Hepatitis literally means inflammation of the liver. This condition can become serious in some cases. In this article we reveal useful information about hepatitis and its various types.

Hepatitis and Liver

In some, hepatitis heals on its own while in others it can go on to affect the liver. Acute (Initial) hepatitis can last up to six months, and chronic hepatitis can take longer to heal. Liver damage is mostly caused by three types of hepatitis viruses which are A, B and C. Hepatitis can occur due to over-consumption of alcohol and infections by toxins. Sometimes, the body’s autoimmune process misfires and attacks the body.

Incidence of Hepatitis

Hepatitis B affects around 250 million people worldwide while hepatitis C has affected 300 million patients around the globe. Not all hepatitis types are infectious.

Causes of Non-infectious Hepatitis

Chemicals, certain medicines and alcohol can inflame the liver. Other causes are genetic issues, metabolic disorders or immune related injuries. Obesity is also a leading cause of liver inflammation. All these are causes of non-infectious hepatitis which does not spread from one person to another.

Types of Hepatitis

Viruses cause five main kinds of hepatitis which are A, B, C, D and E. Additionally, there are also types X and G.

Hepatitis A

Mostly this type of hepatitis occurs due to consuming infected water or food. The Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is the culprit. Oral-anal sexual contact can also cause Hepatitis A. But, it is not a dangerous type as most people recover fully and also it does not usually bloom into chronic disease.

Hepatitis B

This type is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).

Causes of Hepatitis B

• Contacting infected body fluids like blood, semen etc.
• Having unprotected sex with infected persons. Using syringes that have been already used by infected persons. Thus, drug addicts and steroid users are at grave risk.
• Persons getting tattoos are at risk because the tattoo artist may use an unsterilized needle. People in the healthcare industry also need to ensure they are not accidentally pricked with an infected needle. Another common cause of Hepatitis B is using the razor or toothbrush of an infected individual.
• An infected mother can pass on the virus to her baby through her breast milk.
• An infected person’s bite is also dangerous as it spreads the infection.

Effects of Hepatitis B

The liver swells and serious damage to this organ can occur, even leading to cancer. In some cases, the disease becomes chronic. For these reasons, donated blood needs to be carefully checked to detect Hepatitis B virus.

Hepatitis C

Usually this disease spreads because of direct contact with the infected blood of a patient. The infection can swell and damage the liver. Only cirrhosis patients are likely to get liver cancer because of Hepatitis C. And, only 20 percent of hep C sufferers contract cirrhosis. This disease is not spread through feces. Again, donated blood needs to be checked to detect the hep C virus.

Hepatitis D

Only hep B patients go on to contract hep D. The hep D virus spreads through using infected needles, unprotected sex and contacting infected blood. The virus causes the liver to swell up.

Hepatitis E

The main causes of infection are drinking virus-contaminated water and practicing oral-anal sex. Again, the liver becomes swollen but there are no long term effects.

Hepatitis Symptoms

The symptoms are usually mild or sometimes there may be no signs at all. Initial symptoms include:

• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Slight abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Muscle or joint aches
• Mild fever
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea

The initial phase is usually harmless, but if the disease becomes serious it can even cause death. In chronic cases, the following symptoms may be seen:

• Dark urine
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Itchy skin
• Hives
• Headache
• Yellow tongue, eyes and skin (jaundice)

Hepatitis Treatments

Hepatitis A

Usually, no treatment is required. However, patients need to avoid drugs and alcohol during recovery. Most patients recover on their own.

Hepatitis B

Bed rest is essential. Patients need a diet rich in carbs and proteins to repair damaged cells in the liver and to protect this vital organ. If there is no progress, the antiviral agent Interferon is prescribed.

Hepatitis C

Treated with ribavirin and pegylated interferon.

Hepatitis D or E

No effective treatments have been discovered for these types.

How to Prevent Hepatitis

• After using the toilet, wash your hands clean with a good soap.
• Drink boiled water or bottled water of good quality.
• Get vaccinated for hepatitis if you have to travel to endemic areas.
• Always practice protected and safe sex.
• Use fresh, unused syringes.
• Do not share manicure instruments, razors and toothbrushes.
• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption.

Summary

Hepatitis can be avoided by taking the above precautions and adopting good hygiene and common sense. Consult your doctor and ask him/her whether getting vaccinated for hepatitis would be a good idea.

Heme is an essential component of blood so in case its production is hindered which can result in acute consequences. The presence of this condition have long lasting symptoms which can even affect the skin of the body.

