Learn About Cholestasis
Cholestasis is any condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is slowed or blocked.
Intrahepatic cholestasis; Extrahepatic cholestasis
There are many causes of cholestasis.
Extrahepatic cholestasis occurs outside the liver. It can be caused by:
- Bile duct tumors
- Cysts
- Narrowing of the bile duct (strictures)
- Stones in the common bile duct
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic tumor or pseudocyst
- Pressure on the bile ducts due to a nearby mass or tumor
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Intrahepatic cholestasis occurs inside the liver. It can be caused by:
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Amyloidosis
- Bacterial abscess in the liver
- Being fed exclusively through a vein (IV)
- Lymphoma
- Pregnancy
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Primary or metastatic liver cancer
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Serious infections that have spread through the bloodstream (sepsis)
- Tuberculosis
- Viral hepatitis
Certain medicines can also cause cholestasis, including:
- Antibiotics, such as ampicillin and other penicillins
- Anabolic steroids
- Birth control pills
- Chlorpromazine
- Cimetidine
- Estradiol
- Imipramine
- Prochlorperazine
- Terbinafine
- Tolbutamide
Symptoms may include:
- Clay-colored or white stools
- Dark urine
- Inability to digest certain foods
- Itching
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in the right upper part of the abdomen
- Yellow skin or eyes
The underlying cause of cholestasis must be treated.
NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System
Weill Medical College Of Cornell
Reem Sharaiha is a Gastroenterologist in New York, New York. Dr. Sharaiha has been practicing medicine for over 19 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Cholestasis. She is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Bile Duct Obstruction, Cholestasis, Bile Duct Stricture, and Hereditary Pancreatitis. She is licensed to treat patients in New York.
Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute
Shyam Varadarajulu is a Gastroenterologist in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Varadarajulu has been practicing medicine for over 29 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Cholestasis. He is also highly rated in 27 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Pseudocyst, Hereditary Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, and Jaundice. He is licensed to treat patients in Florida. Dr. Varadarajulu is currently accepting new patients.
The Hospital For Sick Children
Binita Kamath is in Toronto, Canada. Kamath is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Cholestasis. She is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Alagille Syndrome, Cholestasis, Biliary Hypoplasia, and Pulmonary Valve Stenosis.
How well a person does depends on the disease causing the condition. Stones in the common bile duct can often be removed. This can cure the cholestasis.
Stents can be placed to open areas of the common bile duct that are narrowed or blocked by cancers.
If the condition is caused by the use of a certain medicine, it will often go away when you stop taking that drug.
Complications may include:
- Diarrhea
- Organ failure can occur if sepsis develops
- Poor absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins
- Severe itching
- Weak bones (osteomalacia) due to having cholestasis for a very long time
Call your health care provider if you have:
- Itching that does not go away
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Other symptoms of cholestasis
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B if you are at risk. Do not use intravenous drugs and share needles.
Published Date : May 27, 2020
Published By : Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Eaton JE, Lindor KD. Primary biliary cholangitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 91.
Fogel EL, Sherman S. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 146.
Lidofsky SD. Jaundice. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 21.