Primary Biliary Cirrhosis is a condition that affects the bile ducts in the liver are slowly destroyed. Although a somewhat dangerous disease, and life threatening, prevention/ treatment options do exist to stop the progression of the condition before it gets out of hand.
How It Occurs
Biliary Cirrhosis is formed when the bile ducts located within the liver is damaged, interrupting important processes like food digesting and removing of worn-out red blood cells. The damaging of this bile can result in scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis) which is usually irreversible in its effects. While this condition should not be undermined, the condition does occur at a slow pace, its movements can be stopped with proper treatment. Symptoms for this condition are usually absent, as many experience little if any when diagnosed with it. Some symptoms are similar between patients, however, symptoms like dry mouth, eyes, yellowing of eyes and mouth, and swollen feet and ankles are a couple that exist. An exact cause of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis is absent, however many believe it is caused by an autoimmune disease, where the body combats its own cells.
Inflammation of the ducts are then caused once the condition progresses, causing further complications. Several factors make Cirrhosis more defining in persons, age, sex, and infections are factors that can cause Biliary Cirrhosis to appear more frequently in persons. Although complications usually don’t arise until later down the condition experience, the complications that exist can be deadly. Permanent scarring, titled “Cirrhosis” is common with later stages of Biliary Cirrhosis. Liver cancer and unregulated blood flow are common issues that arise late in Biliary Cirrhosis. Treating Biliary Cirrhosis is difficult, as a cure has not yet been determined, however some actions can be initiated to soften the symptoms. These range from minor treatments, like strengthening of bones and fixing vitamin deficiencies, to major actions like surgery.
Life Expectancy
Life Expectancy in dealing with Biliary Cirrhosis really depends on what stage the condition is caught in. Preliminary stages of the condition can be treated, with medications and surgery that stop the progression into later stages. If the stage of Biliary Cirrhosis is in the later ones, however, there’s very little that can be done, as the liver tissue will be too scarred or damaged to operate as it should. In these cases, many don’t live past 10-15 years pass diagnosis, as the severity gets too difficult to maintain.
