How to Check for Cholecystitis and Is Fasting Required

Cholecystitis diagnosis typically involves imaging tests, with abdominal ultrasound being the most common. Before undergoing an abdominal ultrasound, patients are usually required to fast. The purpose of fasting is to prevent food from stimulating the gallbladder to contract, which could affect the clarity of the gallbladder's appearance during the exam. Therefore, to accurately diagnose cholecystitis, doctors rely on both clinical symptoms and imaging results, and fasting is often recommended prior to the examination.

Blood tests may also be used to assess the presence and severity of inflammation. These can include a complete blood count (CBC) and liver and kidney function tests. Fasting is generally advised for these blood tests as well, to ensure more accurate results.

There are two main types of cholecystitis: acute and chronic. Acute cholecystitis often presents with sudden, severe pain in the upper right abdomen, accompanied by fever and other noticeable symptoms. An abdominal ultrasound in such cases may reveal gallbladder enlargement, surrounding fluid buildup, or gallstones.

On the other hand, chronic cholecystitis tends to have less obvious symptoms. Patients may experience bloating, indigestion, or mild upper abdominal discomfort, which can be easily mistaken for other gastrointestinal issues. However, imaging tests may show gallstones, gallbladder thickening, or changes in gallbladder size. This highlights the importance of proper diagnostic evaluation to distinguish cholecystitis from similar digestive conditions.