What are the symptoms of cholecystitis?

What are the symptoms of cholecystitis?

Symptoms can be acute or chronic.

Acute cholecystitis comes on suddenly and causes severe, ongoing pain. More than 95% of people with acute cholecystitis have gallstones. Pain begins in your mid to upper right abdomen and may spread to your right shoulder blade or back. Pain is strongest 15 to 20 minutes after eating and it continues. Pain that remains severe is considered a medical emergency.

Chronic cholecystitis means you’ve had repeated attacks of inflammation and pain. Pain tends to be less severe and doesn’t last as long as acute cholecystitis. The repeated attacks are usually caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct intermittently.

Other signs and symptoms of cholecystitis may include:

• Tenderness in your abdomen when it's touched.
• Nausea and bloating.
• Vomiting.
• Fever above 100.4 F (38 C). Fever may not be present in older adults and usually doesn’t occur in people with chronic cholecystitis.
• Chills.
• Abdominal pain that gets worse when taking a deep breath.
• Abdominal pain and cramping after eating – especially fatty foods.
• Jaundice (a yellowing of skin and eyes).