Chronic cholecystitis
Definition
Chronic cholecystitis is long-standing swelling and irritation of the gallbladder.
Alternative Names
Cholecystitis - chronic
Causes
Chronic cholecystitis is caused by repeated mild attacks of acute cholecystitis. This leads to thickening of the walls of the gallbladder. The gallbladder begins to shrink and eventually loses the ability to perform its function: concentrating and storing bile. Eating fatty foods may aggravate the symptoms of cholecystitis, because bile is needed to digest such foods.
The disease occurs more often in women than in men, and the incidence increases after the age of 40. Risk factors include the presence of gallstones and a history of acute cholecystitis.
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