The bile duct is swollen and inflamed by cholangitis.
Bile, a green to yellow-brown fluid that aids in the body’s absorption of fats as well as the removal of waste from the liver, is transported to the small intestine by the bile ducts from the liver and gallbladder.
Some types of cholangitis are mild, but others can be serious and life threatening. When the bile ducts become inflamed or blocked, bile can back up into the liver, causing liver damage and other issues.
Types of Cholangitis
Cholangitis comes in two main varieties:
- Chronic cholangitisoccurs gradually over time, and symptoms may last for years.
- Acute cholangitisoccurs suddenly, and it may result in symptoms that last only a short while.
Symptoms of Cholangitis
Each person with cholangitis may have slightly different signs and symptoms, and many people with cholangitis may not experience any symptoms at all. Symptoms depend on the type of cholangitis one has and how long one has had it.
Chronic cholangitis can present with a variety of early symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Itchy skin
- Dry eyes
- Dry mouth
- Long-lasting high feverReliable Source
- upper right side of your abdomen feeling tight or painful
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Back pain
- The skin and eyes become yellow (jaundice).
- Dark urine
- Low blood pressure
When cholangitis is chronic, the following conditions may occur:
- Right upper side discomfort
- Night sweats
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Hyperpigmentation, a skin darkening,
- Muscle pain
- Bone or joint pain
- Intestinal fluid accumulation, or bloating
- Skin around the eyes and on the eyelids has fat accumulations (xanthomas)
- Elbow, knee, palm, and foot sole fat deposits
- greasy bowel movements or diarrhea
- Clay-colored bowel movements
- Weight loss
- Instabilities in mood and memory
Causes of Cholangitis
Although cholangitis can have a variety of causes, sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.
Because the bile ducts are mistakenly attacked by the body’s own immune system in chronic (long-term) cholangitis, there is inflammation.
The bile ducts can become hard and narrowed over time as a result of scarring, which can also block smaller ducts.
Causes of acute (sudden onset) cholangitis may be due to:
- Bacterial infection
- Gallstones
- Blockages
- Tumor
Environmental causes of both acute and chronic cholangitis may be due to:
- parasites, fungi, viruses, or bacteria that cause infections
- Smoking
- Chemicals
We run the risk of developing cholangitis because of the following factors:
Sex
Age
Genetics
DIAGNOSIS of Cholangitis
- Complete blood count (CBC).
- Liver function tests.
- Anti-mitochondrial antibody test.
- Cholesterol test.
- Blood culture.
Though imaging tests aren’t always necessary, they can help your doctor confirm a diagnosis or rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. Several types of imaging tests can help your doctor see how your liver and bile duct are functioning.
These imaging exams could consist of:
- Ultrasound.
- CT scan.
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC).
Homeopathic Treatment of Cholangitis
1. Chelidonium-Useful for cholangitis when there is pain under the right shoulder blade and pain in the upper right abdomen that radiates to the back.
2. LycopodiumUseful for cholasngitis when there is a family history of kidney and gallstones, bloating following meals, and biliary colics that mostly happen in the late afternoon. Helpful for irritable when he despises contradiction but controls his anger.
3. Nux vomica– Beneficial for cholangitis, which causes heartburn, nausea, and bloating. Biliary colic causes constricted, spasmodic pain. Rich foods and beverages are overindulged in.
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