Symptoms Of Variegate Porhyria:

The symptoms of Variegate Porhyria includes:

• Acute pain in abdomen
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Weakness in the muscles
• Seizures
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• In case skin is sensitive then pigmentation of the skin, Increased hair growth, blistering, scarring will appear on the skin
• Skin becomes fragile and gets damaged easily.

Causes Of Vriegate Porhyria:

The causes of variegate porhyria are considered as the autosomal inheritance of a gene which gets mutated. The person shaving this mutated gene have the diminish activity of the enzyme called protoprophyrinogen oxidase enzyme protein. This gene remains silent for some time and show aits symptoms after a small span of time.

Types Of Porhyria:

Few types of variegate porhyria includes:

• Acute intermittent proporhyria
• Variegate proporhyria
• Heriditary coproporhyria
• Porhyria cutanea tarda
• Erythropoietic protoporhyria
• Congenital porhyria

Treatment Of Variegate Porhyria:

Since in this condition mutation in the gene takes place so there is no relevant treatment for curing it. Although the symptoms can be treated alone. For curing this condition completely it is necessary to remove the entire liver then only condition can be totally cured.

Signs And Symptoms Of Bladder Cysts:

The signs and symptoms of bladder cysts includes:

• Colour of urine turns dark while that of stool changes into light color
• Urinary difficulty will be noticed. Problem will be there in urine discharge
• Bowel movements will face problems
• Pain in the abdominal region will be noticed
• Fatigue and weakness will be there
• Sometimes Blood will be noticed in the urine
• Mild fever, nausea and vomiting are some other common symptoms which are noticed

Causes Of Bladder Cyst:

The causes of bladder cyst includes:

• Some imbalance of hormone in the body can result in the development of cyst in the body
• Some acquired cystic disease in the kidney can also result in the formation of bladder cysts
• Autosomal recessive poly cystic kidney disease can be a cause of Bladder cyst.
• Accelerated hypertension can also play an important role in the formation of bladder cyst
• Imbalance of Acid – Base solution in body can also result in this condition.

Bladder Cyst In Women:

In women, bladder cyst are commonly found in ovaries are termed as ovarian cysts. This happens because ovaries and bladder are in close proximity to each other. The cyst of ovary is very problematic for any woman. Presence of any cysts in woman’s body results in menstrual irregularities, pain in pelvic region, painful intercourse, painful bowel movements, nausea, vomiting, tenderness in breasts etc.

Hepatic cyst usually grow into huge tumors it is for the same reason that no appropriate treatment is there for treating them.

Causes For Hepatic Cysts:

The causes for hepatic cysts includes:

• Any kind of Polycystic disease in kidney can result in cyst generation in liver
• Congenital hepatic fibrosis
• Echincoccosis
• Caroli’s disease
• Choledochal cyst

These are considered to be the few causes for development of hepatic cysts. Actually the real causes for this is not yet known. In some cases they are found even at the time of birth while in other conditions some related condition have resulted in their formation.

Symptoms Of Hepatic Cysts:

These hepatic cysts do not have well defined symptoms. If they grow large in size they result in enlargement of the liver, infection in the bile duct or any kind of obstruction in it, pain in the abdominal region, all this happens because the cyst itself is infected so spreads the infection in its surrounding parts.

Complications Related To Hepatic Cysts:

There are few complications attached to the condition of hepatic cysts these includes:

• Obstructions in the bile duct
• Infections in liver and bile duct
• Swelling the abdominal part
• Pain in the abdominal part
• Enlargement of the Liver

Obstructive jaundice or “Cholestasis” is caused due to some obstruction caused in the flow of bile. The condition of obstructive jaundice is caused due to some drug reaction, presence of stone in bile duct, excessive intake of alcohol, cancer etc.

Symptoms Of Obstructive Jaundice:

The common symptom of obstructive jaundice includes:

• Stools turns pale in colour
• Urine acquires darker colour and also carry urobilinogen
• Itching is noticed in the skin
• Skin and eyes turn yellow in colour

Causes For Obstructive Jaundice:

The causes for obstructive jaundice can be divided as intrahepatic causes and extrahepatic causes.

• Intrahepatic Causes:

  In this condition any kind of damage caused to the liver cells result in obstructive jaundice. The common cause for this condition to arrive is considered as the excessive intake of alcohol, drugs, hepatitis etc. It is a view that intake of these increases the amount of liver enzymes which indicates liver damage. The symptoms of this condition includes swollen belly and enlarged spleen.

• Extrahepatic Causes:

  As we know that a common duct which carries bile to intestine from the liver . In case an obstruction is caused in this duct due to stones, or due to presence of pancreatic cancer then it can result in condition. Not only the bile duct stone but even stones present in gall bladder can pass from the gallbladder duct and move into the bile duct obstructing it. This causes obstructive jaundice and pancreatitis in addition to abdominal pain.

