What Is Primary Biliary Cirrhosis?
2. Disease Process
Primary biliary cholangitis, is an autoimmune condition that results in progressive destruction of small to medium bile ducts in the liver, causing a chronic reduction or stoppage of bile flow known as cholestasis. Thus, bile and other toxins that are normally excreted, build up in the ducts within the liver and cause further damage. The resulting inflammation of the bile duct system that occurs in the early stage of the disease is known as cholangitis.
Finally, progressive damage to the tissue involved can lead to scarring, fibrosis, and eventually end-stage liver disease or cirrhosis in the late stages of the disease. In short, cirrhosis is a complication of many liver diseases characterized by the replacement of normal hepatic tissue by scar tissue. This can alter the normal functions of the organ and lead to liver failure.
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