Understanding Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Its Links to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

When it comes to liver health, primary sclerosing [skla-row-sing] cholangitis [co-lan-jy-tis] (PSC) is a disease that’s hard to understand, and is often connected to a condition called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Nadege Gunn, a renowned gastroenterologist and hepatologist, shares the need for awareness and personalized care in managing this complex autoimmune disease. 

People with PSC might have no symptoms at all, or they could have serious ones like stomach pain, itching, feeling really tired, and in worse cases, jaundice (yellow skin) and trouble thinking clearly. Since there’s no set treatment for it yet, it’s important to find it early and keep a close watch on it. Doctors figure out if someone has PSC by doing special blood tests and scans to see how well the liver’s working and if the tubes carrying bile are okay. Catching PSC early can help prevent liver damage or the need for a liver transplant. 

The connection between PSC and IBD makes caring for the disease more complicated. Doctors have to do careful tests to watch out for problems, like colon cancer, that can come with these conditions. Dr. Gunn notes that because these diseases often run in families, people with relatives who have similar problems need to be extra careful and get checked regularly. 

Dr. Gunn wants everyone to know that being proactive about your health is key. Seeing the doctor regularly, following their advice, and making smart choices about your lifestyle are super important when dealing with PSC. Additionally, she thinks joining a clinical research study can further support people living with PSC, and get them better access to the care they need.