Gall Bladder Infection

What is Gall Bladder Infection?

Our gallbladder is an essential organ, even for its small pear size, of our body for it stores essential component bile. The liver produces the bile that is vital in fat digestion and the color of our excreta. When an infection arises, it is said to be quite difficult to bear and shall need to be surgically intervened. The importance of the gallbladder is somehow taken for granted that is why many are unaware that they have damaged this organ. The bile that is being stored in the gallbladder serves as an emulsifier of the fats, making it into a soluble solution, now viable for the body as our fuel. When we eat food rich in fats, the gallbladder is responsible in the release of the right amount of bile for the fat emulsification. The condition is also referred as acute cholecystitis.

Gall Bladder Infection Symptoms

The presenting symptoms of an infected gallbladder are the following:

• The pain felt may start at the back, in between the shoulder blades. The pain is sometimes restricted to the right shoulder. Abdomen is also described as tender and is greatly felt in the upper quadrant. The pain is more prominent when the person is coughing or when one moves. Sometimes slight movement can emit excruciating.
• Nausea and vomiting are sometimes in conjunction. Abdominal discomfort is usually experienced by a patient.
• Excessive burping is due to the infection causing gas formation.
• Indigestion and diarrhea are common manifestations of gallbladder infection.
• Fever is part of the inflammatory process making the person uncomfortable. The infectious process causes to have fever and may be accompanied by chills.
• Usually, the elderly people experience fatigue, abdominal discomfort such as vomiting and loss of appetite. Fever is not common to the age group.
• Jaundice is also expected. It is presented by yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eye.
• Alteration of the stool and urine color is a result of the lack of bile. Because of the infection, the person shall have a dark-colored urine while there stools are grayish in color.

Gall Bladder Infection Causes

The gallbladder infection is caused by various factors. Here are the causes of gallbladder infection:

Gallstones

The development infection can begin when gallstones accumulate the gallbladder.

Severe illness

Underlying conditions such as body infection or sepsis can cause for an infection of the gallbladder. Burns or critical injuries are included as one of the causes of infection.

Underlying viral infection

A viral infection such as this can be a root cause for infecting the gallbladder. A prolonged infection, with no treatment, would most probably end up affecting other organs of the body.

Post abdominal injury

A person may develop such condition if a major abdominal injury has not been done aseptically.

Immunocompromised

A person with a lowered immune system is indeed prone to such condition.

Gall Bladder Infection Treatment

One of the treatments for those affected of this condition is a new diet regimen. Below is the recommended diet for those suffering from gallbladder infection:

Bland diet

This diet contains food that are of help in making one feel stuffed. The food is also easy to eat and easy to digest. A bland diet provides certain foods that are not irritable to the gallbladder. Basically, bland diet provides tea, soups, broths, gelatin, and fruit and vegetable juices. Tofu, cooked vegetables, pudding and custard with lean meats are included in this diet.

Low-fat diet

A low-fat diet is truly recommended to patients for this can avoid worsening of the condition and in order to reduce gallbladder inflammation. It is understandable that fats are not easily digested because the function of the gallbladder is altered. When too much fat is ingested, without the help of the gallbladder, further irritation may occur and inflammation shall persist.

Brat diet

This diet is similar with bland diet. The diet stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. This makes bland diet more tolerable for it also provides minerals and vitamins.

Medical treatment is also essential in the process. If ever the condition is caused by the gallstone formations, treating it is a must. First thing to do is to find remedies for the gallstone. There are herbal remedies for this condition that is made available to the public. Surgical removal of the stones is also a choice. The removal of the gallstones is called cholecystectomy. After the surgical intervention, it is to expect that they no longer need to avoid fatty food. Gradual return to the diet is attained. But take note that a complication is possible and that is postcholecystectomy syndrome. Pain killers are provided to patient especially for those who suffer from severe pain. The drugs recommended are Demerol or ketorolac. Ketorolac shouldn’t be used on patients who are likely prone to nausea and vomiting.

It is to be expected that one will reach recovery period within a week’s time. As the condition continues to persist, contacting the doctor is important. We need to see if complications have arisen and must be evaluated accordingly.

Antibiotics for Gall bladder Infection

Antibiotics are included in the treatment regimen. Infection is treated with broad spectrum antibiotics such as piperacillin-tazobactam, ampicillin-sulbactam, ticarcillin-clavulanate or cephalosporin. It is recommended that those who are prone to allergies to take aztreonam or clindamycin. Make sure that when you are in your antibiotic therapy, strict compliance is a must to avoid drug resistance.