Question 1

is primary biliary cirrhosis hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Basically no: There's a pair of genes that carry the ability to develop the disease and these run in families, but it's not inherited like sickle cell, huntington's or some of the other familiar entities.  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/151640.php.

Question 2

what exactly is primary biliary cirrhosis?

Accepted Answer

Liver disease: Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune liver disease seen most commonly in women in the 4th to 5th decade of life.  It generally presents with unexplained itching and occasionally jaundice.  It is frequently found on routing screening liver tests which may show an elevated alkaline phosphotase.  Though not curable it is treatable and treatment slows the progression to cirrhosis.

Question 3

what can be done for  primary biliary cirrhosis?

Accepted Answer

Number of things: If caught early, there are medications, particularly ursodeoxycholic acid (actigall) which can slow it down.  Preventing and treating complications is also important, especially high pressure in the portal vein, which can be treated with beta blockers (inderal (propranolol) and others) and sometimes surgery. Itching, fatigue and other symptoms can be treated as well, but liver transplant is needed when severe.

Question 4

what can i expect if i have primary biliary cirrhosis?

Accepted Answer

Progressive ldisease: Usually fatigue, jaundice, itching and development of ascites or leg edema. You should also screen for development of liver cancer.

Question 5

has anyone survived primary biliary cirrhosis for long?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There are some new medications that have been effective for stopping the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis, particularly urso-
deoxycholic acid.  In addition, liver transplanation can be lifesaving, and patients can live normal lifespans after liver transplantation, although the need for anti- rejection drugs can affect the quality of life and cause complications which shorten life as well.

Question 6

how does one effectively treat primary biliary cirrhosis?

Accepted Answer

Not a great answer : Unfortunately, there is no cure. The autoimmune disorder destroys the liver over time. The treatments help to relieve the symptoms (ursodiol, anti-itching meds, anti-inflammatory meds, immune suppressing meds etc.) and if the disease progresses to final stages, liver transplant is the only really treatment.

Question 7

what is primary biliary cirrhosis (liver) like?

Accepted Answer

It's variable.: Depends on how long you have had it. Usually without symptoms early in the disesae. May be associated with itching, hypythyroidism, fatigue, osteoporosis and dry eyes.  Can progress to cirrhosis over time.  If you have pbc, you should talk with your doctor about what stage your disease is.

Question 8

what are early signs & symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis?

Accepted Answer

None: Early on primary biliary cirrhosis can be associated with little or no symptoms at all, just like many chronic liver diseases.  As the disease progresses, however, many people start experiencing chronic fatigue & weakness,  jaundice and itching (from bilirubin build up in skin), followed by complications of cirrhosis such as ascites & malnutrition.

Question 9

why do the sufferers of primary biliary-cirrhosis feel so tired all the time?

Accepted Answer

PBC = inflammation: Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, manifest by low but persistent liver damage.  This causes a variety of biochemical changes which manifest by fatigue.  Not all patients have fatigue, many patients are asymptomatic until the disease is advanced.  Cirrhosis is also associated with fatigue.

Question 10

how common are kayser fliescher rings in cholestasis and primary biliary cirrhosis, i have them, is it just as likely those two things as wilson's?

Accepted Answer

Whoa: You cannot self-diagnose Kayser-Fleischer rings. Several percent of young folks have arcus lipoides, and there are other things that mimic it. They're specific for Wilson's and usually show up late, the person being quite sick already. If you think you may have cholestasis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and/or Wilson's, get with a competent gastroenterologist -- the workups are tricky.

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Doctor answers about:

Primary biliary cirrhosis drugs

A member asked:

Is primary biliary cirrhosis hereditary?

A member asked:

What exactly is primary biliary cirrhosis?

A member asked:

What can be done for primary biliary cirrhosis?

A member asked:

What can i expect if i have primary biliary cirrhosis?

A member asked:

Has anyone survived primary biliary cirrhosis for long?

A member asked:

How does one effectively treat primary biliary cirrhosis?

A member asked:

What is primary biliary cirrhosis (liver) like?

A member asked:

What are early signs & symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis?

A member asked:

Why do the sufferers of primary biliary-cirrhosis feel so tired all the time?

A member asked:

How common are kayser fliescher rings in cholestasis and primary biliary cirrhosis, i have them, is it just as likely those two things as wilson's?

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