The gallbladder is a small organ connected to the liver. The gallbladder stores the bile produced in your liver, and releases it into your small intestines to help digest fat.

Around 95% of cases of acute cholecystitis are due to gallstones or biliary sludge (a mixture of bile and other matter) becoming trapped at the opening of the gallbladder. The other 5% of cases usually involve people who have been treated in hospital for trauma or acute biliary illness (illness relating to bile or the liver).

Symptoms of inflammation of the gallbladder or acute cholecystitis
The most common symptom of inflammation of the gallbladder is pain on the right hand side of your upper body. The pain is usually sudden, constant and severe.

Other symptoms can include one or more of the following:

1. a slightly raised temperature (of around 37-38C),
2. tenderness in the upper right hand side of your body,
3. anorexia,
4. nausea,
5. vomiting,
6. sweating.

Causes of inflammation of the gallbladder or acute cholecystitis

Most cases of acute cholecystitis are caused by gallstones or biliary sludge becoming trapped at the opening of the gallbladder.

The following factors can make gallstones more likely to form:

1. pregnancy,
2. obesity,
3. increasing age,
4. rapid weight loss,
5. diabetes,
6. Crohn’s disease,
7. hyperlipidaemia,
8. a history of gallstones in your mother’s family.

Diagnosing Inflammation of the gallbladder or acute cholecystitis

If your doctor suspects acute cholecystitis, they may examine you to see how tender your gallbladder is. The majority of people who have acute cholecystitis have a history of gallstones, so your doctor is likely to ask you whether you have previously had gallstones.

An ultrasound and blood tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis, but these are usually done in hospital. As acute cholecystitis is a serious condition, you are likely to be admitted to hospital straight away for confirmation of the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.

Treating Inflammation of the gallbladder or acute cholecystitis

Treatment for Inflammation of the gallbladder is usually provided in hospital. If your doctor suspects you have this condition, they are likely to admit you to hospital straight away so that the diagnosis can be confirmed and you can receive treatment.

Treatment usually consists of:

1. intravenous fluids (fluids that enter your system through a very thin tube, which is connected to a fine needle, that goes into your vein),
2. antibiotics,
3. analgesia (pain-relieving drugs).

Complications of Inflammation of the gallbladder or acute cholecystitis

If acute cholecystitis is not treated, there can be complications, such as perforation of the gallbladder, biliary peritonitis,pericholecystic abscess, and fistula (between the gallbladder and duodenum).

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