What is the primary biliary cirrhosis?

Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune disease of the liver characterized by slow degeneration of bile canals, small tubes that collect bile, in the liver. As the disease progresses, it results in cholestasis in which the bile in the liver is unable to flow into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine and the bile accumulates in the liver. The excess bile damages liver tissue, leading to cirrhosis or replacing healthy liver tissue scars and fibrous tissue.

The primary biliary cirrhosis affects about one of every three to four thousand people, with women affected about nine times more than men. There is a genetic predisposition, but the genetic basis of the disease is not fully understood. It is assumed that it is an autoimmune disorder caused by pathologically attacking enzymes of the body immune system normally produced by the liver, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Risk factors for the disease have not been identified and there is no known drug. There is a possible link between the primary billiardsCirrhosis and gluten sensitivity and disease often co -engage with other immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or Sjögreno syndrome.

symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis include jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes, fatigue, itching or itching of the skin and deposits of xantom or cholesterol in the skin. As cirrhosis is introduced, complications include ascity or fluid retention in the abdomen, expansion veins and esophageal and splenomegaly bleeding or spleen enlargement. In severe cases, liver encephalopathy may occur in which the patient experiences disorientation, irritability, coordination disorders, amnesia and possibly seizures and coma due to liver failure. Primary biliary cirrhosis can be diagnosed through blood tests that control signs of reduced liver function of a certain antibody, as well as ultrasound that may exclude bile ducts blocking as the cause of cholestasis.Biopsy determines the stage of the disease.

There are four possible phases of primary biliary cirrhosis. In phase 1, at the portal stage there is a certain inflammation of the liver portal vein, damage to the bile pipe and often immune activity. Stage 2, periportal phase, is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis or growth of fibrous tissue around the liver portal vein. Stage 3 or septal stage increases extensive growth of fibrous tissue and phase 4, biliary cirrhosis, is characterized by the presence of nodes, regenerative lumps that grow at the site of damaged tissue.

Although there is no remedy for primary biliary cirrhosis, medicines such as Ursodiol, they can slow down the disease progression by reducing the accumulation of bile in the liver. Cholestyramine was engaged in the affectionate by helping the body to eliminate bile acids so that they did not open the bloodstream. Pacists with primary biliary cirrhosis are recommended to use multivitamins and calcium supplements and refrain from alcohol.