Cholestasis

General description of the disease

It is a pathological process caused by a violation of the synthesis and flow of bile into the duodenum. This disease is diagnosed annually in 10 cases per 100 population. More predisposed to cholestasis are men who have crossed the 000-year mark, as well as women during pregnancy^[4]… Overweight people who prefer a sedentary lifestyle are also prone to cholestasis.

Causes of cholestasis

Stagnation of bile can provoke many factors, which can be conditionally divided into 2 groups. Intrahepatic reasons include:

• liver damage due to alcohol abuse;
• congenital metabolic disorders: tyrosinemia, galactosemia;
• pregnancy;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• underdeveloped muscles of the gallbladder;
• hepatitis;
• blood poisoning;
• heart failure;
• liver damage due to taking hepatotoxic medicines;
• liver damage toxins and poisons;
• endocrine disorders – hypothyroidism;
• chromosomal abnormalities.

Extrahepatic factors:

• gallstone pathology;
• malignant tumors of the pancreas and liver;
• helminthiases;
• cysts in the bile ducts;
• pancreatitis;
• Caroli’s disease, in which there is an expansion of the bile ducts;
• liver tuberculosis.

Cholestasis symptoms

The severity of clinical signs of cholestasis depends on the stage and duration of the disease. The main symptoms of cholestasis are as follows:

1. 1 the main sign of bile stagnation is itching of the skin, it is especially painful at night and in the autumn-winter period. Multiple scratching occurs on the patient’s body^[3];
2. 2 jaundice – staining of mucous membranes and skin in a yellowish color does not occur at the beginning of the development of cholestasis, but after a while /;
3. 3 digestive disorders, such as: flatulence, nausea up to vomiting, discoloration of feces, poor tolerance to fatty foods;
4. 4 renal impairment;
5. 5 lack of appetite and weight loss;
6. 6 pain in the right hypochondrium;
7. 7 hyperpigmentation of the skin;
8. 8 tendency to stone formation in the gallbladder and in the bile ducts;
9. 9 hypovitaminosis, and as a result, visual impairment.

Complications of cholestasis

Cholestasis can be almost asymptomatic for a long time. However, untimely therapy can lead to the following complications:

• bleeding – as a result of vitamin K deficiency;
• malfunctions of the liver up to liver failure;
• cirrhosis of the liver, in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by coarse connective tissue;
• decreased visual acuity in the dark and twilight due to vitamin A deficiency;
• osteoporosis;
• the formation of stones in the gallbladder and the development of cholangitis;
• hemolopia.

Prevention of cholestasis

In order to prevent the development of cholestasis, it is necessary to timely identify and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as:

1. 1 from time to time to carry out deworming;
2. 2 observe the principles of proper nutrition;
3. 3 exercise moderately;
4. 4 alternate modes of work and rest;
5. 5 to refuse from bad habits;
6. 6 2-3 times a year to carry out a course of vitamin therapy;
7. 7 with inflammation of the gallbladder, take medicinal mineral waters;
8. 8 drink at least 2 liters of liquid daily.

Treatment of cholestasis in mainstream medicine

Therapy of this pathology is aimed, first of all, at eliminating the causes that provoked its development, for example:

• stopping the intake of toxic medicines;
• elimination of stones in the gallbladder;
• removal of malignant tumors in the pancreas, liver and gallbladder;
• deworming;
• treatment of urolithiasis.

To combat itching of the skin, glucocorticosteroids are used, which reduce bilirubin levels. Also, antihistamines are taken to get rid of itching. Good results can be achieved by taking a course of ultraviolet irradiation. For relief of hemorrhagic syndrome, drugs with vitamin K are prescribed.

Means with ursodeoxycholic acid protect and restore liver cells, and also remove toxins from the body.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!