This collection transform into a sac or cyst which presses the bile duct and prevent bile from reaching into the intestine. The collection of bile in intestine can result in jaundice or it spread infection also which can result in abdominal pain and fever.

Symptoms Of Choledochal Cyst:

The symptoms of choledochal cyst includes:

• Obstruction of the bile duct and retention of bile in the duct itself
• Enlarged liver followed by jaundice
• In advance cases, scarring and cirrhosis of liver cells takes place
• Accumulation of fluid takes place in the liver
• A risk of cancer development in the walls of cyst is a possibility
• Pain in the abdomen
• Inflammation in the ducts of bile

Diagonisis Of Chodochal Cyst:

The diagnosis of Chodochal cyst can be done by scanning the abdominal region in the ultrasound machine. Some blood tests are also conducted but they are not capable enough to diagnose cyst although they provide enough information about the symptoms of its presence.

Treatment Of Choledochal Cyst:

The treatment of Choledochal cyst is possible only with the help of surgery. In this surgery the cyst and affected duct of bile is replaced with a piece of intestine. This fresh piece will now act as a common passage in the blie source and intestine.

Chronic Hepatitis Causes:

• Hepatitis B and C viruses primarily causes chronic hepatitis
• Autoimmune diseases – where the body destroys its own liver cells
• Some medications such as isoniazid, methyldopa, macrodantin, Phenytoin – can cause chronic hepatitis
• Metabolic disorders such as Wilson’s disease, Sarcoidosis, Hemachromatosis can cause chronic hepatitis.

Chronic Hepatitis Caused Due to Viruses:

• Chronic hepatitis B:

  Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Chronic hepatitis B can result in liver cancer, cirrhosis, or liver failure. This virus is transmitted through sharing of needles and unprotected sexual contacted

• Chronic hepatitis C:

  Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). This disease can result in liver cancer, liver failure and scarring of the liver known as cirrhosis. Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood transfusion and sharing of needles.

Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis:

The symptoms of chronic hepatitis are:

• Fatigue
• Jaundice, which causes yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes
• Upper Abdominal pain
• Weight Loss
• Joint pain and muscle weakness
• Lack of appetite

Blood tests, liver function tests, liver biopsy, ultrasound, CT scan or MRI scan may be conducted to test for chronic hepatitis.

Chronic Hepatitis Treatment:

• Chronic hepatitis B is treated with medications such as Interferon, Telbivudine, Entecavir, Lamivudine, Adefovir dipivoxil . If the liver is severeley damaged, liver transplantation is necessary
• Chronic hepatitis C is treated with ribavirin, Interferon and other anti-viral medications.Liver transplantation is necessary in severe cases
• For autoimmune chronic hepatitis, medications which suppress the immune system are used
• Alcohol should be avoided to prevent further damage to the liver
• A healthy diet and proper fitness can help in overcoming fatigue

To prevent chronic hepatitis, vaccinations of hepatitis B and C are necessary. Using sterile needles and avoiding unprotected sex can help in preventing chronic hepatitis.

Quitting alcohol can help in the reversal of the disease. But, if the drinking is continued, it may lead to cirrhosis (damage to the liver) and liver failure.

Alcohol Hepatitis Symptoms:

In the initial stages, the person with alcohol hepatitis may not have problems. However, as the disease progresses, the following symptoms are seen:

• Poor appetite
• Abdominal tenderness and pain
• Fluid build up in the abdomen (ascites)
• Fever
• Yellowing of the skin and white portion of the eyes (jaundice)
• Fatigue
• Vomiting of blood

Causes of Alcoholic Hepatitis:

Alcohol hepatitis is caused due to the alcohol damage to the liver. Toxic chemicals are produced when the liver breaks down the ethanol present in alcohol. These chemicals trigger the inflammation of the liver cells and damage them.

People who binge drink  and,  in some cases, those who drink moderately may get alcoholic hepatitis. Women, people with other forms of hepatitis, malnourished individuals – are at risk of alcoholic hepatitis. Certain genetic factors are also believed to contribute towards this disease.

Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment:

A doctor may conduct blood tests, ultrasound test, or may take a liver biopsy to diagnose alcoholic hepatitis. Once diagnosed , the treatment plans may include:

• Complete abstinence from alcohol
• High nutrient diet which can help in regeneration of liver cells
• Corticosteroids may be used as a short-term treatment to reduce inflammation
• Quitting smoking
• Liver transplant

In cases where the liver damage is irreversible, a liver transplant may be recommended.

The best way to manange alcoholic hepatitis is stop drinking completely. One can achieve this through conselling and therapy to quit alcohol.