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7 Tips for Living With Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Doctor William C Lloyd Healthgrades Medical Reviewer
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Sarah Handzel, BSN, RN on February 12, 2022
  • smiling-confidant-woman
    PBC is a lifelong condition.
    Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, or life-long, liver disease that mainly affects women between the ages of 30 and 60 years old. Even though it usually progresses slowly, this disease causes irreversible damage to your liver, putting you at risk for certain complications like liver cancer, liver scarring (cirrhosis), and brittle bones (osteoporosis). But with certain changes, you can help slow the progress of the disease and make living with PBC easier.
  • Woman taking pill
    1. Keep up with your medications.
    Taking the medications your doctor prescribed to treat PBC is essential for helping slow down the progression of the disease. Certain medications, like ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), must be taken every day to help your body move bile through your liver. Another medication, called obeticholic acid (Ocaliva), is taken daily to help your liver make less bile and move bile it does produce into your small intestine. Bile helps your body digest food and a get rid of toxins, extra cholesterol, and damaged red blood cells. There is no cure for PBC, but prescription medications make the difference in delaying the onset of symptoms and complications.
  • Blood test
    2. Get your blood checked regularly.
    A key part of monitoring how PBC affects your body involves having regular blood tests performed by your doctor. PBC causes liver function to decline slowly over many years, and blood tests, such as liver function tests and tests that measure cholesterol levels, can indicate whether your condition is getting worse. Your results may also show if certain complications, like vitamin deficiencies, are developing. Depending on your blood tests, your doctor may recommend changes to your treatment regimen.
  • chewing-gum-in-wrapper
    3. Tackle dry mouth head on.
    One of the most common symptoms of PBC is dry mouth. This issue can cause significant discomfort and can eventually lead to dental problems, like tooth decay. Sucking on sugar-free hard candies or chewing sugar-free gum is a good way to stimulate your salivary glands to produce more saliva, which helps manage the health of your mouth and teeth. You can also help keep your mouth wet by frequently taking sips of water throughout your day.
  • Man carrying full shopping basket in grocery store
    4. Make dietary changes.
    Living with a liver disease like PBC means making dietary changes to help prevent the condition and your symptoms from getting worse. You should stop drinking alcoholic beverages, since alcohol adds stress to your already damaged liver. Similarly, fatty foods can cause extra stress on your liver and should be avoided. Also, stay away from foods containing high amounts of sodium, as this salt can cause you to retain fluid and lead to swollen tissues and fluid buildup.
  • senior woman working out at home
    5. Exercise frequently.
    Weak, brittle bones, or osteoporosis, is another common complication of primary biliary cholangitis. In many cases, osteoporosis is caused by vitamin D deficiency that occurs because of PBC. If you develop this bone issue, you are more likely to experience bone fractures or breaks. You can help avoid this complication by exercising at least three days each week. Even simple exercises like walking are good for helping boost bone density and preventing osteoporosis.
  • woman-with-headache
    6. Accept help when you need it.
    If you have PBC, you may notice you are more fatigued than usual. Many people with this liver disease report increased levels of fatigue that interfere with their daily lives. It is important to rely on help if you need to in order to accomplish daily goals. Ask a friend of family member to go grocery shopping for you, or pick up your kids from school. This can help you get the rest you need to feel better.
  • Diverse Group of Girl Friends
    7. Join a support group.
    Since PBC is a chronic condition, and there is no known cure for the disease, it can be very hard to come to terms with your diagnosis. Organizations like the American Liver Foundation facilitate support group meetings, both online and in person, to help you cope with your illness and talk to others who know exactly what you are going through. Joining a support group can make a tremendous difference in your outlook and emotional health and wellbeing.
7 Tips for Living With Primary Biliary Cholangitis
  1. Primary Biliary Cholangitis. American Liver Foundation. https://www.liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/diseases-of-the-liver/primary-biliary-cholangitis/#support-groups
  2. Primary biliary cholangitis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/primary-biliary-cholangitis-pbc/symptoms-causes/syc-20376874
  3. Primary biliary cholangitis (primary biliary cirrhosis). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/primary-biliary-cholangitis
  4. Primary Biliary Cholangitis. National Organization for Rare Disorders. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/primary-biliary-cholangitis/
  5. Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC). Merck Manual Professional Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic-and-biliary-disorders/fibrosis-and-cirrhosis/primary-biliary-cirrhosis-pbc
  6. Primary biliary cholangitis. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7459/primary-biliary-cholangitis
  7. Dry mouth treatment: Tips for controlling dry mouth. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/expert-answers/dry-mouth/faq-20058424
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Last Review Date: 2022 Feb 12