The Wiki
The Wiki contains all the articles on the web site. The articles are put into categories and 'tagged' for easier searching.
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a condition that slowly damages the bile ducts in the liver. In time, the flow of bile is restricted and bile builds up in the liver. This damages liver cells which in some cases leads to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Common early symptoms are itch and…
PBC can be treated with Rituximab Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody, was shown to be safe in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who had an incomplete response to the standard ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy, an open-label study has revealed. Study details available in the February issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf…
Itching with PBC Just about as common as fatigue in PBC, itching (pruritus) of the skin affects 66% of patients at some time during the disease. The itching tends to occur early in the course of the disease, when patients still have good liver function. As a matter of fact, itching can even be the…
Diana with PBC Many people associate the word “cirrhosis” with alcoholism. But not all forms of the condition are caused by excessive drinking, as Diana Gurr would like to point out. The 52-year-old from Beacon Heath, Exeter, suffers from primary biliary cirrhosis, a rare, chronic, liver disease, with no known cause. Cirrhosis, which means damage…
Consortium Finds Chronic Liver Cirrhosis Clues Researchers have provided new clues into the genetics underlying a chronic form of liver disease, called primary biliary cirrhosis, which can lead to transplant surgery for patients. The new study identifies 15 genetic regions that affect a person’s risk of developing the disease, more than trebling the number of…
Liver disease test panel – autoimmune Last reviewed: January 28, 2009. An autoimmune liver disease panel is a series of tests performed when autoimmune liver disease is suspected. An autoimmune liver disease means that the body’s immune system attacks the liver. These tests include: Anti-liver/kidney microsomal antibodies Anti-mitochondrial antibodies Anti-nuclear antibodies Anti-smooth muscle antibodies Occasionally,…
Autoimmune hepatitis Lupoid hepatitis; Chronic acute liver disease Last reviewed: November 23, 2010. Autoimmune hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that occurs when immune cells mistake the liver’s normal cells for harmful invaders and attack them. Causes, incidence, and risk factors In patients who have an autoimmune disease, the immune system can’t tell the difference…
Autoimmune Disorders Last reviewed: May 3, 2009. An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. See also: Immune response Causes, incidence, and risk factors Normally the immune system’s army of white blood cells helps…
Vitamin B12 Enhances Hep C Treatment Adding Vitamin B12 to hepatitis C virus treatments significantly improved the body’s ability to keep the virus at bay, according to a new study. The new study, published online in the journal Gut, found that the effects of B12 were particularly strong in patients whose infections had become difficult…
Toxic Hepatitis We hear so much about Viral Hepatitis but, did you ever think that everyday products could cost you your health or even your life? If you’re like most people, you probably never gave it much thought. I know I didn’t. So, let’s talk about Toxic Hepatitis for a moment… What is it, and…