Cholecystitis is an infectious inflammation of the gallbladder. The inflammatory process develops for two main reasons: the presence of microflora in the lumen of the organ and a violation of the outflow of bile. The gallbladder is a component of the liver. Bile accumulates in it, which enters the small intestine, where it emulsifies fats, eliminates the effect of pepsin and performs other digestive functions necessary for humans.
There are two types of disease: calculous and non-calculous. “Calculus” is translated from Latin as stone, so other names for the disease are common: stone and stoneless.
Cholecystitis of the second type occurs 2.5 times less frequently among patients, but is characterized by a large number of deaths. Less than 1% of the population suffers from this type of disease. These are middle-aged or elderly people. Inflammation occurs in women 2 times more often than in men. The disease is common among people over 60 years of age.
Classification
Typically, both types occur chronically with exacerbations of varying frequency. There is also an acute course of the disease. The acute phase, unlike the chronic phase, is easily and successfully treated. It is necessary to determine the type of disease before treatment.
Chronic acalculous cholecystitis, abbreviated as CAC, is classified based on inflammation. There are catarrhal, phlegmonous, gangrenous varieties. The presence of a complication is also an indicator. The disease is divided into complicated and uncomplicated. The disease is also classified according to its leading factor. There are postoperative factors, oxygen-free, enzymatic and ischemic.
Inflammation is divided according to the stages of its course into mild, moderate or severe and according to the nature of the course into variable, recurrent and monotonous. It also develops in a classical form and in an atypical one.
How to use other vegetable oils
Flaxseed oil is also very often used for gall bladder problems. It contains many polyunsaturated fatty acids, potassium, and fat-soluble vitamins, due to which it has a general strengthening effect and lowers cholesterol. Flaxseed oil is taken in small portions during meals. It should be borne in mind that the presence of pancreatitis, coagulopathies (reduced blood clotting), diseases of the female reproductive system accompanied by bleeding are a contraindication to the use of flaxseed oil.
Sea buckthorn is also widely used in the treatment of cholecystitis and pancreatitis. Sea buckthorn oil, like flaxseed oil, is rich in vitamins and nutrients, thanks to which it normalizes the function of many organs and systems in the body. For example, sea buckthorn oil contains vitamins C, A, E, biotin, B vitamins, many minerals, and antioxidants. Sea buckthorn oil is used in a teaspoon 20-30 minutes before meals several times a day, the indication is the presence of not only cholecystitis (except calculous), but also pancreatitis, constipation, toxic liver damage, immunodeficiency, vitamin deficiency and many other diseases. Sea buckthorn oil is contraindicated in acute inflammatory diseases, including the presence of acute calculous cholecystitis and acute pancreatitis. Sea buckthorn oil is not used for tubage.
Other remedies used in the treatment of problems with the biliary tract include pumpkin seeds, tomato, carrot and blueberry juices, walnuts, sweet fruits (melon, bananas, strawberries), and low-fat fermented milk products. Which of the above-mentioned means to use is decided purely individually.
Thus, at home, acalculous cholecystitis is very easily and simply controlled using traditional methods. The effectiveness of treatment with regular and correct use is not inferior to that of drug therapy. It is worth remembering that it will not be possible to cure the disease completely, but you can significantly reduce the symptoms and prolong remission without much effort.
Often, it is untreated acute cholecystitis that causes chronic acalculous cholecystitis (CAC). However, much more often non-calculous gallbladder disease manifests itself as a primary chronic disease. The weaker sex suffers from it much more often than men. This pathology is registered not only in middle-aged and elderly people, but also in young people. Experts believe that chronic cholecystitis is the initial phase of calculous cholecystitis.
Characteristic
Acalculous cholecystitis is characterized by fibrosis of the bladder. There is a proliferation of connective tissue with scar changes, which gradually replaces the tissue of the organ, which disrupts its functioning. The result may be problems with peristalsis, contractions of the walls, due to which bile moves to the outlet openings of the bladder passages.
If the disease progresses, it will lead to the appearance of adhesions with other organs. Pus appears in the bladder, and infiltrates and ulcers appear in the mucous membrane. When inflamed, the wall of the bladder becomes denser, which leads to gradual deformation of the organ.
In certain cases, non-calculous cholecystitis is only the initial phase of the stone-type course, that is, after some time, stones form in the gallbladder.
The gallbladder ceases to perform functions and becomes a focus of inflammation, affecting other organs of the gastrointestinal tract. If such inflammation affects the liver, the patient develops hepatitis.
