Liver Disorders
Hepatitis A : is transferred by the means of infected food and water.
Hepatitis B : The hepatitis B virus is spread by the means of contact with infected blood, semen and other body fluids. This infection can be acquired by unprotected intercourse with an affected partner, use of HBV (hepatitis B virus) infected syringes, sharing toothbrush, piercings and razor of an HBV infected person, transfusion of HBV infected blood, etc. It can also be transferred to a baby from an infected mother through breast feeding.
Hepatitis C : The means of transfer of the disease is same as those mentioned of the previous kind of hepatitis, except that the feces is not a route of spread of hepatitis C.
Hepatitis D : There is a rule that only a person infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D. Infection spreads through contact with hepatitis D infected blood, unprotected sex with the infected person and via infected needles.
Symptoms of Hepatitis :
Acute phase hepatitis symptoms :
This is the initial phase of hepatitis. It includes the following symptoms :
- Flu-like illness
- Easy fatigue
- Loss of weight
- Diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- abdominal pain
- muscle and joint pain
- nausea and vomiting
- As the disease progresses, the condition of the patient worsens and following symptoms may be noticed:
- Dizziness
- Problems with blood circulation (only in drug induced hepatitis)
- Dark colored urine
- Drowsiness
- Enlarged spleen
- Headache
- Hives
- Itchy skin
- Yellowing of skin, eyes and nails
- Light colored feces, which may also contain pus
Treatments for Hepatitis :
Following are mentioned the treatments for hepatitis, in accordance to their types :
Hepatitis A : There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A. However, the doctor shall advise you to abstain from meat, oil, alcohol, etc. This type of hepatitis resolves itself within days.
Hepatitis B : Hepatitis B patients need bed rest. They also need a diet that comprises proteins and carbohydrates, which the liver requires for the repair of damaged cells. The doctor may also advise Interferon, which is an anti-viral agent, according to the patient’s condition
Hepatitis C : Such patients are usually prescribed with anti-viral drugs such as pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Hepatitis D : There is no specific treatment present as yet.
NASH
- NASH stands for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. It describes the condition of a fatty liver which is inflamed. The incidence of NASH is more in people who are overweight or obese.
- This disease of the liver may not necessarily present with signs and symptoms, and the patient may feel normal.
- However, NASH may lead to a condition of liver known as ‘cirrhosis’, which is the advanced stage of the disease in which, the liver gets hardened and quite damaged.
- Fatigue may present as a symptom at any stage of the disease
- When NASH advances, weight loss and weakness may occur. Weight loss is also a symptom of cirrhosis.
- One may suspect NASH if blood tests of the patient reveal high levels of liver enzymes, and also if the scans show fatty deposition in liver.
- Further diagnosis and examination of NASH requires biopsy, which can be performed by obtaining a piece of liver tissue.
- NASH patients must work upon reduction of weight, should avoid alcohol, increase physical activity, and keep away from unnecessary drug intake.