Liver disease, of any type, can be life altering and lead to shortened life span. If you are struggling with risks associated with liver disease, it is important to become familiar with the variety of health issues you may face, including the symptoms associated with rare liver disorders such as primary sclerosing cholangitis.
The liver, by its very nature, is an organ that is essential to the detoxification of the body by way of bile and bile ducts. When our body is exposed to food and liquids, along with environmental toxins, that may be hazardous to our health, the liver will produce bile that will work to remove the toxins from the body. It is often said that the liver works to “filter” the body of harmful substances.
When the liver is not functioning normally, and when complications involving cholangitis develop, the filtering capabilities of the liver will also fail. In patients who have this complication, one of the first signs may be the onset of jaundice – causing a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Because the inflammation of the bile ducts prevents proper filtering to take place, the body becomes toxic to itself and this, ultimately, causes jaundice, weight loss, diarrhea and fatigue.
While there is no clear cause known for the development of primary sclerosing cholangitis, most patients are believed to suffer from the complication in response to a pre-existing history of inflammatory bowel disease, IBD. So, if you have a history of digestive complications, and may be at-risk for IBD, then it is important to speak with your doctor about the risk for developing the inflammation of your bile ducts and the complications of the liver.
Liver health is vital to your long term health and is a health risk that must be addressed if you have complications involving poor digestion, fatigue and the onset of jaundice. In addition, if you have a pre-existing history of IBD, always ask about routine liver health screenings to ensure you are not falling prey to the health risks of primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Sources: Natural Therapy for Your Liver, by Christopher Hobbs