&lt;h1 data-section-id=&quot;1yjz5s5&quot; data-start=&quot;193&quot; data-end=&quot;238&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is It and What Are the Signs?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;240&quot; data-end=&quot;303&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Let&amp;rsquo;s meet a small but hardworking organ: your &lt;strong data-start=&quot;287&quot; data-end=&quot;302&quot;&gt;gallbladder&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;305&quot; data-end=&quot;508&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s a tiny, pear-shaped organ tucked under your liver. Its job? To store and release &lt;strong data-start=&quot;391&quot; data-end=&quot;399&quot;&gt;bile&lt;/strong&gt;, a digestive fluid that helps your body break down fats after meals.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Now, &lt;strong data-start=&quot;515&quot; data-end=&quot;532&quot;&gt;cholecystitis&lt;/strong&gt; happens when this gallbladder becomes &lt;strong data-start=&quot;571&quot; data-end=&quot;607&quot;&gt;inflamed (irritated and swollen)&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;mdash;usually because something is blocking the flow of bile.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;510&quot; data-end=&quot;703&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;293i91&quot; data-start=&quot;705&quot; data-end=&quot;737&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why does it happen suddenly?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;739&quot; data-end=&quot;991&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In many cases, the problem starts when &lt;strong data-start=&quot;778&quot; data-end=&quot;792&quot;&gt;gallstones&lt;/strong&gt; (small hardened deposits) block the tube that drains bile from the gallbladder. This causes bile to build up, creating pressure, irritation, and inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;993&quot; data-end=&quot;1079&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Think of it like a clogged pipe&amp;mdash;once the flow is blocked, everything backs up quickly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;993&quot; data-end=&quot;1079&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1drgbww&quot; data-start=&quot;1086&quot; data-end=&quot;1118&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common symptoms to watch for&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1120&quot; data-end=&quot;1223&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cholecystitis often makes itself known with &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1164&quot; data-end=&quot;1197&quot;&gt;pain and digestive discomfort&lt;/strong&gt;, especially after eating.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1225&quot; data-end=&quot;1250&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Typical symptoms include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1254&quot; data-end=&quot;1309&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1254&quot; data-end=&quot;1295&quot;&gt;Sharp pain in the upper right abdomen&lt;/strong&gt; (or center)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1312&quot; data-end=&quot;1368&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pain that may spread to the &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1340&quot; data-end=&quot;1366&quot;&gt;right shoulder or back&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1371&quot; data-end=&quot;1411&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1371&quot; data-end=&quot;1385&quot;&gt;Tenderness&lt;/strong&gt; when touching the belly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1414&quot; data-end=&quot;1439&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1414&quot; data-end=&quot;1437&quot;&gt;Nausea and vomiting&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1442&quot; data-end=&quot;1453&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1442&quot; data-end=&quot;1451&quot;&gt;Fever&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1456&quot; data-end=&quot;1522&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Feeling unwell or fatigued&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1wtdagd&quot; data-start=&quot;1524&quot; data-end=&quot;1556&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A pattern many people notice&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1558&quot; data-end=&quot;1747&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms often appear &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1580&quot; data-end=&quot;1611&quot;&gt;after a large or fatty meal&lt;/strong&gt;, because your gallbladder tries to release more bile&amp;mdash;and struggles if something is blocking it.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some people describe it as a sudden &amp;ldquo;attack&amp;rdquo; of pain that builds up and becomes quite intense.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1749&quot; data-end=&quot;1843&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;9k17nj&quot; data-start=&quot;1850&quot; data-end=&quot;1874&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Other possible signs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1876&quot; data-end=&quot;1930&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;As bile flow becomes disrupted, you might also notice:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1934&quot; data-end=&quot;1970&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1934&quot; data-end=&quot;1968&quot;&gt;Bloating or abdominal fullness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1973&quot; data-end=&quot;1995&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1973&quot; data-end=&quot;1993&quot;&gt;Loss of appetite&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1998&quot; data-end=&quot;2058&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1998&quot; data-end=&quot;2042&quot;&gt;Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)&lt;/strong&gt; in some cases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2061&quot; data-end=&quot;2132&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Changes in stool or urine color&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;hhybkr&quot; data-start=&quot;2139&quot; data-end=&quot;2174&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When symptoms feel more serious&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2176&quot; data-end=&quot;2276&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If the inflammation worsens or infection develops, symptoms can become stronger and more persistent.