The first opinion. Gallbladder inflammation is a typically female problem.

In fact. Everything is not so categorical. Women are really more likely to experience cholecystitis and gallstone disease. According to statistics, one of 3-4 women and only one of 6 men gallstones form at some stage of life. In this case, the likelihood of the appearance of sand and stones increases during pregnancy and when using hormonal preparations.

At risk are also people with obesity and diabetes. And also those who dramatically change their weight.

But in general, the older we get, the higher the chance of getting cholecystitis. This applies to absolutely all people – both women and men.

The second opinion. Gallbladder disease is greatly affected by lifestyle, nutrition, and stress.

In fact. Lifestyle, profession, daily routine do not affect the state of the gallbladder so much. Much more important is nutrition. And also – taking medications that are excreted along with bile. So, the phenomenon of cholecystitis can develop a few days after treatment with an antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral drug.

The role of stress and anxiety is also proven. They affect gallbladder contractions. Therefore, often an emotional breakdown or a long nervous period leads to the development of cholecystitis.

If the gall bladder is your weak spot, take light soothing during increased nerve stress.

The third opinion. Gallbladder inflammation is easily confused with other digestive diseases. It, like gastritis, worsens immediately after eating.

In fact. Yes, the gall bladder can make “surprises” and disguise itself as various ailments – inflammation of the stomach, pancreas, intestines. Distinguishing them yourself is not so easy. And the doctor during the examination will not be mistaken.

A hint for you may be the connection with eating: if heaviness under the ribs, bitterness and nausea appear after a fatty and fried meal – this is probably a gall bladder. If painful phenomena occur after acidic, spicy food – most likely, the stomach suffers. If there is no clear connection between malaise and food, a bowel problem may be suspected.

To clarify the diagnosis, you need to perform an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and take a blood test.

The fourth opinion. If the gall bladder is sick and inflamed, it means that there are already stones in it.

In fact. Not always. The presence of stones in the gallbladder is the main, but not the only cause of inflammation of this organ. There is also stoneless cholecystitis. It becomes inflamed during the reproduction of harmful bacteria.

Also, the gallbladder may suffer from other disorders. The most common of them is biliary dyskinesia. In this case, there is no inflammation, no stones. Only the mechanism for contracting the bile ducts is disturbed. They contract either too quickly and strongly, or too weakly and slowly. Both that and another leads to the incorrect allocation of bile and a change in its composition. And in the long run – to the formation of stones.

This problem can occur at any age, more often in people with a special structure of the gallbladder. It is also called the “constricted bubble.”

The fifth opinion. Weight loss contributes to the deposition of gallstones.

In fact. Not certainly in that way. It’s not the fault of losing weight as such, but the large intervals between meals. If a person eats too rarely, his digestive system is out of work. Bile stagnates, which ultimately leads to the appearance of sand and then stones.

Conversely, frequent and fractional nutrition provides regular contraction of the gallbladder. And the conditions for stagnation are not formed.

Therefore, losing weight with overweight is possible and necessary, but under the supervision of a doctor. It is optimal to take food in small portions 5-6 times a day at regular intervals.

In your diet should not be fatty meat, fried and smoked food, sweets and muffins. It is also worth limiting fatty dairy products. Whole grain products, dark leafy greens, vegetables, fish, and vegetable oils will be helpful.

Opinion six. Gallbladder inflammation is treated with antibiotics.

In fact. Yes, the first episode of stoneless cholecystitis is often treated with antibiotics and antispasmodics. But all the medicines are prescribed by the doctor after the examination. If there are stones in the gallbladder, this is a completely different situation.

It is also recommended to slightly limit the intake of food. This will allow the gall bladder to rest.

The course of treatment with an antibiotic will remove the inflammation in the gallbladder. But the treatment does not end there. To avoid repeated exacerbations, the doctor prescribes special drugs. They normalize the composition of bile, improve its outflow and prevent the formation of stones.

The seventh opinion. If biliary colic is overtaken, an antispasmodic must be taken to relieve it.

In fact. With a slight malaise of the gallbladder, self-administration of an antispasmodic is allowed. But not in the case of biliary colic! Severe pain in the right side can speak not only about acute cholecystitis. The movement of gallstones along the ducts is not excluded. If a stone gets stuck somewhere in its path, this can lead to dangerous complications.

Therefore, firstly, you need to call a doctor. And secondly, go to bed and refrain from eating before the doctor arrives.

Thirdly, you should not apply cold or heat to a sore spot. By heating with a heating pad, inflammation can be stimulated. And the effect of an ice bubble is useless at best. And at worst, it will lead to increased contraction of the bile ducts, which will only intensify the pain.

Opinion Eight. With the removal of the gallbladder, do not rush. This is a simple operation, and it can always be removed urgently, like an appendix for appendicitis.

In fact. Quite the contrary: with gallstone disease, surgery is much better to carry out in a planned manner. In this case, you are calmly examined, plan the place and time of its holding. No stress, all according to the scenario.

But an emergency operation is always “surprises”. No one knows where you will find a fatal attack requiring urgent intervention by a surgeon. Either in the village during a visit to relatives, or on a long-distance train, or on a trip abroad. No wonder summer residents and often traveling people with gallstone disease are recommended to planionally remove the problem bubble so as not to risk health and even life.

In emergency conditions, doctors do not have time for a sufficient examination of the patient. Yes, and techniques for removing the gallbladder in a large city and village can radically differ. This means that the healing and recovery periods will also be delayed.

Do not worry: even without a gall bladder, a person can continue to live normally and digest food. It is only necessary to observe a number of simple, but important rules.

Opinion Ninth. Even a gallbladder that is heavily clogged with stones can be removed without large incisions.

In fact. In good hospitals, this is the case. A modern gentle operation is carried out. With the help of a special apparatus – a laparoscope, the doctor penetrates into the abdominal cavity through small punctures in the abdomen. And then gently, under the control of the video camera, it removes the affected organ. After such an intervention, the cosmetic defect is minimal. A discharge from the hospital occurs after 2-3 days.

However, with a late call for help and the development of complications, the doctor is likely to choose a different tactic. A traditional abdominal operation may be needed here, i.e. a sufficiently large incision. The length of stay in the hospital is lengthened.