Hepatitis : Types, Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment And Complications

January 6, 2021 Liza 0

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver. It generally occurs due to viral infection. And some other causes of hepatitis include autoimmune hepatitis. It occurs as a result of medications, toxins, drugs, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis disease occurs when our body starts making antibodies against the liver tissue. Our liver is located in the right upper area of the abdomen. The liver performs a lot of critical functions that affect metabolism in our body that are as follows:-

Enzymes activation,
synthesis of clotting,
Production of bile for digestion,
Filtering of toxins from the body,
Synthesis of albumin (blood proteins),
Breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins,
Excretion of bilirubin, hormones, cholesterol, and drugs,
Storage of glycogen, minerals, and vitamins (A, D, E, and K),

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.4 million Americans are suffering from chronic hepatitis B and C. Many people are unaware of the fact that they have hepatitis. If you are looking for different treatment options then it varies according to the type of hepatitis you have. Through immunizations and lifestyle precautions you can easily prevent hepatitis.

5 Common Types of Viral Hepatitis

Viral infections of the liver are classified as hepatitis which is Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Different types of viruses virally transmit hepatitis disease. Hepatitis A is a short-term disease and is acute, while hepatitis B, C, and D are ongoing and chronic whereas Hepatitis E is also acute but is dangerous for pregnant women.

Hepatitis A

It is caused due to infection through the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is most easily transmitted by consuming contaminated food or water or from a person infected with hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B

When you get in contact with infectious body fluids like blood, vaginal secretions, or semen that contains hepatitis B virus (HBV) then hepatitis B occurs. Use of injection or having sex with an infected partner, or sharing razors might increase the risk of getting Hepatitis B. Approx 1.2 million people in the United States and 350 million people worldwide are suffering from this chronic disease according to CDC.

Hepatitis C

It comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is transmitted when a person comes in direct contact with the infected body fluids. It could be through injection, or drug use or sexual contact as well. HCV is a common blood borne viral infection and around 2.5 to 4 million Americans are currently strugglings with this infection.

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D is also known as delta hepatitis and is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). It occurs when a person comes in direct contact with the infected blood. Hepatitis D occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. The hepatitis D virus is unable to multiply itself without the presence of hepatitis B.

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease that occurs due to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). This disease occurs where there is poor sanitation. It usually results from contaminated water usage.

Know the Causes of Noninfectious hepatitis

Alcohol and other toxins

Excessive alcohol consumption might cause liver damage and inflammation and is termed as alcoholic hepatitis. The alcohol directly affects the cells of the liver and causes permanent damage which leads to liver failure and cirrhosis. Other causes of hepatitis are the overuse or overdose of medications.

Autoimmune System Response

In some cases, the immune system considers the liver as a harmful object and attacks it which causes mild to severe inflammation. It hinders the functioning of the liver. It is three times more common in women than that in men.

Common Symptoms of Hepatitis

If you are suffering from infectious hepatitis like hepatitis B and C that are chronic then you will not experience symptoms in the beginning. Symptoms only occur when liver functions get affected.

The signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis appear very quickly that are as follows:-

Fatigue
dark urine
pale stool
abdominal pain
loss of appetite
flu-like symptoms
sudden weight loss
yellow skin and eyes, (signs of jaundice)

Chronic hepatitis generally develops slowly due to which its signs and symptoms are too subtle to notice.

Diagnosis of Hepatitis

To diagnose hepatitis, a doctor will check your medical history to determine risk factors that you may have for hepatitis. During the physical examination doctor press, your abdomen gently to check if you have pain or not. Your doctor will check to see if your liver is enlarged. If your skin or eyes gets yellowish then he will notice it when you reach him. Blood samples are also required to determine how well your liver is functioning. Abnormal results indicate that there is a problem, especially when no signs are shown up during the physical exam of liver disease. High liver enzyme levels indicate that the liver has been damaged and is not functioning properly. If your liver is functioning abnormally then your doctor will ask you to go through a test to check for viruses that cause hepatitis. You might also have to check for antibodies in conditions like autoimmune hepatitis.