Can Cholelithiasis Cause Cholecystitis?

Cholelithiasis occurs when gallstones develop. If these gallstones block the bile duct, bile can build up in the gallbladder causing inflammation called cholecystitis.

Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis both affect your gallbladder. Cholelithiasis occurs when gallstones develop. If these gallstones block the bile duct from the gallbladder to the small intestine, bile can build up in the gallbladder and cause inflammation. This inflammation is called cholecystitis.

Gallstones are common for many people who live in the United States.

Cholelithiasis 

Cholelithiasis occurs when calculi, or gallstones, develop. These are hard, pebble-like substances made of cholesterol and bilirubin.

Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver. It stores a fluid called bile that is produced by the liver and helps with digestion. When you eat, you need bile to help digest food.

Gallstones can get stuck in the bile duct and cause bile to build up, which may cause pain and other symptoms.

Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis develops when bile builds up in the gallbladder and causes pressure and infection. The most common cause is gallstones that block the duct, but it can occur for other reasons.

Signs and symptoms of cholelithiasis

Gallstones often have no symptoms and people are not aware that they have them. In these cases, you may be able to pass a gallstone without any symptoms. However, there are times that gallstones may block the duct and you may experience symptoms. 

Signs and symptoms of cholelithiasis include :

• Sudden, severe pain that develops in the upper right abdomen
• Pain that comes and goes
• Pain that radiates into the back or down the arm
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain that lasts for 12 hours to a couple of days and then dissipates

Signs and symptoms of cholecystitis

Cholecystitis can be classified as acute or chronic. Acute cholecystitis comes on suddenly and chronic cholecystitis occurs repeatedly . 

Symptoms of cholecystitis include  :

• Severe, sudden pain in the upper right abdomen
• A sharp pain when pressing on the area
• Pain that becomes worse when you breathe in
• Pain that spreads to your back or right shoulder blade
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Stiff abdominal muscles 
• Belly bloating
• Yellowing skin and eyes called jaundice
• Dark urine
• Light-colored stool

Cholelithiasis can lead to cholecystitis. Gallstones may pass easily, but they may eventually lead to inflammation and infection in the gallbladder.

Causes of cholelithiasis

Gallstones develop because there is too much cholesterol in the bile and the excess forms stones. During pregnancy, the extra amount of estrogen can cause higher levels of cholesterol to form, which can lead to higher levels of gallbladder sludge. This sludge doesn’t flow well and can eventually turn into gallstones.

Certain conditions and risk factors may lead to developing gallstones. These include:  

• Being overweight 
• Being female
• Being over age 40
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Rapid weight loss
• Eating a Western diet
• Pregnancy
• Alcohol-related liver disease

Causes of cholecystitis

If gallstones block the bile duct, or other conditions cause the bile to stay trapped in the gallbladder, inflammation and infection can occur. Gallstones are the most common cause of cholecystitis.

Other conditions may cause cholecystitis, including :

• Bacteria infection in the bile ducts
• Tumors on the liver or pancreas
• Less blood flow to the bile ducts due to diabetes
• Major surgery
• Major illness, like serious injuries, burns, or sepsis
• Lupus
• Blood vessel inflammation called vasculitis
• Previous attacks of gallstones
• Damage to the gallbladder

Your doctor will examine you to determine whether you have gallstones or cholecystitis.

Diagnosis for cholelithiasis

Your doctor will do an ultrasound or imaging test like an X-Ray or a computed tomography (CT) scan of your belly. This will help your doctor see the gallstones and sludge in your gallbladder and diagnose cholelithiasis.

They may also do blood tests to check for liver function and to see if you have signs of infection.

Diagnosis for cholecystitis

Your doctor will perform similar tests for cholecystitis as with gallstones. They will physically examine you and check your abdomen, and they may order blood tests to check for liver function and infection. If you have a high white blood cell count, this indicates an infection .

They may also do imaging tests and ultrasounds to look for stones and sludge in your gallbladder.

Treatments may vary between cholelithiasis vs cholecystitis.

Treatments for cholelithiasis

Many people are able to pass gallstones without having symptoms or even being aware they have gallstones. However, those who have symptoms from gallstones usually have surgery as pain and further problems are more likely to happen again.

Treatments for cholelithiasis include:

• Keyhole gallbladder removal surgery
• Bile salts medication to dissolve stones

However, nonsurgical methods are rarely used for people who have severe pain and other symptoms. 

You can lower your risk for gallstones by maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy, nutritious diet.

Treatments for cholecystitis

In most cases, people with cholecystitis need to be hospitalized. You may receive a tube through the nose that enters the stomach. This will help to suction the stomach and keep it empty to reduce your symptoms.

While in the hospital, you may receive treatments for cholecystitis, including:

• Antibiotics
• Gallbladder removal surgery
• Intravenous pain medication 
• Bile salts medication to dissolve stones