Why is the acalculous form of cholecystitis dangerous?
Acalculous cholecystitis leads to stagnation of bile, the formation of stones, and inflammation of the biliary tract. If the disease is not treated, it can result in the following complications:
- empyema of the gallbladder;
- intestinal obstruction;
- sluggish cholangitis;
- calculous cholecystitis;
- perforation of the bladder wall;
- diverticula in the colon;
- diffuse peritonitis;
- pancreatitis.
Non-calculous cholecystitis is accompanied by stagnation of bile, which impairs digestion. Chronic constipation is dangerous due to blockage of the intestines, the formation of diverticula - pouch-like protrusions - in its walls. The accumulation of feces in them is fraught with peritonitis and even death.
Causes
The cause of the disease is the penetration of infection into the organ. Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract is one of the causes of infectious processes in the gallbladder. Bacteria enter the organ during blood circulation. But CBC has a polyetiological nature, so the bacterial route of infection is not the only one.
Predisposing factors
A bacterial infection in the bladder rarely suggests the development of cholecystitis. For the development of the disease, the following factors must be combined with the cause:
- duct dyskinesia, bending of the ducts, problems with contractile function, which causes disturbances in the inflow and outflow of bile;
- obesity;
- problems with blood circulation;
- ingestion of enzymes from the pancreas.
Stagnation of bile in humans
Stagnation of bile, as a predisposing factor, is caused by a sedentary lifestyle, neurotic disorders, frequent consumption of fatty foods and dolichomorphic body proportions. Today, these factors often lead to inflammation of the gallbladder.
Additional reasons and factors
In addition to the classical reasons, there are atypical situations that favor the development of the disease. Doctors include:
- decreased immunity;
- congenital anomalies and structural defects of the gastrointestinal tract;
- splanchnoptosis;
- stress, chronic fatigue syndrome;
- hormonal disorders;
- presence of parasites.
Cholecystitis is a typical complication during pregnancy. It is typical for women who do not follow dietary recommendations and lead a sedentary lifestyle. CHD is caused by a heart attack or stroke, serious traumatic injuries, or severe burns. The disease develops in older people in combination with multiple organ failure syndrome.
Non-calculous cholecystitis: everything you need to know about the pathology
Noncalculous cholecystitis is often called acalculous cholecystitis, which is due to disruption of the activity of the gallbladder, but without the formation of bile clots and stones in it.
What is it and what is the peculiarity of the disease?
This form of pathology can occur in both acute and chronic forms. Exacerbations are rare; their development is associated with exposure to unfavorable factors, including dietary errors.
Non-calculous cholecystitis is included in the international classification of diseases. This is due to the prevalence of the process among the entire population of the globe.
The pathology was assigned a special ICD code - K81. This is a general category that includes all existing types of cholecystitis, including those without stone formation.
ICD 10 code K 81.1 includes the chronic form of the disease, and K 81.9 – pathology of unspecified etiology. Symbols are often included in the medical history, allowing doctors from all over the world to diagnose and treat even if there is a language barrier.
Stages and phases of the pathological process
Acalculous cholecystitis originates in the gallbladder. It is characterized by a persistent inflammatory process, which, as it progresses, becomes chronic. Prolonged course of the disease without proper treatment leads to irreversible consequences. The organ is deformed, its walls become denser and thicker, atrophy of the mucous membranes and scar formation are recorded.
For a long time, a person is unaware of the presence of pathology. And the symptoms of non-calculous cholecystitis may not appear. Its progression is indicated by periodic pain and general disorder of the digestive system.
According to approved data, non-calculous cholecystitis is a process accompanied by changes in the organ, but without any deposits in it.
It occurs in three main stages:
With mild stage acalculous cholecystitis, pain of low intensity and general malaise are recorded. The average degree of pathology is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, the pain increases in intensity.
The severe stage occurs with acute pain syndrome, which covers the area of the right hypochondrium. A sharp increase in body temperature to 39 degrees, repeated vomiting and a decrease in blood pressure are possible.
Chronic cholecystitis is a common form of the disease. This is due to the modern rhythm of human life, unhealthy food, abuse of bad habits and frequent stressful situations.
Main reasons for development
Repeated research and surveys allowed medical workers to create a statistical base. According to the information received, acalculous cholecystitis develops against the background of the penetration of infectious agents into the body.
Penetrating into the gallbladder, they begin to actively damage the walls and membranes of the organ, causing atrophy and deformation. Infectious agents enter the bile, which provokes the development of an acute inflammatory process.
