Here’s Everything You Should Know about Cholestasis Treatment and Management

 

Cholestasis treatment depends on severity of the disease. Cholestasis treatment must address the underlying condition and ranges from diet and medication to surgical procedures. Cholestasis is an irritating liver ailment which may develop very late in a pregnant woman's pregnancy. Cholestasis usually goes away only after the child is delivered. However, when levels of bile in the bloodstream rise to a certain level, it triggers the burning itching sensation felt in the area. Cholestasis is also known as biliary colic and is extremely discomforting and painful for the expectant mom.

Cholestasis is of two types, such as intrahepatic cholestasis (which originates within the liver) and extrahepatic cholestasis (caused by a physical barrier to the bile ducts). Intrahepatic cholestasis can be caused by hormonal effects on bile flow, genetic abnormalities, drug use, infection, disease, etc. Pregnancy may also increase the risk for the condition. Sarcoidosis, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, pregnancy, alcoholic liver disease, lymphoma, bacterial abscess in the liver, and amyloidosis are some of the major causes for intrahepatic cholestasis. Extrahepatic cholestasis is caused due to pancreatic cysts, pseudocyst or pancreatic tumor, stones in the common bile duct, pancreatitis, bile duct tumors, and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

With increasing prevalence/incidences of various diseases (such as lymphoma, tuberculosis, and cancer), the demand for cholestasis treatment is also increasing. Tuberculosis is present in all countries and all age groups. For instance, in 2018, there were about 2,200 deaths due to tuberculosis in Japan. Moreover, the Japanese municipalities offer free periodic tuberculosis vaccinations for children under the age of one year. Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization, worldwide, around 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis in 2019.

Moreover, certain medications, sometimes, also result in cholestasis that include cimetidine, birth control pills, chlorpromazine, imipramine, terbinafine, estradio, tolbutamide, anabolic steroids and prochlorperazine.