Do I Have Cholangitis?

Do you have pain in the upper right part of your abdomen?

Do you have back pain or pain below your shoulder blades?

Do you have dull pain or cramps in the upper right side?

Do you have sharp or dull pain in the middle of your abdomen?

Do you have fever and chills?

Do you have yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)?

Do you have nausea and vomiting?

Do you have clay-colored stools?

Do you have dark urine?

Do you have low blood pressure?

Do you feel lethargic or confused?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have cholangitis. Cholangitis is a type of liver disorder that refers to inflammation of the bile ducts. The bile ducts are the tubes that carry bile from the gallbladder and liver to a part of the small intestine called the duodenum. Bile is a yellow-brown to green fluid that plays an important role in the digestion and absorption of fat from the food you eat. It also helps your body to expel toxins and worn-out red blood cells. In most people, cholangitis is caused by a bacterial infection or blockage of the bile duct by gallstones.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have cholangitis. Cholangitis is an inflammation of the common bile duct due to obstruction of the duct by a gallstone that comes from the gallbladder, which interferes with the flow of bile from the liver to the small intestine. There are two types of cholangitis: acute, which occurs suddenly, and chronic, which develops gradually over time, causing symptoms over many years. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and can be different for each person. The symptoms of cholangitis are similar to many other disorders of the bile duct system, so the diagnosis procedure requires various tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have cholangitis. Cholangitis is an inflammation of the bile ducts characterized by fever, jaundice and abdominal pain. Cholangitis affects both men and women, and symptoms most commonly occur between the ages of 50 and 60. It is important to treat cholangitis immediately, because complications can occur that only make the condition worse. Treatment includes antibiotics to stop the infection in the bile duct. Many patients feel improvement soon after starting antibiotic therapy. An ERCP or some other surgical procedure can be performed to open strictures or remove stones that may have caused cholangitis.