Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in Lubbock, TX
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Find a ProviderWhat is primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)?
Primary sclerosing cholangitis, or PSC, is a chronic liver condition that is similar to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), but it affects the bile ducts outside and inside the liver. PSC makes the bile ducts inflamed, scarred, damaged, and more narrow, which can eventually lead to liver cirrhosis.
As a fluid that aids in digestion, bile is a key component in the way the body functions. It disposes of bad cholesterol, worn-out blood cells, and toxins. That is why it is vital that patients receive care for PSC as soon as possible. At Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates , we are proud to provide skilled services for primary sclerosing cholangitis. To learn more about the disease or to get help for PSC in Lubbock, TX, please request a consultation with one of our gastroenterologists today.
What causes PSC?
While the reason behind primary sclerosing cholangitis has not been identified, it is believed to be an immune response to an infection or a toxin. PSC can be hereditary, which means that if a member of your family has or had the condition, you have an increased risk of having it as well. Factors that increase the risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis include:
- Having inflammatory bowel disease
- Being male
- Ancestry (people having Northern European heritage are at greater risk of developing PSC)
- Age (PSC is most common among people between ages 30 and 50)
Our providers at your nearest Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates location can explain additional details involving the potential causes of primary sclerosing cholangitis and help you gain an understanding of your odds of developing this condition.
What are the symptoms of PSC?
In most cases, PSC will be detected before symptoms appear in routine tests for other conditions. Treatment plans for PSC generally have more positive results if the disease is caught early. The early symptoms of primary sclerosing cholangitis can include itching and tiredness. Other common symptoms of PSC are:
- Pain in the joints
- Dark-colored and oily stools
- Swollen ankles and feet
- Dark skin unrelated to being in the sun
- Heavy sweating during sleep
- Chills
- Undesired weight loss
- Frail bones
- High levels of cholesterol
- Dry eyes
- Dryness of the mouth
- Muscle tenderness
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Upper right abdominal pain
It may be time to seek help from a Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates provider if you are experiencing extreme itching on most of your body or if you feel exhausted all the time. It is very important that you bring these symptoms up to your GI provider if you have a type of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
What treatments are available for PSC?
The medical community has not yet found a cure for primary sclerosing cholangitis. The majority of the treatment options involve addressing the narrowing of the bile ducts along with managing the symptoms and complications that accompany the condition. Our Lubbock, TX gastroenterology providers may advise having one or more of the following options to treat primary sclerosing cholangitis:
- Balloon dilation procedure to address constricted bile ducts
- Surgery to temporarily open bile ducts that are blocked
- Remain at a healthy weight
- Stents to address narrowed or blocked bile ducts
- Nutrition support therapy
- Antibiotics to treat infections
- Use topical creams to manage itching symptoms
- Liver transplant procedure
- Exercise
- Avoid alcohol use
Custom care for chronic liver disease
PSC is a chronic liver condition that may impact your life in a number of ways and it can lead to additional health issues if left untreated. However, our gastroenterology team at your nearest Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates location is here to provide the personalized services you need to help improve your quality of life. To meet with a provider who offers PSC treatment in Lubbock, TX, please contact one of our office locations to speak with our team.
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