Overload
Cholangitis
Category: Illness or disabilities
Type
Involuntary
Introduction and description
Ascending cholangitis - also known as acute cholangitis or simply cholangitis, is an infection of the bile duct (cholangitis), usually caused by bacteria ascending from its junction with the duodenum (first part of the small intestine).
It tends to occur if the bile duct is already partially obstructed by gallstones.
Cholangitis can be life-threatening, and is regarded as a medical emergency. Characteristic symptoms include yellow discoloration of the skin or whites of the eyes, fever, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, low blood pressure and confusion - shock.
For more details, please follow the link to the section on Gall bladder disease.