Health's Book

Definition

Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain.
See also: Chronic cholecystitis

Symptoms

The main symptom is abdominal pain that is located on the upper right side or upper middle of the abdomen. The pain may:

• Be sharp, cramping, or dull
• Come and go
• Spread to the back or below the right shoulder blade
• Occur within minutes of a meal

Other symptoms that may occur include:

• Abdominal fullness
• Clay-colored stools
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)