Going about your day with aches and pains could just be a sign you’re getting older. In fact, nearly a third of over 40s (31 per cent) say it restricts them in their day to day life....CONTINUE READING
However, there are some pains you should never ignore, as they could be a sign of something far more serious. One such pain is an achy shoulder, which is usually nothing to worry about.
It could be the result of sleeping on a weird angle or exercising too much, the NHS says. But in some cases it can be a sign of a serious gallbladder condition.
Acute cholecystitis starts as a sudden, sharp pain in the upper right side of your abdomen before spreading to your right shoulder. The condition happens when a digestive juice, bile, gets trapped in the gallbladder.
Most cases see lumps of solid material- gallstones – block a tube that drains the bile, causing a build up. It can cause irritation and pressure, before leading to infection.
Acute cholecystitis is potentially serious because of the risk of complications, including sepsis and death. It usually needs to be treated in hospital with rest, intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
Removing the gallbladder may be recommended at some point after initial treatment to prevent acute cholecystitis coming back.
Some people may additional symptoms, such as:
The NHS advises you should seek medical advice if you develop sudden and severe abdominal pain, particularly if the pain lasts longer than a few hours or you have other symptoms, such as jaundice and a fever. If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
It’s not always possible to prevent acute cholecystitis, but you can reduce your risk of developing the condition by cutting your risk of gallstones.
One of the main steps you can take to help lower your chances of developing gallstones is adopting a healthy, balanced diet and reducing the number of high-cholesterol foods you eat, as cholesterol is thought to contribute to the formation of gallstones.
Being overweight, particularly being obese, also increases your risk of developing gallstones. You should therefore control your weight by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
However, low-calorie, rapid weight loss diets should be avoided, because there is evidence they can disrupt your bile chemistry and actually increase your risk of developing gallstones. A more gradual weight loss plan is best..<<CONTINUE READING>>
