Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment

The bile ducts are located in the liver and are needed to produce bile, which is a liquid substance required to break down and metabolize food. Bile is also necessary for removing toxins, cholesterol, and blood cells from the body. Primary biliary cirrhosis, an autoimmune condition, occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the bile ducts and slowly destroys them, resulting in liver damage and eventually cirrhosis. This condition causes the bile ducts to become inflamed and eventually collapse.