Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in Hattiesburg, MS
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Find a ProviderWhat is primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)?
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a condition that is similar to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), but it affects the bile ducts outside and inside the liver. PSC causes the bile ducts to become irritated, scarred, and more narrow in diameter. This damage could ultimately lead to cirrhosis of the liver as time goes on.
Bile is a key component in the way the body functions. It aids digestion and helps eliminate bad cholesterol, toxins, and worn-out red blood cells. Therefore, it is important for patients to find help for PSC without delay. Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC proudly offers specialty care for primary sclerosing cholangitis. For more on this concern or to get help for PSC in Hattiesburg, MS request a consultation with a member of our GI team today.
What is the cause of PSC?
While the reason behind PSC remains unclear, it is thought to involve an immune defense against infection or a toxin. Primary sclerosing cholangitis has a genetic predisposition, which means that if a close relative has or had the disease, you have an increased risk of having it as well. Risk factors associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis include:
- Being male
- Heritage (those of Northern European descent are at an increased risk of developing PSC)
- Having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Age (PSC is most commonly diagnosed in people between 30 – 50 years old)
The practitioners at Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC can explain additional details about the potential factors leading to primary sclerosing cholangitis and help you explore your chance of developing this chronic condition.
What are common signs of PSC?
PSC is most commonly identified before any signs or symptoms begin to show through routine tests for other health concerns. Treating PSC is more successful when the condition is caught in the early stages. The early symptoms of primary sclerosing cholangitis could include itching and fatigue. Other signs and symptoms of PSC involve:
- High cholesterol levels
- Muscle tenderness
- Pain in the upper right abdominal area
- Dryness of the mouth
- Unwanted weight loss
- Dry eyes
- Joint pain
- Swollen ankles and feet
- Chills
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Dark and greasy stools
- Fragile bones
- Dark skin not associated with being in the sun
- Heavy sweating during sleep
It is important to request a consultation with your nearest Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC specialist should you have intense itching on a large portion of your body, or if you feel exhausted all the time. It is imperative to bring these symptoms up to your provider if you have a type of inflammatory bowel disease IBD, including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
What are the treatments for PSC?
Medical practitioners have not found a cure for PSC. Many of the treatment approaches involve addressing the narrowing of the bile ducts along with the complications and symptoms that result from the disorder. Our Hattiesburg, MS gastroenterology specialists may recommend one or more of the options listed here to treat primary sclerosing cholangitis:
- Stents to treat blocked or narrowed bile ducts
- Topical creams to manage itching
- Remain at a healthy weight
- Avoid consuming alcohol
- Liver transplant surgery
- Nutrition support therapy
- Regular exercise
- Balloon dilation procedure to treat narrowed bile ducts
- Surgical procedure to temporarily open obstructed bile ducts
- Antibiotics to treat infections
We recommend that you request a one-on-one consultation to discuss with your provider what treatment options would be best for you.
Expert care for chronic liver disease
As a chronic liver disease, PSC may affect your health and life in several ways, and it may result in additional health issues in the absence of care. Our digestive health team at Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC is here to provide the care needed to help elevate your quality of living. To find a provider who offers treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis in Hattiesburg, MS, contact one of our locations in your community.
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