Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in Ocean Springs, MS
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Find a ProviderWhat is primary sclerosing cholangitis?
The condition of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is similar to PBC (primary biliary cholangitis), but it impacts the bile ducts located outside and within the liver. It causes the bile ducts to become irritated, scarred, damaged, and narrower in diameter, which may eventually lead to liver cirrhosis.
Bile is a digestive fluid that is essential to how the body functions. It assists with digestion and the disposal of worn-out blood cells, bad cholesterol, and toxins. As a result, it is imperative for you to get treatment for PSC as early as possible. Digestive Health Center is pleased to offer skilled services for primary sclerosing cholangitis. To learn more about this liver condition or to find treatment for PSC in Ocean Springs, MS, request a consultation with one of our GI providers today.
What causes primary sclerosing cholangitis?
Although the reason behind primary sclerosing cholangitis has not been identified, it is thought to involve an immune reaction to an infection or a toxin. Primary sclerosing cholangitis can be hereditary, meaning if a family member has or previously had the condition, you also have an increased risk of having it. Risk factors of primary sclerosing cholangitis include:
- Being male
- Having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Heritage (people with Northern European heritage are at greater risk of having PSC)
- Age (PSC is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 30 and 50)
Our providers at Digestive Health Center can offer further information surrounding the possible causes of PSC and help you learn more about your chance of developing this disease.
What are common signs of PSC?
PSC is most commonly diagnosed before any signs or symptoms appear through routine testing for other conditions. Treatment strategies for PSC are more effective when the disease is diagnosed early. The early symptoms of PSC could include tiredness and itching. Further general symptoms of primary sclerosing cholangitis include:
- Fragile bones
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
- Dryness of the mouth
- Dry eyes
- Tenderness in the muscles
- Dark-colored and greasy stools
- Pain in the upper right abdominal area
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
- High levels of cholesterol
- Chills
- Joint pain
- Darkening of the skin not associated with sun exposure
- Unintentional weight loss
- Heavy sweating during sleep
You should request a consultation with your nearest Digestive Health Center provider if you notice intense itching on much of your body or if you feel exhausted more than usual. It is exceptionally important to mention these symptoms to your provider if you have a type of inflammatory bowel disease IBD, like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
How is PSC treated?
The medical community has not identified a cure for PSC. Most treatment protocols involve treating the narrowed bile ducts and the complications and symptoms associated with the disease. Our Ocean Springs, MS gastroenterologists may recommend one or more of the options listed here to treat PSC:
- Remain at a healthy weight
- Antibiotics for infections
- Liver transplant surgery
- Avoid consuming alcohol
- Surgery to temporarily open bile duct obstructions
- Stents to treat narrowed or blocked bile ducts
- Nutrition support therapy
- Exercise
- Use topical creams to manage itching symptoms
- Balloon dilation procedure for constricted bile ducts
Expert care for chronic liver disease
As a chronic liver condition, primary sclerosing cholangitis may impact your health in various aspects, and without treatment, it may result in additional health problems. However, our GI team at Digestive Health Center is here to provide the personalized care required to help boost your quality of life. To locate a provider who offers primary sclerosing cholangitis treatment in Ocean Springs, MS, please contact one of our locations in your community.
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Dr McNair has treated me since 1983. My Mother n law was seriously ill in SRH. Dr McNair came in ICU and saved her life. That year 1983 I made an appt to be one of his patients. He had not been on the Coast very long at all. But took me as new patient…I still am a patient of Dr A McNair. He’s Brilliant. I love the whole team❤️ May 1, 2023
Personally I think Dr. McNair is a blessing. He's been my doctor for years. He's awesome and cares for each of his patients as if they were family. He takes the time to go over his findings very thoroughly with each patient from that patients procedure and this is a wonderful thing because people want to know what is going on with them sooner than later. He answers questions and gets to the bottom of things. What a wonderful doctor he is!
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Dr. Is awesome. The wait to get in and while there sucks.
I am definitely appreciative & thankful for Dr. Angela Pressley Wallace. She is very easy to work with, honest, understanding, very knowledgeable about her career being a physician, cares for her patients, terrific leader, kind hearted, genuine. One of the best & top Gastroenterologist Physicians in the Gulfport, MS area. I highly recommend Dr. Angela Pressley Wallace❗️You will not be disappointed.
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