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What else can I help you with?
Is Primary Biliary Cirrhosis a rare disease?
yes
What are the early symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis?
Itching is caused by a buildup of bile in the skin and fatigue are early symptoms.
How do you describe primary biliary cirrhosis?
Has many features to suggest that it is an autoimmune disease, the system that drains bile from the liver into the intestines is progressively destroyed, the liver becomes scarred, leading to cirrhosis.
Who is most likely to develop primary biliary cirrhosis?
Ninety percent of patients with this disease are women between the ages of 35 and 60.
Are eyes effected by primary biliary cirrhosis?
Possibly - One of the symptoms is Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), due to increased bilirubin in the blood.
How is primary biliary cirrhosis diagnosed?
Blood tests strongly suggest the correct diagnosis, but a liver biopsy is needed for confirmation. It is also usually necessary to x ray the biliary system to look for other causes of obstruction.
What is the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis?
In some patients, the disease destroys the liver in as little as five years. In others, it may lie dormant for a decade or more.
What are the causes of primary biliary cirrhosis?
A lack of vitamin metabolism (vitamins K, D, A, E) because of the absence of bile to assist in the absorption of nutrients from the intestines.
Is there a Link between gallbladder removal and primary biliary cirrhosis?
this is not an answer, but another person looking for that answer. I have a sister who had her gallbladder removed then years later developed PBC ,but her twin sister didnt have her gallbladder removed and doesnt have PBC
What is the treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis?
Ursodeoxycholic acid, a chemical that dissolves gall stones, provides substantial symptomatic relief. It is still unclear if it slows liver damage. Patients also do well with liver transplantation.
What are the later symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis?
Jaundice from the accumulation of bile and nutritional deficiencies-bruising from lack of vitamin K, bone pain from lack of vitamin D, night blindness from lack of vitamin A, and skin rashes, lack of vitamin E.
What does primary mean in medical terms?
Primary in medical terms often means not due to another condition. For instance, primary hypertension doesn't have another cause. Secondary hypertension might be caused by problems with the renal arteries or due to medication.