The risk of developing chronic acalculous cholecystitis is due to the following conditions and factors:
- organ deformation,
- abnormal development of the gallbladder,
- last trimester of pregnancy,
- failure to maintain proper nutrition,
- pathologies of the endocrine type,
- sedentary lifestyle,
- abuse of bad habits,
- hormonal therapy.
Acalculous cholecystitis is dangerous due to a long period of “silence”. The absence of clinical manifestations is a favorable factor contributing to the rapid development of pathology. In some cases, chronic acalculous cholecystitis leads to the formation of adhesions with the intestines. This condition is dangerous because many organs of the digestive tract are involved in the process, which requires immediate treatment.
Symptoms
Cholecystitis develops over time. The early stage is difficult to determine. When it becomes progressive, it is characterized by the following symptoms:
- acute pain syndrome in the right hypochondrium, characterized by heaviness, itching or burning;
- digestive problems, dyspepsia.
Symptoms vary greatly in the initial stage of the disease and do not appear simultaneously. The first symptom of the disease is both pain and difficulty in digestion. Typically, the pain symptom becomes stronger after fatty or spicy foods or carbonated drinks.
Subsequently, the symptoms become clear and identical for most patients. Signs of the disease include:
- weak aching pain in the hypochondrium on the right side, if peristalsis is weak;
- acute short-term pain syndrome, if the motility of the organ and bile ducts is strong;
- spread of pain to the epigastric region;
- bitter taste when eating;
- burning in the mouth;
- metallic taste;
- feeling of dry mouth;
- vomiting containing bile;
- flatulence;
- involuntary muscle contractions;
- skin rashes.
A painful attack is caused by eating after an hour or staying in a sitting position for a long time.
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Chronic calculous cholecystitis
– persistent inflammation of the mucous membrane of the gallbladder, associated with the presence of stones in it. Gastroenterologists believe that this pathology is associated with secondary infection of bile. Chronic calculous cholecystitis clinically manifests itself as pain in the right side, nausea, and mood swings. Diagnostics includes liver tests, ultrasound of the hepatobiliary system, plain radiography of the obstructive liver, endocrine cholangiopancreatography, MRI and CT of the liver and biliary tract, cholescintigraphy. Treatment is conservative (diet, analgesics, antispasmodics, antibiotics) or combined (supplemented by surgery).
Atypical forms
The atypical form of CBC is difficult to diagnose. Non-classical varieties include esophageal, intestinal and cardiac variants. Each of them corresponds to special symptoms, different from the classic course of the disease.
Esophageal cholecystitis
Esophageal variant
Symptoms of this type include:
- constant heartburn not associated with eating food, which does not go away even after taking antacids;
- dysphagia, discomfort in the retrosternal region when swallowing;
- pain in the epigastric region.
Intestinal variant
This variant is caused by digestive problems. Insufficient bile enters the intestines. It is characterized by:
- moderate pain syndrome;
- swelling;
- rumbling;
- constipation that does not respond to drug therapy.
Cardiological option
This variety is difficult to diagnose. It is easily confused with heart disease, with myocardial infarction. Cholecystocardial syndrome also appears in advanced cases. Patients experience the following symptoms:
- tachycardia;
- pain in the chest area;
- sensations of irregular heartbeat.
Symptoms appear after eating or while lying down. This form of cholecystitis indicates the effect of the disease on the functioning of the heart.
Cardiac cholecystitis
Folk remedies in the treatment process
Therapy of non-calculous cholecystitis with folk remedies includes the use of herbal decoctions and infusions with anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. They are connected to the main treatment and have a good effect during the period of remission. All herbal decoctions are advised to be drunk warm before meals 30 minutes.
Patients are advised to alternate the intake of chamomile, calendula flowers, licorice root, rose hips, tea with mint and oregano. You can make combinations of them. You should take herbs in courses of 1.5–2 months, then take a break and repeat.
It is recommended to have chamomile in your home medicine cabinet; it will replace medications for many problems.
Complications
When inflammation spreads to neighboring organs, pericholecystitis occurs. The pain no longer subsides, occurs with sudden movements and radiates to the lower back, neck or shoulders. If the disease is not treated for a long time, the pain syndrome goes away, but the cause is tissue necrosis. If the inflammatory process reaches the liver, obstructive jaundice appears. An advanced disease leads to blood poisoning. The gallbladder quickly becomes a source of infection. Inflammation gradually affects all organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
Phytotherapy
Herbal medicine involves the use of a cocktail of the following herbs:
- peony - 20 ml;
- valerian - 20 ml;
- hawthorn - 20 ml;
- mint - 20 ml;
- belladonna - 10 ml;
- motherwort - 20 ml;
- calendula - 30 ml;
- wormwood - 20 ml.
