Cholangitis is a condition in which the bile ducts become inflamed, the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the intestines and gallbladder. This inflammation can cause swelling which eventually interferes with the circulatory system of bile, a fluid that the body needs to aid digestion. Disrupted bile circulation system can cause symptoms such as fever, nausea, and pain in the stomach.
It is better to treat cholangitis immediately. Cholangitis that is ignored and does not get proper treatment can lead to complications, such as kidney failure and even death.
Symptoms of Cholangitis
Symptoms that can be felt by patients with cholangitis are abdominal pain. Pain itself has character and can appear in different locations. Pain that arises will usually feel like cramping or stabbing.
In addition to pain, people with cholangitis may also experience other symptoms, such as:
- Fever.
- Nauseous.
- Throw up.
- Jaundice (jaundice).
Causes of Cholangitis
Inflammation of the bile ducts experienced by people with cholangitis can be caused by many factors, but the most common is a bacterial infection.
Some other factors that can cause cholangitis include:
- Blood clots.
- Tumor.
- Parasitic infection.
- Swelling of the pancreas.
- Side effects of medical procedures, such as endoscopy.
- Infection of the blood (bacteremia).
A person will be at a higher risk of suffering from cholangitis if they are over 55 years old or have a history of gallstones.
Cholangitis Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with a thorough examination of the patient's symptoms, medical history, and condition. After that, a series of tests can be done to confirm the condition. Some of the tests used include:
- Blood test.
- Ultrasound (USG).
- MRI or CT scan.
In addition to the three tests above, there are also other methods commonly used to diagnose cholangitis, namely: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTCA). ERCP is a combination of X-ray imaging and endoscopic procedures, and PTCA is X-ray imaging assisted by the injection of a contrast dye directly into the bile ducts.
Cholangitis Treatment
Treatment of cholangitis in each person is different, according to the underlying cause. If cholangitis is caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. Some of the antibiotics commonly used to treat cholangitis include:
- Ampicillin.
- piperacillin.
- Metronidazole.
- Quinolones, such as cipofloxacin and levofloxacin.
Cholangitis Complications
Cholangitis that does not get treatment properly has the potential to cause other diseases and even death. Some complications that can occur in people with cholangitis include:
- Liver abscess.
- Recurrence of cholangitis and lasts a long time.
- Kidney failure.
