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Contents
  • Understanding PBC: The Basics
  • Symptoms and Diagnosis
  • Treatment Options
  • Living with PBC

Primary Biliary Cholangitis: The Silent Liver Disease You Need to Know About

Primary Biliary Cholangitis: The Silent Liver Disease You Need to Know About

What's This About?

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease that can silently damage your bile ducts. Learn why early detection and treatment are crucial for managing this condition.
Contents
  • Understanding PBC: The Basics
  • Symptoms and Diagnosis
  • Treatment Options
  • Living with PBC

Understanding PBC: The Basics

PBC is an autoimmune disease where your body mistakenly attacks the small bile ducts in your liver. This leads to bile buildup, which can cause liver damage over time. Think of it like a traffic jam in your liver's plumbing system, slowly causing problems if left unchecked.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

PBC often has no early symptoms, which is why it's called a 'silent' disease. When symptoms do appear, they may include fatigue, itchy skin, and dry eyes or mouth. Doctors diagnose PBC through blood tests and sometimes liver biopsies. Early diagnosis is key to starting treatment and slowing disease progression.
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease where the body's immune system attacks bile ducts, leading to bile buildup and liver damage.

Treatment Options

The main treatment for PBC is a medication called ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). It's like a plumber for your liver, helping to improve bile flow. For some patients, additional medications may be needed if UDCA alone isn't enough. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol, can also help manage the disease.

Living with PBC

While PBC is a chronic condition, many people with proper treatment can lead normal lives. Regular check-ups and blood tests are important to monitor the disease. Some patients may eventually need a liver transplant, but early treatment can delay or prevent this need in many cases.

FAQs

Is PBC curable?

PBC isn't curable, but it's often manageable with treatment.

Who's at risk for PBC?

PBC mainly affects women over 40, but anyone can develop it.

Can PBC be prevented?

There's no known way to prevent PBC, but early detection helps.

How often should I see my doctor?

Most PBC patients need check-ups every 3-6 months.

Can I drink alcohol with PBC?

It's best to avoid alcohol if you have PBC.

The Bottom Line

While PBC is a serious condition, early diagnosis and proper treatment can significantly improve your quality of life and long-term outlook.
Concerned about PBC? Talk to Doctronic, your AI doctor, to learn more about symptoms, risk factors, and when to see a doctor.
Additional References
  1. Lindor KD, et al. Primary Biliary Cholangitis: 2018 Practice Guidance from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology 2019; 69:394.
  2. European Association for the Study of the Liver. EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines: The diagnosis and management of patients with primary biliary cholangitis. J Hepatol 2017; 67:145.
  3. Lammers WJ, et al. Levels of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin are surrogate end points of outcomes of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis: an international follow-up study. Gastroenterology 2014; 147:1338.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.