Definition & Meaning of "ascending cholangitis"

What is "ascending cholangitis"?

Ascending cholangitis is a serious infection of the bile ducts, which are tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestines. It usually occurs due to a blockage in the bile ducts. Symptoms of ascending cholangitis include fever, chills, abdominal pain, jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and eyes, nausea, and vomiting. Quick medical attention is necessary to treat ascending cholangitis, typically with antibiotics to fight the infection and procedures to remove the blockage in the bile ducts. Without treatment, ascending cholangitis can lead to serious complications such as liver damage or even death.