Cholestatic Liver Diseases

The symptoms of cholestasis are similar to hepatitis, which is one of its causes. The following are the symptoms of cholestasis:

• Nausea
• Dark-coloured urine
• White or clay-coloured stool
• Itching
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Yellowing of skin and eyes
• Difficulty in the digestion of some foods (Read more: Indigestion treatment)

Causes of cholestasis based upon the age group affected are:

• Causes of cholestasis in infants and children
  • Genetic cause like zinc storage disorder
  • Mutation of a gene called cirrhn gene
  • Byler’s syndrome (a genetic autosomal recessive disorder)
• Causes of cholestasis in adults
  • Prescription drugs
  • Herbal treatments
  • Over-the-counter drugs

Causes of cholestasis based upon the location:

• Causes of intrahepatic cholestasis
  • Pregnancy
  • Tuberculosis
  • Alcoholic liver disease
  • Lymphoma
  • Bacterial abscess in the liver
  • Biliary cirrhosis (Read more: Liver cirrhosis symptoms)
  • Infections that have spread through the bloodstream
• Causes of extrahepatic cholestasis 
  • Cysts
  • Tumours of bile duct
  • Stones in the bile duct
  • Inflammation of pancreas (Read more: Pancreatitis treatment)
  • Tumour in the pancreas

The doctor will prescribe the following tests if you are suspected to have cholestasis:

• Liver function test: It will reveal increased levels of bile and serum alkaline phosphatase.
• Imaging tests to assess the liver are as follows:
  • MRI of abdomen
  • Ultrasound imaging of the abdomen
  • CT scan of your abdomen
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Treatment of cholestatic liver disease involves identification and treatment of the underlying cause of the condition. The treatments for cholestasis are as follows:

• Symptomatic treatment: Pruritus (desire to itch or scratch) is the most common symptom, which may later cause sleep disturbances and thus, needs to be managed. Anion exchange resin like cholestyramine is commonly prescribed for the treatment of pruritus. Antibiotics are the second line of treatment for pruritus.
• Specific treatment: Various antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy may be initiated depending upon the cause of the condition.

(Read more: Liver diseases types)