Liver is an important organ of our body, which works to digest food, remove toxins and keep the body healthy, but sometimes there can be some problems in the liver which can affect its functioning. One such problem is cholestasis. Today in our article we will learn about this disease from Dr. Puneet Singla (Director and HOD - Institute of Liver Transplant and HPB Surgery, Maringo Asia Hospital Gurugram).

Dr. Puneet Singla said that this is a serious liver disorder in which the flow of bile juice from the liver stops or slows down. This condition can cause many problems in the body. Cholestasis is a condition in which the flow of bile juice from the liver stops. Bile juice is a liquid released from the liver that helps in digestion and removes toxins from the body. When this flow stops, toxins start accumulating in the body and many health problems start occurring.

symptoms-

When cholestasis occurs, certain symptoms appear in the body such as –

• Jaundice – this is the most common symptom of cholestasis
• Itching of the skin – intense itching without any reason
• Dark urine – urine becomes dark in color and smells bad
• Pale stools – the color of the stool becomes lighter than normal
• Fatigue and weakness – feeling of constant tiredness
• Abdominal pain – particularly in the right side of the abdomen

Reason-

• Pregnancy – some women may develop cholestasis during pregnancy
• Liver infection – Hepatitis and other liver infections can cause this
• Gallstones – stones in the gallbladder can block the flow of bile juice
• Excessive use of medication – Excessive consumption of some medicines affects the liver

Prevention

• Take a balanced diet – avoid excess oil, spices and junk food
• Avoid alcohol – alcohol damages the liver
• Get regular checkups – To avoid liver problems, get health checkups done from time to time
• Drink enough water – it is important to keep the body hydrated

Cholestasis is a serious liver problem, which can be dangerous to ignore. If you feel the symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. Getting timely treatment can prevent major damage to the liver. This problem can also be prevented by changing your diet and lifestyle.