User:Mr. Ibrahem/Cholestasis

Cholestasis is a condition of decreased bile production or flow from the liver to the intestines. Symptoms may include itchiness, fatty stool, tiredness, fatty deposits in the skin, and yellowish skin and eyes. Complications may include deficiencies of fat soluble vitamins.

The causes are divided into those outside the liver and those within the liver. Causes outside the liver include common bile duct stones, bile duct strictures, sclerosing cholangitis, bile duct cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Causes within the liver include viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, certain medications, pregnancy, sepsis, cystic fibrosis, and primary biliary cholangitis. Blood tests may show a high direct bilirubin and serum alkaline phosphatase.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and symptoms. Blockages of the bile ducts may be treated by surgery. Itchiness may be improved with cholestyramine, ursodeoxycholic acid, antihistamines, and naloxone. Other options for itchiness may include light therapy and plasmapheresis. Cholestasis is common, with blockage of bile ducts the most frequent type. The term "cholestasis" is from the Greek for "standing still of bile".