Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
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Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Dry skinHives " пїЅ Red, puffy areas that happen where a person scratches or rubs the skin.Dark patches on the skinYellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes " пїЅ This is called "jaundice. " пїЅPain in the jointsDry eyes and mouthBelly pain (on the upper right side of the belly)Losing weight without tryingMemory and thinking problems Is there a test for primary biliary cirrhosis? " пїЅ Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. Tests include: пїЅ пїЅ
Some people have imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body. пїЅ пїЅ
How is primary biliary cirrhosis treated? " пїЅ Doctors treat PBC with medicines to slow down the liver damage. Other treatments include: пїЅ пїЅ
Ask your doctor if you might need a liver transplant for PBC. If you do, your doctor will do more tests to make sure you are healthy enough for this kind of surgery. Then your doctor will put you on a waiting list for a liver transplant. Liver transplants are given to people with the most damaged livers first. People often have to wait up to 2 years for a new liver. пїЅ пїЅ
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ
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This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
- Blood tests " пїЅ This test can show if PBC or another condition is causing the symptoms.
- Liver biopsy " пїЅ For this test, a doctor puts a needle into your liver and takes out a small sample of tissue. The sample helps doctors make sure PBC is the cause of symptoms. It also tells doctors how much damage there is.
- Diet changes " пїЅ For example, some people with PBC need to eat less fat.
- Vitamins " пїЅ Some people with PBC do not get enough of certain vitamins from food. If you are not getting enough vitamins, the doctor can tell you which vitamins to take and how much. Do NOT take any vitamins or medicines without talking to your doctor or nurse first.
- Medicines to treat health problems caused by PBC, such as itching or anemia (having too few red blood cells)
- Liver transplant " пїЅ If your PBC is severe, or the medicines to slow down liver damage do not work, you might need a new liver. During a transplant, a doctor does surgery to replace the damaged liver with a healthy one.
Organs inside the abdomen (belly)
Graphic 64960 Version 6.0
Organs inside the abdomen (belly)
Graphic 64960 Version 6.0