PRIMARY BILIARY CHOLANGITIS
Primary Biliary Cholangitis is a rare disease. It is an autoimmune disorder affecting the liver. The liver gets damaged slowly and progressively and cause built up of scars in the liver.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Primary Biliary Cholangitis are not easily diagnosed. The disease progresses slowly over time and could get identified at later stages. The early symptoms are easily ignored. These symptoms include fever, itching and dryness in mouth and eyes. The symptoms of an advanced disease include:
- Pain in the right upper abdomen
- Swelling of the spleen
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Swollen feet and ankles due to fluid built up
- Jaundice
- Hyperpigmentation
- Unintended weight loss
- Osteoporosis
- Buildup of fluid in the abdomen due to liver failure (ascites)
Causes and Risk Factors
The main cause of Primary Biliary Cholangitis is not known. It is related to having an autoimmune disorder causing damage to liver. The common risk factors include:
- Having a family history of the disease could increase the risk
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis majorly affects women.
- The disease occurs in people in the age group of 30 to 60
Treatment
There’s no specific cure for Primary Biliary Cholangitis. The treatment provided aims to reduce the symptoms and provide relief. The medication is targeted at the specific symptoms and work to slow the progression of the disease and mainly prevent complications. For example medications may be recommended to cure the itching of the skin and to improve eye and mouth dryness.
Diet and lifestyle changes are important to follow in such conditions. A regular monitoring and examination at regular intervals is often recommended by the doctors. An early diagnosis and management helps in preventing complications to a great extent.