Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: NIDDK
Article title: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: NIDDK
Main condition: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Conditions: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
In primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), the bile ducts inside and outside the liver become inflamed and scarred. As the scarring increases, the ducts become blocked. The ducts are important because they carry bile out of the liver. Bile is a liquid that helps break down fat in food. If the ducts are blocked, bile builds up in the liver and damages liver cells. Eventually, PSC can cause liver failure.
Researchers do not know what causes PSC. Among the theories under investigation are the possible role of bacteria, viruses, and immune system problems. PSC appears to be associated with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease.
The disease usually begins between ages 30 and 60 and is more common in men than women. PSC progresses slowly, so a person can have the disease for years before symptoms develop. The main symptoms are itching, fatigue, and jaundice, which causes yellowing of the eyes or skin. An infection in the bile ducts can cause chills and fever.
PSC is diagnosed through cholangiography, which involves injecting dye into the bile ducts and taking an x-ray. Treatment includes medication to relieve itching, antibiotics to treat infections, and vitamin supplements, as people with PSC are often deficient in vitamins A, D, and K. In some cases, surgery to open major blockages in the common bile duct is also necessary. Liver transplantation may be an option if the liver begins to fail.
More information is available from
American Liver Foundation
75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603
New York, NY
10038
Phone: 1-800-GO-LIVER (465-4837)
Email: info@liverfoundation.org
Internet:
http://www.liverfoundation.org/
Additional Information on Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse collects resource information on digestive diseases for the Combined Health Information Database (CHID). CHID is a database produced by health-related agencies of the Federal Government. This database provides titles, abstracts, and availability information for health information and health education resources.
To provide you with the most up-to-date resources, information specialists at the clearinghouse created an automatic search of CHID. To obtain this information you may view the results of the automatic search on Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.
Or, if you wish to perform your own search of the database, you may access the CHID Online web site and search CHID yourself.
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Email: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/tools/mail_nddic.htm
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1980, the clearinghouse provides information about digestive diseases to people with digestive disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. NDDIC answers inquiries; develops and distributes publications; and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about digestive diseases.
Publications produced by the clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts.
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NIH Publication No. 99-4626
Updated: February 2001
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