Inflammation and infection of the bile can interfere with the digestive process, especially the digestion of fat. Not only that, if not treated immediately, this condition can also lead to a number of serious complications, such as gallbladder tears, peritonitis, to blood infections or sepsis.
The gallbladder is a small organ located on the right side of the abdomen, just below the liver. In the gallbladder there is bile which contains cholesterol, bile acids or salts, bilirubin, water, and other substances, such as potassium, sodium, and copper.
The bile produced and released by the liver functions to aid digestion by breaking down fats into fatty acids. However, there are times when the function of the gallbladder is impaired due to inflammation or infection.
Causes of Bile Inflammation and Infection
Inflammation and infection of the bile is medically referred to as cholecystitis. This disease usually occurs when the flow of bile from the gallbladder to the intestine is blocked by gallstones.
Apart from gallstones, inflammation and infection of the bile can also be caused by other diseases or conditions, such as:
- Tumors in the pancreas or liver
- Reduced blood flow to the gallbladder
- Bacterial infections that attack the bile duct system
- Deposits in the gallbladder or the appearance of scar tissue in the bile ducts
Although rare, bile infections can also occur as a result of complications from other co-morbidities, such as diabetes or HIV.
Symptoms of Bile Inflammation and Infection
The main symptom of inflammation or infection of the bile is severe pain in the upper right abdomen and can radiate to the back or right shoulder. This pain can last for several hours and gets worse when you breathe in or when you press on your stomach.
Patients with gallbladder infections will usually feel pain in the gallbladder when eating large portions or eating oily foods. In addition, inflammation and infection of the bile can also cause other symptoms, such as:
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- A cold sweat
- Loss of appetite
- Yellow skin and eyes
- A bulge appears in the stomach
- Bloated
If you feel some of the symptoms above, you should immediately consult a doctor so that proper examination and treatment can be carried out.
To determine whether the symptoms that appear are caused by inflammation and infection of the bile or not, the doctor will perform a physical examination, blood tests, and scans using ultrasound and CT scans.
Bile Inflammation and Infection Treatment
If the results of the examination show that you have inflammation and infection of the bile, your doctor may recommend that you undergo treatment in the hospital. Several types of treatment can be done by the doctor to treat the bile infection you are suffering from, including:
Fasting and medication
You will be asked to fast for several days so that the condition of the inflamed and infected bile does not get worse. During fasting, the doctor will provide infusion therapy to meet your body's fluid needs.
In addition, the doctor will also give antibiotics through an IV and painkillers to relieve the pain you feel.
Operation rapture gall bladder
To treat severe inflammation and infection of the bile, the doctor will perform surgery to remove the gallbladder or cholecystectomy. This operation is usually also done to prevent the spread of bile infection.
Gallbladder removal surgery can be done through general surgery or laparoscopic surgery. The difference between the two techniques is in the length of the incision. The general surgical technique uses a larger incision, while the incision in the laparoscopic surgical technique is generally smaller.
If the bile infection is caused by gallstones, treatment may involve an endoscopic procedure to first remove the stone in the bile duct. After that, a new cholecystectomy procedure was performed.
You may experience some complaints, such as fever, pain, and flatulence, after the operation. To overcome these complaints, the doctor will give antibiotics and painkillers.
Hospitalization usually lasts for several days and you are only allowed to go home after the doctor confirms that your condition is stable and has improved. Your doctor will also advise you to follow a low-fat diet while you are recovering.
In order to avoid inflammation or infection of the bile, come on, apply a healthy lifestyle from now on. You do this by eating healthy and fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and maintaining an ideal body weight.
Don't forget to regularly check with your doctor, so that the function and health of the gallbladder can be monitored and treated quickly if the gallbladder becomes inflamed and infected.