A 37-year-old member asked:
How can i treat primary sclerosing cholangitis?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Arthur Helleranswered
Gastroenterology 44 years experience
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.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Shady Macaronanswered
21 years experience
Ursodiol: Standard treatment includes ursodiol, a bile acid naturally produced by the liver, which has been shown to lower elevated liver enzyme numbers in people with psc, but has not improved liver- or overall survival. Invasive approaches include ERCP and stunting are needed to open major blockage. Liver transplant is the only proven long term treatment.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
Alsip, IL
A 22-year-old female asked:
Is primary sclerosing cholangitis rare?
1 doctor answer • 10 doctors weighed in

Dr. Charles Cattanoanswered
Gastroenterology 40 years experience
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.
1.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Primary sclerosing cholangitis - what is the inherited risk?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Gerardo Garciaanswered
General Surgery 34 years experience
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.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Will primary sclerosing cholangitis kill me?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Valentin Drezaliuanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 21 years experience
Yes: It is a disease that slowly progresses and eventually without treatment leads to hepatic failure which has a very high mortality rate.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Do people with primary sclerosing cholangitis have a lot of pain?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jennifer Anyaegbunamanswered
General Practice 8 years experience
Depends: Primary sclerosing cholangitis ( psc) causes destruction of the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver. The first symptoms of the disease include fatigue, itching and jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes. Psc however, is associated with a number of hepatobilliary disorders like pancreatitis, which may cause pain.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Last updated Sep 9, 2018
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