionally accompanied by chills.
Clay-Colored Stools
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Bile is created in the liver and stored in the gallbladder prior to being released into the small intestine. Bile is what provides stool with its brown color. Stools appear clay-colored with acute gallbladder inflammation due to the digestive system's inability to properly absorb fat when bile is not released into the small intestine. Stools may also appear greasy for the same reason.
Jaundice
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Jaundice is a yellow color in the whites of the eyes or the skin that is a result of bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells. With acute gallbladder inflammation, processed bilirubin is unable to travel smoothly from the liver through the bile ducts to the small intestine. This causes an overload of bilirubin. As a result, the skin and mucous membranes turn yellow.
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