In the presence of glaucoma, belladonna is not added.
You should drink the product 1-8 drops three times a day, five minutes before taking 1 tbsp of herbal infusion. l of water for 4-6 weeks. A mixture of calamus and elecampane tinctures is taken in equal quantities. Also drink 1-8 drops three times a day two minutes before taking 1 tbsp of herbal infusion. l. water for 4-6 weeks.
It should be remembered that the herbal medicine is added at a dose of 0.00325, i.e. the 14th dilution, and is increased daily by 1-2 dilutions until the optimal dose is reached.
A suitable dose is one that does not cause dyspeptic disorders, but, on the contrary, reduces the degree of existing manifestations. This dose is taken during the course, but if discomfort occurs, it is reduced by 1-2 units.
Diagnostics
The disease requires careful diagnosis before treatment. In case of cholecystitis, the doctor pays special attention to the medical history. Patient complaints are reviewed. The specialist determines the location of the pain syndrome and its nature. The doctor checks the patient's tongue for the presence of a white coating, confirming that the patient has bile stagnation. If a disease is suspected, laboratory tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis. Diagnostics include:
- general and biochemical blood test;
- cholecystography;
- duodenal intubation;
- cholegraphy;
- scintigraphy;
- ultrasonography;
- celiacography;
- X-ray.
Treatment
Acalculous cholecystitis is treated with therapeutic or surgical methods. According to statistics, surgery is required in less than 2% of cases. Although the nature of the disease is chronic, drug therapy is effective, resulting in remission.
Drug treatment
The following medications are used to treat chronic hepatitis:
- antibacterial;
- choleretic;
- enzymatic;
- painkillers;
- for gastrointestinal motility.
Diet therapy and exercise
Treatment requires a healthy lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle is contraindicated, but when there is an exacerbation, you should try to avoid physical activity. Fatty and fried foods are excluded from the diet.
Patients are recommended:
- gymnastics in the morning;
- walking;
- swimming 1-2 times;
- lack of oil, margarine, fried foods, spices, and fatty foods in the diet.
Treatment with folk remedies
Cholecystitis is one of the few diseases in the treatment of which traditional medicine helps well, but as a maintenance therapy, not a replacement. Folk remedies are necessary to stabilize motility and for changes in the composition of bile. The following herbal preparations are used:
- goldenflower;
- mint;
- rose hip;
- St. John's wort;
- tansy.
Surgery
Surgery is needed if serious complications occur. Surgery involves removing the organ. There are 2 ways. During a classic operation, the surgeon makes an incision in the upper abdomen. Postoperative recovery is long. The second method is laparoscopy. The doctor removes the gallbladder through small incisions in the abdomen. In this case, the patient recovers quickly.
Forecast
With timely diagnosis and treatment, CHD has a favorable prognosis. Infectious microflora cannot be completely removed, but exacerbation and relapse can be avoided by following medical instructions during the remission stage. If untreated, the infection also affects other organs, in which case the prognosis is unfavorable. If conservative practices do not help, then surgery will completely solve the problem.
Treatment of non-calculous cholecystitis in adults
To treat acalculous cholecystitis of acute and chronic forms, traditional medicine methods, surgery and medications are used. If there are no symptoms of non-calculous cholecystitis, treatment should be carried out with physiotherapeutic methods.
We are talking about the use of antispasmodics, means to improve the flow of bile, and painkillers. So, for non-calculous cholecystitis the following can be used:
- "Hemodez" intravenously to eliminate nausea and vomiting;
- Antispasmodics “Papaverine”, “No-Shpa”, “Platifillin” and analgin are necessary to relieve spasms and acute pain;
- Vitamins B and C as a complex therapy to maintain the patient’s normal condition;
- Compliance with diet No. 5 and bed rest during an exacerbation;
- Cholekinetics "Urolesan N" and "Holagol", which have a biliary effect;
- "Ursohol", "Allohol" and "Cholenzim" to improve bile secretion;
- "Furazolidone" for giardiasis;
- "Ampicillin", "Erythromycin" and "Cefantral" are necessary in the presence of symptoms of inflammation and severe pain;
- Enzymes “Mezim Forte” and “Festal” normalize digestion.
