Autoimmune Liver Disease in Bahrain
Hepatology/Liver
OUR DOCTORS
Dr Vinoda Metta
Consultant - Neurology
Dr Ranjeev Bhangoo
Consultant - Neurosurgery
Dr Imtiaz Ahmed Hashmi
Specialist - Orthopaedic Surgery
Autoimmune liver diseases are uncommon conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the liver or bile ducts. They can affect people of any age and often develop gradually, sometimes causing symptoms for years before a diagnosis is made.
While these conditions are chronic, many people are able to manage them successfully with effective autoimmune liver disease treatment in Bahrain and regular specialist follow-up. At King’s College Hospital London, Dubai Bahrain Clinic, patients can access specialist assessment, diagnostic testing, and ongoing care for autoimmune liver conditions, from newly diagnosed cases to more advanced disease.
What is autoimmune liver disease?
Autoimmune liver disease refers to several conditions where the immune system attacks the liver or bile ducts instead of protecting them. These are long-term conditions that need regular monitoring and treatment to prevent liver damage.
The most common autoimmune liver diseases include:
- Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
- Autoimmune overlap syndromes
What does autoimmune liver disease do?
Autoimmune liver disease causes inflammation that slowly damages liver cells or bile ducts. Over time, this can make it harder for the liver to process nutrients, remove toxins, and make important proteins.
Some autoimmune liver diseases mainly affect the liver, while others target the bile ducts that carry bile from the liver. If not treated, ongoing inflammation can cause scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, high blood pressure in the liver (portal hypertension), and even liver failure.
When should you see us?
Many people with autoimmune liver disease do not have symptoms at first. Others may notice symptoms slowly appearing over months or years.
You may want to see a liver specialist if you have any of the following:
- Ongoing fatigue that cannot be explained
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Persistent itching
- Unexplained abdominal discomfort
- Joint pain or swelling
- Abnormal liver blood test results
- Enlarged abdomen
- A family history of autoimmune disease
- Existing autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease
What conditions do we treat ?
Our liver specialists diagnose and offer comprehensive Autoimmune hepatitis treatment Bahrain alongside management for many types of autoimmune liver conditions, such as:
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
- Autoimmune overlap syndromes
- Autoimmune-related cirrhosis
- Complex liver inflammation disorders
Who are the best doctors for autoimmune liver disease in Bahrain?
The best doctors for autoimmune liver disease in Bahrain are Dr. Farooq Khan and Dr. Pooja Khanna.
These doctors diagnose and treat complex liver conditions, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, cirrhosis, and other long-term liver diseases.
Why choose King's Bahrain Clinic?
Autoimmune liver disease often requires long-term specialist care, particularly when symptoms are complex or liver damage is already present. At King’s Bahrain Clinic, patients are assessed by hepatology specialists who focus on identifying the cause of liver inflammation, monitoring disease progression, and tailoring autoimmune liver disease treatment in Bahrain to the individual.
How can I book an appointment?
Whether you have recently been diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease or are looking for a second opinion, our team can help. To arrange an appointment, call King’s Bahrain Clinic or complete the online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch.
If you have already undergone blood tests, imaging, or treatment elsewhere, bringing those records to your appointment can help your specialist gain a clearer picture of your liver health.
FAQs
King’s College Hospital London, Dubai Bahrain Clinic is a top choice for autoimmune liver disease care in Bahrain. Patients have access to liver specialists, advanced tests, and referrals to highly specialized liver services if needed.
The best doctors for autoimmune liver disease in Bahrain are Dr. Farooq Khan and Dr. Pooja Khanna.
Doctors do not fully understand the exact cause. They think a mix of genetics, immune system issues, and environmental factors may trigger the disease in some people.
Most autoimmune liver diseases cannot be cured right now, but proper autoimmune liver disease treatment in Bahrain can often control inflammation, slow the disease, and help people live normal lives for many years.
Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease where the immune system attacks liver cells. This causes long-term inflammation and, without prompt autoimmune hepatitis treatment Bahrain, can lead to cirrhosis.
Primary biliary cholangitis is an autoimmune disease that slowly damages the small bile ducts in the liver. This can cause bile to build up and may lead to liver scarring over time.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a long-term disease that causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts. This can block bile flow and lead to ongoing liver damage.
To diagnose autoimmune liver disease, doctors may use blood tests, liver function tests, autoimmune antibody tests, imaging like ultrasound, CT or MRI scans, FibroScan, and sometimes a liver biopsy.
Yes. If inflammation is not controlled for many years, autoimmune liver disease can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly lower this risk.
Many people need long-term or lifelong check-ups and medication to keep their immune system under control and prevent the disease from coming back.