Cholestasis (patient information): Difference between revisions
New page: '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here''' {{SI}} '''Editor-in-Chief:''' Meagan E. Doherty {{EJ}} ==What is Cholestasis?== Cholestasis is any condition in wh... |
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==Who is at risk for Cholestasis?== | ==Who is at risk for Cholestasis?== | ||
==How to know you have Cholestasis?== | ==How to know you have Cholestasis (Diagnosis)?== | ||
Blood tests may show higher than normal levels of [[bilirubin]] and [[alkaline phosphatase]]. | |||
Imaging tests are used to diagnose this condition. Tests include: | |||
* [[CT scan]] of the abdomen | |||
* [[MRI]] of the abdomen | |||
* [[Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography]] (ERCP) (can also determine cause) | |||
* [[Ultrasound]] of the abdomen | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care== | ==When to seek urgent medical care== | ||
Revision as of 20:00, 11 August 2009
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Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty
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What is Cholestasis?
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 are the causes of Cholestasis?
There are many causes of cholestasis.
Extrahepatic cholestasis occurs outside the liver. It can be caused by:
- Bile duct tumors
- Cysts
- Narrowing of the bile duct (strictures)
- Stones in the common bile duct
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic tumor or pseudocyst
- Pressure on an organ due to a nearby mass or tumor
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Intrahepatic cholestasis occurs inside the liver. It can be caused by:
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Amyloidosis
- Bacterial abscess in the liver
- Being fed through a vein (IV)
- Lymphoma
- Pregnancy
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Serious infections that have spread through the bloodstream (sepsis)
- Tuberculosis
- Viral hepatitis
- Sjogren syndrome
Certain medications can also cause cholestasis.
Who is at risk for Cholestasis?
How to know you have Cholestasis (Diagnosis)?
Blood tests may show higher than normal levels of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase.
Imaging tests are used to diagnose this condition. Tests include:
- CT scan of the abdomen
- MRI of the abdomen
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (can also determine cause)
- Ultrasound of the abdomen
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Cholestasis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cholestasis