Primary biliary cirrhosis: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment

Both the primary biliary cirrhosis as the one named as secondary biliary cirrhosis they are characterized by being a autoimmune liver disease that usually appears in middle-aged people. In fact, it is a liver diseasemore, although it enters into those known as autoimmune. It is intimately related to the cholangitis sclerosis, since it is linked to a decrease in the production of bile.

It should be noted that this is a very important component of our body that is responsible for transporting all the nutrients necessary for proper functioning of the body. It affects especially one in three thousand people and today the exact causes by which biliary cirrhosis may appear are still unknown.

However, it has been concluded that it may be due to a series of genetic and environmental factors that cause the lymphocytes to attack the bile ducts, causing their progressive destruction.

In this way, the patient will store all kinds of toxic substances and bacteria that in the long run can cause a multitude of liver deficiencies. It has also been speculated that biliary cirrhosis can be produced by a series of viral agents, which can already be treated with all types of antibiotics and drugs that have yielded highly positive results.

What is primary biliary cirrhosis?

The primary biliary cirrhosis, as well  known medically as CBP, consists of a chronic inflammatory disease of the liver, which is characterized mainly by having a rather slow evolution.

It is named in this way because the lesion begins not due to the obstruction of the extrahepatic ducts due to the presence of Gallstones, but because it starts in the intrahepatic bile ducts.

Precisely, as the lesion progresses, the liver tends to suffer a constant process of fibrous scarring. However, In most cases, people with primary biliary cirrhosis present only mild fibrosis, and not a cirrhosis In herself.

It is, as we indicated at the beginning, of a autoimmune disease, which means that the body's immune system tends to attack the different cells that line the inside of the small bile ducts, causing inflammation around them.

What are the symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis?

Once we have known in depth how biliary cirrhosis behaves and some of the causes why it may appear, we will now detail what its symptoms may be:

  • Fatigue sensation This disease will cause sooner or later a great discomfort accompanied by a feeling of fatigue after eating any food. This situation can then be translated into pictures of vomiting and nausea.
  • Elevated bilirubinBiliary cirrhosis will cause the bilirubin It is triggered, creating a clear case of jaundice or yellowing of the eyes, skin and pallor in the stool.
  • Itching due to many areas of the skin. In these cases it is best to go to a dermatologist to put a specialized treatment.
  • Dryness in the mouth and eyes. Also called Sjögren syndrome, a problem characterized by a lack of saliva segregation.
  • Abdominal pain. It is also possible that around 20% of patients also suffer from severe pain in the upper abdomen.
  • Emergence of autoimmune diseases. As for example hypothyroidism, a condition that is very frequent in those patients who suffer an advanced stage of this cirrhosis.
  • In the most severe cases, it is also possible that a clear case of multiple osteoporosis, a disease characterized by the loss of density in the bones, may appear.

What treatment is there for biliary cirrhosis?

The treatment that exists for primary biliary cirrhosis is usually of a strong pharmacological nature so that the swelling of the bile ducts will gradually subside. In this way, the destruction of the liver cells is stopped.

Although for this, we must go to our doctor to do a preliminary analysis and prescribe the medication that best suits us. For these cases, ursodeoxycholic acid is also usually administered to stop the deterioration of the liver.

If the case goes higher, in many cases there will be no choice but to perform a liver transplant. It is possible that after this operation the cirrhosis, but it will not become such a serious condition anymore.

From there, it is highly advisable to completely reduce alcohol consumption if the first symptoms of this biliary cirrhosis begin to appear.And then accompany this process with a healthy and balanced diet. Especially in all types of vitamins such as A, D, E that can be taken orally through a multitude of foods.

What is the evolution of primary biliary cirrhosis?

As we indicated, Primary biliary cirrhosis is a disease that evolves slowly. This allows that, today, most of the medical diagnoses are carried out in the initial phases of the disease, so that for most people with CBP the prognosis is usually good.

However, a small proportion of patients may need a liver transplant or different complications derived from the liver failure. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesLiver Gallbladder

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