Overview
Gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis, usually happens when a gallstone blocks the outflow of bile, causing the gallbladder to become inflamed and infected. It brings steady, severe pain in the upper right belly, often after a fatty meal, with fever and nausea. Unlike a brief gallstone twinge, this pain does not settle and needs medical care, often antibiotics and removal of the gallbladder, because a badly infected gallbladder can burst.
Symptoms
- Steady, severe pain in the upper right belly
- Pain spreading to the right shoulder or back
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tenderness over the upper right belly, worse on breathing in
When to see a doctor
See a doctor urgently for steady severe upper-right belly pain with fever that does not settle within a few hours.
Emergency — call 108 or go to the nearest hospital
- Severe belly pain with high fever and chills, yellow skin, or a rigid tender abdomen — go to a hospital immediately
Causes
A gallstone blocking the gallbladder outlet, leading to inflammation and infection; less often, blockage without stones.