Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
What is cholecystitis?
Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) is a condition that causes irritation and swelling in the gallbladder. This small, pear-shaped organ, located in your upper right abdomen under your liver, holds fluid (bile) that digests food. Normally bile drains out of the gallbladder and into the small intestine. If a gallstone blocks the bile duct, the bile builds up in the gallbladder causing inflammation and infection.
Cholecystitis is treated by gastroenterologists, doctors who focus on the digestive system. At Penn Medicine, our biliary and pancreatic disease care specialists evaluate and treat gallbladder stones, bile duct blockages, and infections that can lead to cholecystitis.
Recognizing the signs of gallbladder inflammation
Cholecystitis symptoms can vary depending on whether the inflammation develops suddenly (acute) or over time (chronic).
Acute cholecystitis often causes a sudden, intense pain or gallbladder attack. The main symptom is steady pain in the upper right or center of the abdomen that builds quickly and lasts at least 30 minutes. The pain can spread to the right shoulder or back and may sometimes feel like a heart attack.
You may also feel:
- Sharp or cramping pain that worsens with deep breaths
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite or bloating
- Fever
- Weakness or fatigue
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Pale or clay-colored stools
Chronic cholecystitis symptoms are usually milder than the acute form and come and go. You may feel abdominal pain and nausea, especially after eating a rich or heavy meal. Fatty foods require more bile to digest, which makes your gallbladder squeeze harder. The extra pressure can cause pain that lasts for a few hours.
What causes cholecystitis?
The most common cause of both acute and chronic cholecystitis is gallstones blocking the bile duct.
Other causes include:
- Serious illnesses like Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes
- Viral infections
- Bile duct stricture
- Bile duct blockage
- Reduced blood flow to the gallbladder
- Tumors that block the gallbladder
Diagnosing gallbladder inflammation
Your provider will start with a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. Pressing on the upper abdomen often causes pain when the gallbladder is inflamed. Blood tests can check for signs of infection. Imaging scans look for gallstones or inflammation.
Treatment for an inflamed gallbladder
Cholecystitis can be a serious condition and may require treatment in a hospital, especially when symptoms come on suddenly. Care often begins with IV fluids and pain relief. If there are signs of infection, antibiotics may be added. Your provider may also drain the gallbladder to relieve pressure or use the ERCP procedure to remove a stone blocking a bile duct. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the gallbladder, particularly for repeated attacks or severe inflammation.
Count on experienced surgeons for biliary care
When a gallbladder attack occurs, you need an experienced team that understands gallbladder disease and can act quickly and safely. At Penn Medicine, you’ll receive care from surgeons who treat these conditions every day, including complex cases often referred to us from across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Our team uses modern approaches to gallbladder removal, including advanced imaging during surgery and minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques where possible. These methods may help reduce pain and shorten recovery time.