Ask An Expert: Chronic Cholecystitis

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Ask An Expert: Chronic Cholecystitis

Question:

Can chronic cholecystitis cause weight gain and bloating?

Answer:

The term "chronic cholecystitis" generally refers to microscopic inflammation in the wall of the gallbladder. These changes occur as a consequence of irritation and low-grade infection caused by gallstones inside the gallbladder. People with chronic cholecystitis often don't have the usual pain pattern seen with gallstones. Also, the condition may not be associated with weight gain or bloating, two common symptoms related to gallstones.

The most common symptom of gallbladder disease is biliary pain, also called biliary colic. The pain occurs when gallstones move out of the gallbladder and get trapped in the duct leading out of the gallbladder. The duct is the channel that empties bile after a meal to help digest the food that has been eaten. When stones get stuck in the duct, bile backs up under pressure, as the gallbladder squeezes to try to empty its contents. Biliary pain is most apt to occur an hour or so after eating a rich meal.

Answer:

The term "chronic cholecystitis" generally refers to microscopic inflammation in the wall of the gallbladder. These changes occur as a consequence of irritation and low-grade infection caused by gallstones inside the gallbladder. People with chronic cholecystitis often don't have the usual pain pattern seen with gallstones. Also, the condition may not be associated with weight gain or bloating, two common symptoms related to gallstones.

The most common symptom of gallbladder disease is biliary pain, also called biliary colic. The pain occurs when gallstones move out of the gallbladder and get trapped in the duct leading out of the gallbladder. The duct is the channel that empties bile after a meal to help digest the food that has been eaten. When stones get stuck in the duct, bile backs up under pressure, as the gallbladder squeezes to try to empty its contents. Biliary pain is most apt to occur an hour or so after eating a rich meal.

Question:

Can chronic cholecystitis cause weight gain and bloating?

Answer:

The term "chronic cholecystitis" generally refers to microscopic inflammation in the wall of the gallbladder. These changes occur as a consequence of irritation and low-grade infection caused by gallstones inside the gallbladder. People with chronic cholecystitis often don't have the usual pain pattern seen with gallstones. Also, the condition may not be associated with weight gain or bloating, two common symptoms related to gallstones.

The most common symptom of gallbladder disease is biliary pain, also called biliary colic. The pain occurs when gallstones move out of the gallbladder and get trapped in the duct leading out of the gallbladder. The duct is the channel that empties bile after a meal to help digest the food that has been eaten. When stones get stuck in the duct, bile backs up under pressure, as the gallbladder squeezes to try to empty its contents. Biliary pain is most apt to occur an hour or so after eating a rich meal.

Stephen Goldfinger, M.D., is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is a graduate of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and his clinical base is at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Last updated:	April 02, 2007
Reviewed By:	Ferguson, Monica O. M.D.