Hepatitis – Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

In the course of life, we may encounter some health events. Some caused by the deficiency of our organism, viral and others by the excesses of life, as is the case of hepatitis.

What is Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a type of inflammation in the liver , which can be caused by different factors. The most common infections are viral hepatitis, types A, B and C and that caused by excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and medications.

If we open the range of this disease, we will find innumerable variations both in the cause , in the form of contagion and how it manifests itself in the infected person. Viral hepatitis is considered the biggest worldwide epidemic of recent times, it is really an aggressive disease, which deserves all the care.

Symptoms of Viral Hepatitis

The main symptoms of viral hepatitis usually appear after a few days of contact with the virus. It is very characteristic of this disease that the skin and eyes spin with a yellowish tone , in addition to other consequences from mild to chronic, which can be lethal.

The treatment of Hepatitis is still restricted and depends a lot on its variations . For types A, B and C, more common here in Brazil. The most effective treatment is with the use of specific drugs for the treatment of liver and symptomatic.

See below for more detailed information about the disease and its variations, in addition to knowing how to prevent it and which treatments are most suitable.

Types of Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation in the liver that can be viral or caused by the consumption of alcoholic beverages or by the use of some medications. Viral occurs with the contact of the virus in the cells of the liver, causing inflammation, in the case of alcohol, when ingested frequently it destroys the liver cells.

Viral hepatitis can be A, B, C, D or E being more common, especially here in Brazil, Hepatitis A, B and C.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is transmitted by eating contaminated food and water and can also be transmitted from one person to another. Very common in developing countries, especially with very poor basic sanitation.

Wash fruits and vegetables well, maintain hygiene and basic sanitation, and always wash hands before meals can help to avoid contamination.

Hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B and C are viruses transmitted mainly by blood . This type of hepatitis is frequently contaminated by syringes used for injecting drug application and mainly by non-sterile surgical equipment.

Even the hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse . Prevention is always the best way to avoid this and so many other diseases. The other types of viruses that also cause hepatitis are less common, but they basically have the same forms of contamination and symptoms. Basically the causes of hepatitis in the world are:

  • Infection with virus A, B, C, D, E or G (bacteria that cause hepatitis)
  • By ingesting the venous mushroom
  • Excessive consumption (alcoholism) of alcoholic beverages
  • Consumption of drugs harmful to the liver
  • Consequence of other chronic diseases

Other forms of hepatitis transmission, which were more common decades ago, were through blood transfusion and from mother to child during normal birth when there was no correct prenatal care.

Symptoms of Hepatitis

The causes of hepatitis are quite diverse, involving contamination by viruses, bacteria and cirrhosis caused by alcoholism. Each has particular forms of transmission, as well as cause and treatment, but some symptoms are recognized in general whenever there is inflation in the liver:

  • Bloating and abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Yellowish skin and white part of the eyes
  • Discomfort
  • Dark urine
  • Light stools
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Slimming

Symptoms of Hepatitis B

In the case of hepatitis B, the disease progresses slowly and the patient may have no symptoms or only some of them.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis

Hepatitis can be diagnosed only by observing the patient regarding the manifestation of some of these symptoms and confirmed clinically through a blood test to identify the presence of the hepatitis virus in the body and also through abdominal ultrasound.

In most cases, treatment for hepatitis is symptomatic. Rest, a light and healthy diet and good hydration help fight the virus and restore liver health. When necessary, there are effective medications that can be prescribed in the treatment.

Medicines

There are some remedies that can be recommended, but only the doctor who can indicate it, passing the appropriate dosage and treatment time .

Treatment Duration

The treatment against hepatitis lasts an average of 6 to 11 months , it will depend on the type of hepatitis and mainly on the reaction of the organism of each patient. For cases of acute hepatitis, there is no specific treatment, just treating the symptoms and ensuring well-being with rest and diet.

Adequate Food

Even the diet for patients with hepatitis is very important, it must be rich in carbohydrates and low in fat , even to facilitate digestion. It is always good for the patient to help in the choice of foods. There is no a priori restriction of food, only the intake of alcohol, which of course is prohibited.

What really counts for ensuring good health and protection against many types of hepatitis and so many other diseases is prevention. Always be forewarned! Be sure to get the vaccine against hepatitis A and B and sexual intercourse only with a condom! Ah! Watch out for tattoos, piercing and even manicure pliers, make sure everything is sterile.

See also: What is Cystic Fibrosis?

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My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.

Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

Dr. Alexis Hart

My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

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