Primary Biliary Cirrhosis - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Primary biliary cirrhosis is also called primary biliary cholangitis. It is a chronic disease, in which the bile duct present in the liver, that is, the bile ducts, starts getting destroyed gradually. If it is not treated in time, it can take the form of liver failure. Its symptoms include pain in bones and joints, always feeling tired, itchy skin, and dryness of eyes and mouth. At the same time, it is not yet clear why primary biliary cirrhosis occurs.

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Today in this article you will learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis -

Symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis
Causes of primary biliary cirrhosis
Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis
Takeaway

Doctors for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis

More than half of people with primary biliary cirrhosis do not have any symptoms. This disease is detected only through a blood test. It takes 5 to 20 years for symptoms to develop. However, there are some common symptoms, which include pain in bones and joints, always feeling tired, and itching in the skin. Come, let us know about the symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis -

Bones and joint pain
Feeling tired all the time
Itchy skin
Dry eyes and mouth
Upper right abdominal pain
Swollen spleen
Foot and ankle swelling
Fluid build-up in the abdomen due to liver failure
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
Weakening of bones, risk of fractures
Diarrhea
Underactive thyroid
Weight loss

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Causes of primary biliary cirrhosis

The cause of primary biliary cirrhosis is not yet known clearly, but according to research, it is believed to be an autoimmune disease. In this, the body turns against its cells. Researchers believe that this autoimmune response is triggered by environmental and genetic factors.

Liver inflammation in primary biliary cirrhosis begins when certain types of white blood cells begin to accumulate in the liver. These white blood cells are also called T cells. Normally, these immune cells detect and attack bacteria and viruses, but in primary biliary cirrhosis, they mistakenly destroy healthy cells that line the small bile ducts of the liver.

Inflammation occurs in the small ducts and eventually damages other liver cells. As soon as the cells are destroyed, scar tissue i.e. fibrosis comes into their place, which leads to cirrhosis. In cirrhosis, the liver tissue gets damaged and as a result, the liver stops working properly.

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Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis

There is no cure for primary biliary cirrhosis, but with the help of some medicines, the process of becoming more serious can be slowed down. Come, let us know in detail about the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis -

Ursodeoxycholic acid

This medicine is also known as ursodiol. It helps in the removal of bile from the liver. It does not cure primary biliary cirrhosis, but improves liver function and slows down the process of liver damage. Its disadvantages include weight gain, hair loss, and diarrhea.

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Obeticholic acid

According to research, when this medicine is consumed alone or along with Ursodiol continuously for 12 months, it can slow down liver fibrosis by improving liver function. Its side effect can be itching.

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Fibrates

When this medicine is taken with Ursodiol, it can reduce liver inflammation and itching.

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Budesonide

Taking this drug along with Ursodiol may provide benefits, but it may bring steroid-related side effects.

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Liver transplant

When medicines do not work at all and liver failure starts, then the help of a liver transplant is taken for a long life. In a liver transplant, the diseased liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a donor, but in some cases, there is a possibility of the disease returning many years after the transplant.

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Diet and exercise for fatigue

There is a possibility of fatigue due to primary biliary cirrhosis, to overcome this, diet and exercise prescribed by the doctor can help.

Medicines for itching

Medicines like an antihistamine, cholestyramine, rifampin, sertraline, and opioid antagonists can help to relieve itching in the skin.

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Takeaway

Primary biliary cirrhosis is a liver disease in which the condition worsens over time. Its symptoms include pain in the bones and joints, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, and dryness of the eyes and mouth. Nothing is clear about its cause, but according to research, it is an auto-immune disease. For the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, along with giving medicines based on symptoms, the doctor also advises the use of medicines like fibrates, ursodeoxycholic acid, and budesonide. When the liver stops working, it is asked to get a liver transplant done.