Cholangitis is an inflammation of the bile duct system that is usually related to a bacterial infection. It may occur as a result of blockage and/or inflammation of the bile ducts. Bile is normally sterile but can become infected with bacteria when obstruction of the bile ducts occurs.

The most frequent symptoms are a discomforting sense of pressure or pain in the center of the chest which can last over 20 minutes or can come and go; pain radiating to the shoulders, neck or arms (usually the left arm); chest discomfort with a sense of dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea and shortness of breath.

Different people, of course, have different symptoms, but some of these may sound all too familiar to you:

The classic symptom of a heart attack is chest pain that is unrelieved by rest and often spreads or radiates through the upper body to the arms, neck, shoulders or jaw. However, some patients may only experience chest pressure/discomfort, with or without other symptoms such as the following: shortness of breath, palpitations, fainting, fatigue, sweating or nausea. In contrast with men, women are more likely to feel fatigue or nausea prior to a heart attack.

A good, easy to read article on PSC is as follows: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) [Jackson Gastoenterology].

exceptionally well-illustrated article on PSC is as follows: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (Johns Hopkins).

Adapted from "Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic", D.H. Barlow and M.G. Craske, Graywind Publicatons, Albany NY, 1994. When confronted with a real or perceived threat, the automatic "fight or flight" response may be triggered to prepare the body for immediate action. This evolutionary development in many organisms normally functions for survival and protection. It may become a panic attack when the emergency response occurs in a situation where it is not appropriate.

If you have stress incontinence, you may leak a small to medium amount of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise, or do similar things. If you have urge incontinence, you may feel a sudden urge to urinate and the need to urinate often. With this type of bladder control problem, you may leak a larger amount of urine that can soak your clothes or run down your legs.