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Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: MSB who wrote (62988)	11/14/1999 12:46:00 PM
From: Edwarda	Respond to of 108807

While you are waiting, I can tell you that the diagnostic procedure is nothing--blood tests and X-ray or ultrasound examination. The following, found in a quick search, may be use: CHOLECYSTITIS OR CHOLANGITIS What is It? * Infection or inflammation of the gallbladder, which collects and concentrates bile from the liver (cholecystitis). * Infection or inflammation of the ducts that drain bile from the liver to the gallbladder (cholangitis). * More common in women and some ethnic groups (North American Indians). Incidence increases with age. Causes * Unknown. * Postulated to be caused by inflammation or bacterial infection, with some degree of damage by gallstones or previous infection. Cholecystitis is associated with gallstones in 90% of cases. Signs and Symptoms 1. Severe cramping pain in the upper right of the abdomen. Pain may also occur in the chest (imitating a heart attack), in the upper back or the right shoulder. These symptoms frequently follow a meal rich in fats. 2. Tenderness in the upper abdomen. 3. Nausea and vomiting. 4. Slight fever. If high fever and chills occur, a bacterial infection may be present. 5. Jaundice (sometimes). 6. Pale stools (sometimes). 7. Skin itching (sometimes), from jaundice. Risk Factors 1. Gallstones. 2. Family history of gallbladder disease. 3. Diet that is high in fat and low in fiber. 4. Chronic or acute pancreatitis. 5. Obesity. 6. Rapid weight loss. 7. Diabetes or cirrhosis. 8. Oral contraceptives. 9. Female, middle age (40-50). 10. Female with previous gallstones who takes estrogens. Prevention Avoid risk factors when possible. Diagnosis and Treatment General Measures * Diagnostic test may include laboratory blood studies, X-rays of the gallbladder, ultrasound of the gallbladder and bile ducts, radioisotope studies of liver and pancreas. * Hospital admission usually necessary. * Specific treatment will depend on degree of severity, infection, size of stones, and your general health. * Nonsurgical treatment methods include: Medication to dissolve the stones or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy that will shatter stones. * Surgical treatment is usually a cholecystectomy done by laparoscopic technique or by laparotomy. Medication * Intravenous fluids. * Analgesics, including narcotics, to relieve pain may be prescribed. * Antibiotics may be prescribed in acute cases. Activity * Rest in bed until symptoms disappear or recovery from surgery is complete. While in bed, move your legs often to reduce the likelihood of deep-vein blood clotting. * Other limits on activity will be determined by treatment method. Diet * Because of nausea and vomiting, intravenous fluids are usually required during severe attacks. Clear liquids are started when nausea subsides. * Begin a low-fat diet as soon as you can tolerate solid foods. Possible Complications * Empyema and pus in gallbladder. * Gallbladder rupture and peritonitis, or abscess. * Hepatitis. * Choledocholithiasis (stones pass from gallbladder into common bile duct obstructing flow of bile). * Fistula formation - direct communication between gallbladder and stomach or intestines. Prognosis * Most episodes require hospitalization and treatment. * Recurrences are common. Attacks will cease with surgery to remove the gallbladder. * Symptoms of some mild attacks subside spontaneously in 1 to 4 days, if no complications develop. However complications are common. * Severe or recurrent cholecystitis is a definite indication for surgery.

To: MSB who wrote (62988)	11/14/1999 6:39:00 PM
From: CharleyMike	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

in addition to Edwarda'a research,here's a possibility, they told me they looked for clouds in your kidneys???(damn, they found 'em) if they decide to take it out, they poke three little holes in your abdomen, stick a laser in one, a viewing device in another, and a slurping suction device in the third; watching through one, they cauterize the thing loose with the laser, and suck it out through the third. Not tooooooooo bad. Oh yeah, general anesthesia. Did mine on Wednesday. Back to work Friday (only a couple of hours). Full scale desk job on Monday.