Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a complex condition of the liver that involves damage to the bile ducts that help transport bile from the liver to your small intestine. When the condition develops, inflammation and scarring makes the bile ducts hard and narrow, making it harder for bile to flow out of the liver. Eventually, the inability to successfully move bile out of the liver as needed can lead to problems like infections, tumors or even liver failure. Below, we take a closer look at why the condition develops and how it is diagnosed and treated.
Causes And Symptoms Of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Experts don’t know exactly what causes primary sclerosing cholangitis to develop, but they’ve identified a number of risk factors that could make a person more likely to suffer from the condition. Risk factors include:
- Male sex
- Having an inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
- Immune system deficiencies
- Family history of liver issues
Symptoms of PSC include:
- Fatigue
- Dry, itchy skin
- Abdominal pain
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Fever
- Muscle weakness
If you are dealing with any of the above symptoms or you have a family history of liver disease and want to connect with a specialist, reach out to Dr. Bhatti for a consultation or a diagnosis.
Diagnosing And Treating Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is oftentimes diagnosed prior to significant symptoms. Blood tests or imaging tests taken of the abdominal region can spot the problem and lead to a confirmed diagnosis. You may not be experiencing any symptoms at the moment, and you may continue to feel good for years to come, because there’s no easy way to predict how the disease will progress. As it gets more severe, patients may experience weight loss, chills, night sweats or an enlarged liver.
There’s no way to reverse the damage done to your bile ducts, so treatment typically focuses on managing symptoms and slowing the progression of PSC. Medications can help to treat some symptoms, and dietary changes can help your body get the nutrients it needs while also avoiding extra strain on the liver. Bile duct dilation can help open some bile ducts to aid in the flow of bile out of the liver, but you can’t cure PSC with these types of treatments. The only known cure for primary sclerosing cholangitis is a liver transplant.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis can make life uncomfortable, but a gastrointestinal specialist can help you manage symptoms and attempt to slow the progression of the condition. For more information, or for help with your liver issue, reach out to Dr. Bhatti and the team at Bhatti GI Consultants today.