Cholestasis stands for cholestasis in the bile ducts and liver. This is a serious condition because the residual bile acids not only lead to various digestive disorders, but also have a toxic effect on the liver cells, leading to their damage. What are the causes and symptoms of cholestasis? What is the treatment?

Cholestasismeanscholestasisin the bile ducts and liver. Bile is the yellow-brown secretion of the liver, which is transported through the bile ducts to the duodenum. This substance plays a very important role in the body - it is essential for the digestion of fats. However, its accumulation can have dangerous consequences.

Cholestasis (cholestasis) - causes

1. Impairment of hepatic bile production (intrahepatic cholestasis)

All factors that lead to damage to liver cells, including infection (e.g. viral hepatitis, toxoplasmosis), drugs, drugs, alcohol, which can lead to alcoholic fatty liver disease, and further to hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Pregnant women are also at risk of developing intrahepatic cholestasis. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (WCC) is associated with the increase in the concentration of sex hormones: estrogens and progesterone, which occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy.

2. Impaired bile outflow (extrahepatic cholestasis)

Impaired bile drainage may be caused by diseases of the bile ducts (e.g. gallstones, bile duct cancer, biliary cysts). Bile stasis may also be caused by diseases adjacent to the bile ducts of the pancreas (e.g. pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer).

Cholestasis (cholestasis) - symptoms

  • jaundice - indicates an increase in the level of bile pigments in the body
  • itching of the skin - it intensifies especially when the body is warm, and also in the evening hours, which may lead to sleep disorders
  • liver enlargement, sometimes spleen
  • abdominal pain on the right side (in the right hypochondrium)
  • stool discoloration - this includes due to bile, the stool is brown in color. If it is discolored or white, it may suggest bile drainage disorders
  • darkening power
  • skin yellows (rarely)
Important

Cholestasis - serious consequences

The consequence of stopping the outflow of bile from the liver is various digestive disorders, especially the absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins, i.e. A, D, E and K, as well as cholestatic damage to the liver.

Cholestasis (cholestasis) - diagnosis

Liver tests are the basis for the diagnosis of cholestasis. The doctor may also decide to perform an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.

Cholestasis (cholestasis) - treatment

Treatment of cholestasis depends on its cause. For example, in the case of alcoholic liver sweetness, abstinence is the mainstay of treatment.

The so-called choleretic drugs whose task is to dilate the bile ducts or increase the flow of bile through the bile ducts. In some cases, your doctor may decide to give you ursodeoxycholic acid (also known as tertiary bile acid).

In addition, a proper diet is essential - increase your intake of essential fatty acids (EFAs) and fat-soluble vitamins - A, D, E and K, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent bile thickening.

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