Signs and Symptoms
PSC is characterized by recurrent episodes of cholangitis, with progressive biliary scarring and obstruction.
- Chronic fatigue (a non-specific symptom often present in liver disease)
- Severe jaundice with intense itching
- Malabsorption (especially of fat) and steatorrhea (fatty stool) due to biliary obstruction, leading to decreased levels of the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K.
- Signs of cirrhosis
- Hepatomegaly
- Portal hypertension
- Ascending cholangitis, or infection of the bile duct.
- Dark urine due to excess conjugated bilirubin, which is water soluble, being excreted by the kidneys
- Hepatic encephalopathy
Read more about this topic: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Famous quotes containing the words signs and, signs and/or symptoms:
“For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles...”
—Bible: New Testament, 1 Corinthians 1:22-3.
“The family is in flux, and signs of trouble are widespread. Expectations remain high. But realities are disturbing.”
—Robert Neelly Bellah (20th century)
“The human condition is such that pain and effort are not just symptoms which can be removed without changing life itself; they are the modes in which life itself, together with the necessity to which it is bound, makes itself felt. For mortals, the “easy life of the gods” would be a lifeless life.”
—Hannah Arendt (1906–1975)