Cholestasis (patient information)

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Cholestasis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Cholestasis?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Cholestasis On the Web

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty

Synonyms and Keywords: Intrahepatic cholestasis; Extrahepatic cholestasis

Overview

Cholestasis is any condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is blocked.

What are the symptoms of Cholestasis?

Symptoms of Cholestasis may include:

  • Clay-colored or white stools
  • Dark urine
  • Inability to digest certain foods
  • Itching
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain in the right upper part of the abdomen
  • Yellow skin or eyes

What causes Cholestasis?

There are many causes of cholestasis.

  • Extrahepatic cholestasis occurs outside the liver. It can be caused by:
  • Intrahepatic cholestasis occurs inside the liver. It can be caused by:
  • Certain medications can also cause cholestasis.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you have:

  • Persistent itching
  • Yellow skin or eyes
  • Other symptoms of cholestasis

Diagnosis

  • Imaging tests are used to diagnose this condition. Tests include:

Treatment options

The underlying cause of cholestasis must be treated.

Where to find medical care for Cholestasis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cholestasis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

  • How well a person does depends on the disease causing the condition. Stones in the common bile duct usually can be removed, curing the cholestasis.
  • Stents can be placed to open areas of the common bile duct that are narrowed or blocked by cancers.

Possible complications

  • Diarrhea
  • Organ failure can occur if sepsis develops
  • Poor absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins
  • Severe itching
  • Weak bones (osteomalacia) and osteoporosis (due to very long-term cholestasis)

Prevention

  • Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B if you are at risk.
  • Avoid intravenous drug use and needle sharing.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000215.htm]


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