Question 1

what are the symptoms of sclerosing cholangitis ?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue, etc.: Most people with sclerosing cholangitis are diagnosed based on routine laboratory abnormalities, often without any symptoms.  As liver dysfunction progresses, common symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, itching, diarrhea, and (fat-soluble) vitamin deficiency.

Question 2

what is the definition or description of: sclerosing cholangitis?

Accepted Answer

PSC: Sclerosing cholangitis is a condition that affects the bile ducts and causes strictures. Most patients also have ulcerative colitis. Surgery and even liver transplant may be required to treat the disease.

Question 3

what are all the long-term complications of sclerosing cholangitis ?

Accepted Answer

Liver Failure: Psc (primary sclerosing cholangitis) is a progressive liver disorder that inevitably leads to liver failure.  Affected people are potential candidates for liver transplantation, provided that there is no associated cancer present.

Question 4

will sclerosing cholangitis kill me?

Accepted Answer

SC is serious stuff: Acute attacks of cholangitis may be complicated by bacterial infection of  bloodstream with shock & abscesses; rupture of pus-filled bile ducts into the abdomen or fistulizing to GI tract, abdominal wall, or heart sac: clotting of the portal vein; or bleeding from the bile duct.  Acute pancreatitis occurs in 10% of patients with relapsing disease, & there can be increased risk of bile duct cancer.

Question 5

is primary sclerosing cholangitis rare?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The goal of managing acute attacks is antibiotics and IV fluids.  In about 15%, emergency decompression or surgery  is needed.  Prevention of future attacks of cholangitis is based on removing biliary stones and debris, dilation or resection of strictures, and establishing optimal biliary drainage.  Also important to rule out the clonorchis parasite.  Your GI doctor can discuss newest treatments.

Question 6

how can i treat primary sclerosing cholangitis?

Accepted Answer

Difficult problem: Psc: autoimmune swelling/scarring of bile ducts within and outside the liver; often associated with infl. Bowel (usually ulc colitis). Increased risk for biliary ca. Med rx for itch, biochem abnormalities, e.g. Urso (bear bile), antihistamines, antibiotics for infections, vitamin supllements for deficiencies. Ercp procedure may open some strictures (narrowing). Ultimately, may need liver transpla.

Question 7

primary sclerosing cholangitis - what is the inherited risk?

Accepted Answer

Very low: PSC is most commonly seen in patients with ulcerative colitis. Patients with PSC have 60-72% association with ulcerative colitis; low genetic and immunologic factors are attributed to PSC.

Question 8

does primary sclerosing cholangitis usually cause many symptoms?

Accepted Answer

It can.: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (= psc, inflammation of bile ducts) can give symptoms such as itching, pain in the right upper abdomen, fevers, chills, night sweats, and jaundice (yellow skin, yellow whites of the eyes).  Most people with this illness have ulcerative colitis, which has symptoms of its own (eg. Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain).  Many with psc eventually need liver transplant.

Question 9

any information and/or prognosis for primary sclerosing cholangitis , from which i am currently dying?

Accepted Answer

Liver transplant: Place yourself under the care of a Hepatologist and get on a transplant list ASAP. University hospitals are your best bet

Question 10

will primary sclerosing cholangitis kill me?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is a disease that slowly progresses and eventually without treatment leads to hepatic failure which has a very high mortality rate.

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Sclerosing cholangitis medication

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of sclerosing cholangitis ?

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What is the definition or description of: sclerosing cholangitis?

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What are all the long-term complications of sclerosing cholangitis ?

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Will sclerosing cholangitis kill me?

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Is primary sclerosing cholangitis rare?

A member asked:

How can i treat primary sclerosing cholangitis?

A member asked:

Primary sclerosing cholangitis - what is the inherited risk?

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Does primary sclerosing cholangitis usually cause many symptoms?

A member asked:

Any information and/or prognosis for primary sclerosing cholangitis , from which i am currently dying?

A member asked:

Will primary sclerosing cholangitis kill me?

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