Patient information: Primary biliary cirrhosis (The Basics)
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate.  All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.

What is primary biliary cirrhosis? — Primary biliary cirrhosis (called “PBC” here) is a disease that damages the liver. The liver is a big organ in the upper right side of the belly. PBC happens when the body’s infection-fighting system, called the “immune system,” attacks the liver.

PBC is a serious disease. It can scar the liver and make it stop working. This can cause death. Most people who get PBC are women, but men sometimes get it.

What are the symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis? — Some people with PBC have no symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they can include:
●Feeling very tired – People who have PBC are often sleepy in the daytime, even if they slept at night.
●Itching – This can be worse at night, if a person wears tight or itchy clothes, or in hot weather.
●Skin changes – These can include:
•Dry skin
•Hives – Red, puffy areas that happen where a person scratches or rubs the skin.
•Dark patches on the skin
•Yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes – This is called “jaundice.”
●Pain in the joints
●Dry eyes and mouth
●Belly pain (on the upper right side of the belly)
●Losing weight without trying
●Memory and thinking problems

How is primary biliary cirrhosis treated? — Doctors treat PBC with medicines to slow down the liver damage. Other treatments include:
●Diet changes – For example, some people with PBC need to eat less fat.
●Vitamins – Some people with PBC do not get enough of certain vitamins from food. If you are not getting enough vitamins, the doctor can tell you which vitamins to take and how much. Do NOT take any vitamins or medicines without talking to your doctor or nurse first.
●Medicines to treat health problems caused by PBC, such as itching or anemia (having too few red blood cells)
●Liver transplant – If your PBC is severe, or the medicines to slow down liver damage do not work, you might need a new liver. During a transplant, a doctor does surgery to replace the damaged liver with a healthy one.

Ask your doctor if you might need a liver transplant for PBC. If you do, your doctor will do more tests to make sure you are healthy enough for this kind of surgery. Then your doctor will put you on a waiting list for a liver transplant. Liver transplants are given to people with the most damaged livers first. People often have to wait up to 2 years for a new liver.

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We're having another Open House this Sunday June 15th from 2 - 4pm.  What a great father's day present!

Thank you to all of you who are supporting me for the ALS walk in Ottawa next Saturday June 14th!  My incredible sponsors, Don flying all the way from St. Maarten, Annemarie, my lovely Kappa sister coming in from Toronto, and Brittany who is never too busy to be there for me and has offered to host a get-together at her place after the walk!  There is still time if you want to sponsor me at www.walkforals.ca you can sponsor me under Carol Skinner or Living Loving Laughing Walkers (I promise you Brittany there will be no zombies that day!).  You are also welcome to join my team and walk with us!

Below is what is happening in our area in terms of awareness:

June is ALS Awareness Month.  It is a busy time in our region with walks, media coverage and flag raisings to raise both awareness and funds to support the ALS community.  Following is an update of activities happening in our region during the month of June, with a focus on raising awareness.  I will provide great detailer, pictures and updates in my next newsletter (mid summer).

In Ottawa
Flag Raising and Proclamation – Mayor Jim Watson attended a flag raising ceremony at City Hall on June 2nd.  At that time he also proclaimed the month of June to be ALS Awareness Month across Ottawa.  The ALS flag will be flown at City Hall for the entire month of June – great awareness opportunity!

Rogers Daytime – Client and ALS spokesperson Brian Parsons spoke on Rogers Daytime on Thursday, June 5th,  of the importance of raising awareness of ALS and increasing the Compassionate care Benefit Plan for a Caregivers of ALS clients.

Ottawa Citizen – ALS spokesperson Karen Lawrence was interviewed for a story in the Ottawa Citizen, today, June 6th.  To read the article click on the following link: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/als-gene-tests-allow-woman-to-focus-and-get-in-the-race

Loblaws BBQ – Blair and Ogilvie store – Loblaws is hosting a BBQ tomorrow – Saturday, June 7th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to raise awareness and funds for the ALS community.  If you are in the area, please go out to Loblaws and thank store manager Alan Lawrie for his support of the ALS community and the volunteers for taking their Saturday to help raise awareness

Gatineau Garage Sale – Sister-in-law of an ALS client in the community, Sharon B. is hosting a huge garage sale at her home to raise awareness and funds for the Ottawa Walk.  The sale will be held on Saturday, June 7th at 103 Bagot, Gatineau, Ontario.

Ottawa-Gatineau Walk – The walk will be held on Saturday, June 14th at the Canadian War Museum, registration is at 10 a.m and the walk begins at 11 a.m. Thank you to Brian Parsons and his family for leading out the Ottawa Walk and Brian for the incredible work he is doing in raising awareness and advocating for the ALS community.

East of Ottawa
Cornwall Walk – the Cornwall walk will be held tomorrow, Saturday, June 7th at St. Lawrence College.  A free BBQ and refreshments for all participants will follow the walk.  A big thank you goes out to our Lead walker Brian Tardiff and his famiy.

West of Ottawa
Almonte Walk – the Almonte walk will be held Saturday, June 14th at the Almonte Civitan Club.   A free BBQ and refreshments for all participants will follow the walk.  Thank you goes out to Trevor Cranney and his family for the awareness of ALS they are raising in their community.

3rd Annual John Leal Memorial Golf Tournament – Just beyond the month of June – this golf tournament is being held on Saturday, July 5th! 18 Holes, Golf Cart, full supper all included. Major sponsor is Labatt (Bud Light) again! 
*****Every Person who enters the tournament has a Chance to win the Trip to HAWAII sponsored by the Petawawa Golf Club.*****
Cost will be $80 per golfer and this will include 18 holes of golfing, golf cart rental, and a great buffet supper put on by the Petawawa Golf Club.  For more information click on the following link: https://m.facebook.com/events/1451831291719331.  Thank you to the Leal family for their ongoing support.