What does cholecystitis mean and how is it treated?

Cholecystitis means inflammation of the gallbladder. The term breaks into chole meaning bile, cyst meaning sac or bladder, and itis meaning inflammation. Most cases are caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, leading to bile accumulation, pressure buildup, and inflammation. Symptoms include severe right upper quadrant pain especially after fatty meals, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Treatment for acute cholecystitis is usually cholecystectomy, meaning surgical removal of the gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard approach.