Primary Biliary Cirrhosis disease can cause liver failure, go to hospital immediately if symptoms appear.

Causes of primary biliary cirrhosis

According to many researches, primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune disease. In this the body itself destroys healthy cells. When certain types of white blood cells start accumulating in the liver, inflammation occurs in the liver. These immune cells detect bacteria and viruses and attack them, but in primary biliary cirrhosis they mistakenly damage healthy cells. Inflammation of the small ducts causes damage to other liver cells. As soon as the cells get damaged, fibrosis occurs which leads to cirrhosis. In cirrhosis the liver stops functioning properly.

Risk Factors for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

• Gender: Most sufferers of primary biliary cirrhosis are women.
• Age: It is more likely to occur in people between 30 and 60 years of age.
• Heredity: If someone in your family had or has the disease, it can happen to you too.

Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis

There is no cure for primary biliary cirrhosis, but your doctor can give you some medicines that can reduce the chances of this disease becoming more serious. If the medicines do not work and the liver starts failing, then the doctor may also advise you for a liver transplant. However, in some cases, there is a possibility of recurrence of the disease several years after the transplant. Fatigue is felt more in primary biliary cirrhosis. In such a situation, health experts can advise you to make some changes in your diet and do exercise.

Other diseases caused by primary biliary cirrhosis

As the liver gets damaged. Primary biliary cirrhosis causes other health related problems.

• liver cirrhosis
• High pressure in the portal vein called portal hypertension
• Enlarged veins called varicose veins
• an enlarged spleen, called splenomegaly
• Gallstones and Bile Duct Stones
• liver cancer
• weak bones
• vitamin deficiency
• high cholesterol level
• poor memory and lack of concentration

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always consult your doctor for more information.