Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
It is the condition affecting the bile ducts causing it to be inflamed and have scar formation. The scar formation lead to the narrowing of ducts causing liver damage.
Symptoms
Symptoms include
- Fatigueblity
- Itching
- Pain in the upper right quadrant of abdomen
- High grade fever
- Chills
- Hepatomegaly
- Weight loss
- Sweating at night
- Jaundice
Cause
The exact cause of this condition is not known. However, it usually occur when a person already allergic to some trigger exposed to that toxin or allergen develop immune reaction against that. It sometimes occur with inflammatory bowel diseases. However, usually these two diseases don’t concurrently.
Complications
Complications of this condition are as follows:
- Liver disease and failure
- Increase frequency of repeated infections.
- Portal hypertension
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer of bile ducts
- Cancer of colon
Diagnosis
Following investigations and tests are done to diagnose the condition.
- Liver function test
- MRI of bile ducts
- X-ray of bile ducts
- Liver biopsy
Treatment
Treatment for this condition mainly aims for managing the condition and symptoms. Include:
- FOR ITCHING: Medications are prescribed for bile acid sequestration, antibiotics for repeated infections, antihistamines, opoid antagonist, Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).
- FOR INFECTIONS: a complete course of antibiotics are prescribed.
- FOR BILE DUCT BLOCKAGE: Different techniques are done to manage the blockage include; balloon dilation, stent placement.
- Liver transplantation surgery are also considered.
Home Remedies
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Make sure you are vaccinated against hepatitis A and B
- Maintain the weight according to BMI
- Be active and exercise regularly
- Get a stress management program
- Yoga