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Cirrhosis makes it difficult for your liver to work and may lead to liver failure. Infections, such as a urinary tract infectionĪs liver damage worsens, primary biliary cholangitis can cause serious health problems, including:.Researchers think that genetic factors combined with certain environmental factors trigger primary biliary cholangitis. It's most common in people of northern European descent, but primary biliary cholangitis affects all races. You're more likely to get the condition if you have a family member who has or had it. It's most likely to occur in people 30 to 60 years old. Most people with primary biliary cholangitis are women. The following factors may increase your risk of primary biliary cholangitis: Cirrhosis is scarring of liver tissue that makes it difficult for your liver to work properly. As the cells die, they're replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis) that can lead to cirrhosis. Inflammation in the smallest ducts spreads and eventually damages other cells in the liver. But in primary biliary cholangitis, they mistakenly destroy the healthy cells lining the small bile ducts in the liver. Normally, these immune cells detect and help defend against germs, such as bacteria and viruses. The liver inflammation seen in primary biliary cholangitis starts when certain types of white blood cells called T cells (T lymphocytes) start to collect in the liver. Researchers believe this autoimmune response may be triggered by environmental and genetic factors. Many experts consider it an autoimmune disease in which the body turns against its own cells. It's not clear what causes primary biliary cholangitis. Diarrhea, which may include greasy stools (steatorrhea).Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis), which can lead to fractures.
#Liver fluke symptoms skin#
Darkening of the skin that's not related to sun exposure (hyperpigmentation).Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).Fatty deposits (xanthomas) on the skin around the eyes, eyelids or in the creases of the palms, soles, elbows or knees.Buildup of fluid in the abdomen due to liver failure (ascites).Bone, muscle or joint (musculoskeletal) pain.Those who do have symptoms at diagnosis typically have poorer outcomes. Symptoms eventually develop over the next 5 to 20 years. The disease may be diagnosed when blood tests are done for other reasons, such as routine testing. More than half the people with primary biliary cholangitis do not have any noticeable symptoms when diagnosed.
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