Question: What is (are) Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis ?
Answer: PSC is a disease that damages and blocks bile ducts inside and outside the liver. Bile is a liquid made in the liver. Bile ducts are tubes that carry bile out of the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. In the intestine, bile helps break down fat in food. In PSC, inflammation of the bile ducts leads to scar formation and narrowing of the ducts over time. As scarring increases, the ducts become blocked. As a result, bile builds up in the liver and damages liver cells. Eventually, scar tissue can spread throughout the liver, causing cirrhosis and liver failure.
Source: NIDDK

Question: What causes Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis ?
Answer: The causes of PSC are not known. Genes, immune system problems, bacteria, and viruses may play roles in the development of the disease. PSC is linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). About three out of four people with PSC have a type of IBD called ulcerative colitis. The link between PSC and IBD is not yet understood.
Source: NIDDK

Question: What are the symptoms of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis ?
Answer: The main symptoms of PSC are itching, fatigue, and yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. An infection in the bile ducts can cause chills and fever. PSC progresses slowly, so a person can have the disease for years before symptoms develop.
Source: NIDDK

Question: What are the complications of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis ?
Answer: PSC can lead to various complications, including - deficiencies of vitamins A, D, E, and K - infections of the bile ducts - cirrhosisextensive scarring of the liver - liver failure - bile duct cancer
Source: NIDDK

Question: What are the treatments for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis ?
Answer: Although researchers have studied many treatments, none has been shown to cure or slow the progress of PSC. Treatment of PSC aims to relieve symptoms and manage complications. Medical treatment may include various medications to relieve itching, antibiotics to treat infections, and vitamin supplements. Instruments passed through an endoscope during ERCP can help open blocked bile ducts. Liver transplantation may be an option if the liver begins to fail.
Source: NIDDK

Question: What to do for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis ?
Answer: - Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) inflames, scars, and blocks bile ducts inside and outside the liver. - When bile ducts become blocked, bile builds up in the liver and damages liver cells. - PSC can lead to vitamin deficiencies, infections, bile duct cancer, cirrhosis, liver failure, and the need for a liver transplant. - The cause of PSC is not known. - Many people with PSC also have ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease. - Treatment includes medications to treat symptoms and complications of PSC.
Source: NIDDK