Cholangitis is a health condition that affects the bile ducts, which are responsible for taking bile from the liver and delivering it to the digestive system. Cholangitis causes the bile ducts to become inflamed, which can lead to a host of serious, potentially life-threatening, health effects. This guide explains some important factors about cholangitis and how it can affect a person’s health.
It is important to understand the effects of different forms of cholangitis when dealing with this health condition. For example, three common types include:
PBC involves damage to the bile ducts inside the liver, while PSC can affect bile ducts inside and outside the liver.
The health effects of cholangitis will vary according to type. Not everyone who experiences the chronic form of this health condition develops obvious symptoms at the outset. When early symptoms do occur, they often include the following:
These symptoms may result from relatively harmless issues, such as allergies, or they can signal a serious underlying medical problem. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have all new health issues assessed by a medical professional, as doctors can use blood and imaging tests to confirm a cholangitis diagnosis.
In some people, cholangitis results from an autoimmune disorder (primary sclerosing and primary biliary cholangitis). In others, acute cases can be caused by the reduced flow of bile, bile duct obstructions, and infections. Additionally, smoking cigarettes and chemical exposure can contribute to the development of chronic and acute forms. And in some cases, it’s not possible to identify an underlying cause of the condition.
Seeking immediate evaluation for symptoms associated with cholangitis is key to avoiding the following serious complications:
By being proactive about new symptoms, many people who experience cholangitis are able to avoid more serious health problems.