Final answer:
Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder often caused by a blockage from gallstones, whereas cholelithiasis is the actual presence of gallstones. Cholelithiasis is more common and can lead to cholecystitis, which might necessitate gallbladder removal.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, leading to infection and inflammation. Cholelithiasis refers to the presence of gallstones within the gallbladder itself, which are solid particles formed from cholesterol and other constituents of bile. Gallstones can cause pain when they block the bile duct, leading to complications such as jaundice.
Gallstones are more common than cholecystitis. However, if left untreated, cholelithiasis can lead to cholecystitis, which may require surgical intervention such as a cholecystectomy. Postoperatively, patients like Roberta in the clinical focus may experience symptoms from complications or related infections.
Individuals without a gallbladder often face digestive difficulties with high-fat meals because bile, responsible for emulsifying fats, is not as concentrated. It is less coordinated with meal digestion since it's continuously secreted by the liver into the duodenum.
: Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder usually due to gallstones causing a blockage, while cholelithiasis is the formation of gallstones themselves. Cholelithiasis is more common, but it may lead to cholecystitis, which might require surgical removal of the gallbladder.