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2278&quot; data-end=&quot;2308&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Seek medical care urgently if:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2312&quot; data-end=&quot;2348&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pain is severe and doesn&amp;rsquo;t go away&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2351&quot; data-end=&quot;2374&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;You have a high fever&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2377&quot; data-end=&quot;2467&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;You can&amp;rsquo;t get comfortable or sit still due to pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;zrwb2v&quot; data-start=&quot;2474&quot; data-end=&quot;2494&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A quick takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2498&quot; data-end=&quot;2544&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It often starts with a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2521&quot; data-end=&quot;2542&quot;&gt;blocked bile flow&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2547&quot; data-end=&quot;2590&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pain is usually the &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2567&quot; data-end=&quot;2588&quot;&gt;main warning sign&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2593&quot; data-end=&quot;2632&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms commonly appear after eating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2635&quot; data-end=&quot;2676&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s treatable&amp;mdash;but shouldn&amp;rsquo;t be ignored&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;b94f8g&quot; data-start=&quot;2728&quot; data-end=&quot;2754&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Causes It?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2756&quot; data-end=&quot;2787&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Now let&amp;rsquo;s break down the &amp;ldquo;why.&amp;rdquo;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;At its core, cholecystitis happens when &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2829&quot; data-end=&quot;2869&quot;&gt;bile gets trapped in the gallbladder&lt;/strong&gt;, leading to irritation, swelling, and sometimes infection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2789&quot; data-end=&quot;2968&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1l57x5m&quot; data-start=&quot;2970&quot; data-end=&quot;3007&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The most common cause: gallstones&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3009&quot; data-end=&quot;3047&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The number one reason? &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3032&quot; data-end=&quot;3046&quot;&gt;Gallstones&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3049&quot; data-end=&quot;3238&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;These are small, solid particles that form from bile. When they block the cystic duct (the gallbladder&amp;rsquo;s exit pathway), bile can&amp;rsquo;t flow out properly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3240&quot; data-end=&quot;3254&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This leads to:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3258&quot; data-end=&quot;3276&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pressure buildup&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3279&quot; data-end=&quot;3293&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Inflammation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3296&quot; data-end=&quot;3316&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Possible infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;15qtc6l&quot; data-start=&quot;3323&quot; data-end=&quot;3348&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Other possible causes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3350&quot; data-end=&quot;3441&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;While gallstones are the most common trigger, other factors can also lead to cholecystitis:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3443&quot; data-end=&quot;3607&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3443&quot; data-end=&quot;3482&quot;&gt;Bile duct blockage (without stones)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3482&quot; data-end=&quot;3485&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Thickened bile (sometimes called &amp;ldquo;sludge&amp;rdquo;), scarring, or narrowing can block flow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3609&quot; data-end=&quot;3765&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3609&quot; data-end=&quot;3623&quot;&gt;Infections&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3623&quot; data-end=&quot;3626&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Certain infections&amp;mdash;especially in people with weakened immune systems&amp;mdash;can inflame the gallbladder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3767&quot; data-end=&quot;3887&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3767&quot; data-end=&quot;3777&quot;&gt;Tumors&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3777&quot; data-end=&quot;3780&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Growths in nearby organs can prevent bile from draining properly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3889&quot; data-end=&quot;4068&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3889&quot; data-end=&quot;3930&quot;&gt;Serious illness or reduced blood flow&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3930&quot; data-end=&quot;3933&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In critically ill patients, reduced blood supply to the gallbladder can lead to inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3889&quot; data-end=&quot;4068&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;3q829c&quot; data-start=&quot;4075&quot; data-end=&quot;4099&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who is more at risk?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4101&quot; data-end=&quot;4215&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some factors increase the likelihood of developing cholecystitis, especially because they&amp;rsquo;re linked to gallstones:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4219&quot; data-end=&quot;4237&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Being overweight&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4240&quot; data-end=&quot;4259&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rapid weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4262&quot; data-end=&quot;4272&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4275&quot; data-end=&quot;4293&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;High cholesterol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4296&quot; data-end=&quot;4352&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Increasing age&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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