What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. It is usually caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis and secondary hepatitis caused by drugs, drugs, toxins and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body produces antibodies against liver tissue.
Your liver is located on the upper right side of the abdomen. It performs many key functions that affect the metabolism of the entire body, including:
- The production of bile is essential for digestion
- Filter toxins from the body
- Excretion of bilirubin (product of broken down red blood cells), cholesterol, hormones and drugs
- Carbohydrate, fat and protein breakdown
- Enzyme activation, which is a special protein essential for body function
- Storage of glycogen (a form of sugar), minerals and vitamins (A, D, E and K)
- Synthesis of blood proteins, such as photo albums
5 types of viral hepatitis
Liver viral infections classified as hepatitis include hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis transmitted by each virus is caused by a different virus.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. The most common form of this type of hepatitis is spread by eating food or water contaminated with the feces of people infected with hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted by contact with infectious body fluids containing hepatitis B virus (HBV), such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen. Injecting drugs, having sex with an infected partner, or sharing a razor with an infected person can increase your risk of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, usually through injecting drugs and sexual contact. HCV is one of the most common bloodborne viral infections in the United States
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D, also known as delta hepatitis, is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV is infected by direct contact with infected blood. Hepatitis D is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs at the same time as a hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis Eis a waterborne disease caused by Hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly seen in areas with poor sanitation, usually caused by ingestion of feces that contaminate water sources.
Causes of non-communicable hepatitis
Alcohol and other toxins
Excessive drinking can cause liver damage and inflammation. It is sometimes called alcoholic hepatitis. Alcohol can directly damage your liver cells. Over time, it may cause permanent damage and lead to liver failure and cirrhosis, liver thickening and scar formation.
Autoimmune system response
In some cases, the immune system mistakes the liver for harmful objects and begins to attack the liver. It causes persistent inflammation, which can range from mild to severe, and usually hinders liver function. The incidence of women is three times that of men.
Common symptoms of hepatitis
If you have chronic infectious hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and C, then you may have no symptoms at first. Before the damage affects liver function, symptoms may not appear.
- fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Black urine
- Pale stool
- stomach ache
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Yellow skin and eyes, may be a sign of jaundice
How to diagnose hepatitis
History and physical examination
To diagnose hepatitis, your doctor will first determine any risk factors for you that may have infectious or non-infectious hepatitis based on your medical history.
During a physical examination, your doctor may gently press down on your abdomen to see if there is pain or tenderness. Your doctor may also feel whether your liver is enlarged. If your skin or eyes are yellow, your doctor will pay attention to this during the examination.
Liver function test
Liver function tests use blood samples to determine the efficiency of the liver. The abnormal results of these tests may be the first sign of a problem, especially if you do not show any signs on the physical examination of liver disease. High liver enzyme levels may indicate that your liver is under stress, damaged or not functioning properly.
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