Symptoms Of Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes bile ducts in the liver to die slowly over time. When bile ducts are damaged, bile can back up in the liver and not excrete properly. This occurs because the immune system is unable to fight the white blood cells called T-lymphocytes (T-cells) that collect in the liver to allow it to function properly. The cells slowly die causing fibrosis, otherwise known as scar tissue, and ultimately cirrhosis of the liver. This impacts the function of the liver in the body. The cause of primary biliary cholangitis is unknown, but it is not the result of substance abuse. There is no cure for primary biliary cholangitis, so it is imperative to be aware of the symptoms so it can be prevented or treated as early as possible.