Symptoms of Biliary Tract Disease

Biliary tract disease is actually a grouping of complications that essentially causes a blockage within one or more of the bile ducts of the liver. Gallstones are one of the more common reasons for the development of this condition, but you may also experience a blockage due to a tumor (both benign and malignant), a parasite, a pancreatic disorder or even AIDS. Regardless of what has caused the development of this disease, there are a number of symptoms that a person experiences when suffering from a blockage in the biliary tract.

Asymptomatic

• Many people suffering from a biliary tract disease manifest no symptoms of the condition, especially when the blockage is fairly small in size. It isn't until a test is run for a separate condition that the disease is even diagnosed.

Pain

• Of all the symptoms of a biliary tract disease, pain is by far the most common. This pain is usually isolated to the upper region of the abdomen, ranging in intensity from a mild tightness to sharp shooting pain. With this symptom, you may feel the pain for only minutes or upwards of several hours.

Jaundice

• It is also quite common for a person with a biliary tract disease to experience jaundice, which is a yellowing to the skin and eyes. For some, this symptom manifests without any other signs of the condition. For others, it is often accompanied by pain. No matter how this symptom presents itself, it's usually an indication that the blockage is relatively large in nature.

Sensitive Skin

• Many times, a biliary tract disease triggers an increased sensitivity within the skin, frequently manifesting as an itching sensation. While this feeling is commonly isolated to the feet and hands, it may become more generalized, affecting other areas of the body. When present, the sensation typically worsens at night.

Fatigue

• Along with the other symptoms, many people with a biliary tract disease begin to suffer from an unexplained feeling of fatigue or exhaustion. Sometimes, this is the first symptom a person experience with this condition, but it may also manifest after other signs have formed.

Weight Loss

• It isn't uncommon for a person with a biliary tract disease to also suffer from a loss in weight. This is largely due to a deprivation of nutrients caused by the biliary blockage, which is an indication of a fairly serious form of the disease.