How to Identify Cholestasis

Cholestasis is caused by an obstruction in the normal flow of bile -- which is a yellow or greenish thick digestive fluid that aids in the digestion of fats. Such blockage may occur outside the liver (extrahepatic) or inside the liver (intrahepatic). Extrahepatic cholestasis is caused by various factors such as abnormal narrowing (strictures) of the bile ducts, growth of tumors in the bile ducts, inflammation of a diverticulum of the colon (diverticulitis), cysts or tumors from neighboring organs, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), and pancreatic tumor. Intrahepatic cholestasis on the other hand, is caused by the following: reactions to certain type of drugs (drug-induced cholestasis), localized accumulation of pus caused by bacterial infection, malignant tumor of a lymphoid tissue (lymphoma), presence of infection on nearby organs, alcoholic liver disease, and pregnancy. Obstructions from any of these factors will cause the bile pigment (bilirubin), bile salts and lipids or fats to be deposited in the blood stream instead of being excreted, leading to manifestations of symptoms.

Instructions

How to Identify Symptoms of Cholestasis

• 1

  Look to see if there is any sign of jaundice. Icterus or jaundice is the most prominent symptom of cholestasis. It is a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, sclera (the white part of the eyes), tissues, and body fluids. This is caused by deposition of bile pigments (bilirubin) in the blood stream.

• 2

  Check if the color of your urine appears darker than normal. When cholestasis occurs, bile will abnormally be deposited within the blood stream. These deposits will then be filtered by the kidneys and are excreted as dark urine.

• 3

  Observe if you experience severe itchiness of the skin. Elevated deposits of bile acids within the bloodstream will cause annoying itchiness of skin (pruritus). This will bring about major discomfort to the patient, hampering their sleep and overall concentration. It may also lead to bad skin injuries such as xanthomas which are small white papules that results from continuous friction applied when rubbing or scratching.

• 4

  Try to see if you have a light-colored stool. Due to the presence of obstruction, bile is unable to flow through the intestines, resulting to a clay-colored stool (acholic stools).

• 5

  Monitor your ability to digest. Inability to digest certain type of foods may occur. Bile helps in the digestion of fats; so if there is none of it secreted in the digestive tract, the patient may experience an ineffective digestion and absorption of fats.

• 6

  Notice if you ever feel pain. Pain at the right upper area of the abdomen may be felt by some patients. This may be associated with nausea and vomiting, especially when the pain is severe.

• 7

  Step on to the weighing scale to find out if you're losing weight. Reduced weight may occur due to inefficient absorption of fats.

• 8

  Check for other symptoms such as fevers, chills, or skin rashes. This may occur as a result of a drug-induced cholestasis.