HEPATITIS
The word hepatitis
comes
from the Ancient Greek word hepar (root word hepat) meaning 'liver',
and the
“
itis” meaning
inflammation. Hepatitis means
injury to the liver with inflammation of the liver.The
liver is the largest gland in the human body. It weighs approximately 3 lb
(1.36 kg). It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of
different sizes and lengths. It is also the largest internal organ (the largest
organ is the skin). It is below the diaphragm on the right in the thoracic
region of the abdomen. Blood reaches the liver through the hepatic artery and
the portal vein. The portal vein carries blood containing digested food from
the small intestine, while the hepatic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from
the aorta.
The liver is made up of thousands of lobules,
each lobule consists of many hepatic cells - hepatic cells are the basic
metabolic cells of the liver. The
liver has a wide range of functions, including:
·
Detoxification
(filters harmful substances form the blood, such as alcohol)
·
Stores vitamins A, D, K and B12 (also
stores minerals)
·
Protein
synthesis (makes certain amino acids - the building blocks of proteins)
·
The
production of biochemicals needed for digestion, such as bile
·
Maintains
proper levels of glucose in the blood
·
Produces
80% of your body's cholesterol (cholesterol is vital)
·
The
storage glycogen (also converts glucose to glycogen)
·
Decomposing
red blood cells
·
Synthesizing
plasma protein
·
The
production of hormones
·
Produces
urea (the main substance of urine)
Hepatitis can heal on its own with no significant
consequence, or it can progress to scarring of the liver. Acute hepatitis lasts
under six months, while chronic hepatitis lasts longer. Any abnormality to liver likely to manifest with jaundice;
Jaundice is a term used to describe an increase in the amount of bilirubin in the body, which results in the whites of the eye, skin and body fluids all turning yellow. When all is functioning properly, bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells, is processed by the liver, excreted in bile and ultimately transformed into waste. When the liver cannot handle the volume of retiring red blood cells, yellow pigment will build up in the body.Four main types of jaundice are:
- Hemolytic Jaundice: Hemo means ‘blood’ and lytic means ‘breakdown of cells’; together ‘hemolytic’ means breakdown of red blood cells. In hemolytic jaundice or pre-hepatic jaundice, the bilirubin level is raised due to excess breakdown of red blood cells.
- Obstructive Jaundice: Also known as post-hepatic jaundice is caused by obstruction of bile flow from the liver. This increases the level of bilirubin in the blood, thereby causing obstructive jaundice. Obstructive Jaundice can cause extreme pruritus (itching) due to build up of salt and other biles constituents.
- Hepatocellular Jaundice: This type of jaundice is very common and occurs due to inability of the liver to metabolize and remove bilirubin from the biliary system.
- Neonatal Jaundice: This type of jaundice is usually harmless. Neontal jaundice is marked by yellow discoloration of skin and other tissues of a newborn. The symptoms generally become apparent on the second or fourth day after the baby is born and disappear on it own within two to three weeks Most liver damage is caused by 3 hepatitis
viruses, called hepatitis A, B and C. However, hepatitis can also be caused by
alcohol and some other toxins and infections, as well as from our own
autoimmune process (the body attacks itself). All forms of hepatitis are not infectious.
Alcohol, medicines, and chemical may be bad for the liver and cause
inflammation. A person may have a genetic problem, a metabolic disorder, or an
immune related injury. Obesity can be a
cause of liver damage which can lead to inflammation. These are known as
non-infectious, because they cannot spread form person-to-person.TYPES OF HEPATITIS :-There
are five main types of hepatitis that are caused by a virus, A, B, C, D, and E
- plus types X and G.
Hepatitis A - this is caused by
eating infected food or water. The food or water is infected with a virus
called HAV (Hepatitis A Virus). Anal-oral contact during sex can also be a
cause. Nearly everyone who develops Hepatitis A makes a full recovery - it does
not lead to chronic disease. The patient should abstain from alcohol and drugs
during treatment and recovery. The vast majority of patients with Hepatitis A
will recover spontaneously.
Hepatitis B - this is an STD (sexually transmitted disease).
It is caused by the virus HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) and is spread by contact with
infected blood, semen, and some other body fluids. You get Hepatitis B bythe
following;Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person . Using a
syringe that was previously used by an infected person (most commonly happens
with drug addicts and people who inject steroids). A patient with Hepatitis B
needs to rest. He will require a diet that is high in protein and carbohydrate - this is to repair
damaged liver cells, as well as to protect the liver. If this is not enough,
the doctor may prescribe interferon. Interferon is an antiviral agent.
Having your skin perforated with unsterilized needles, as
might be the case when getting a tattoo, or being accidentally pricked. People
who work in health care risk becoming infected by accident in this way. Sharing
personal items, such as a toothbrush or razor, with an infected person. A baby
can become infected through his mother's milk if she is infected.
The liver of a person infected with Hepatitis B swells.
The patient can suffer serious liver damage due to infection, resulting in cancer.
For some patients the hepatitis becomes chronic (very long-term or lifelong).
Donated blood is always tested for Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C - Hepatitis C is usually
spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has the disease.
It is caused by the virus HCV (Hepatitis C Virus). The liver can swell and
become damaged. In hepatitis C, unlike hepatitis B, liver cancer risk is only increased in
people with cirrhosis and only 20% of hep C
patients get cirrhosis. Feces is never a route of transmission in hepatitis C.
Donated blood is also tested for Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis D - only a person who is
already infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D. It is
caused by the virus HDV (Hepatitis D Virus). Infection is through contact with
infected blood, unprotected sex, and perforation of the skin with infected needles.
The liver of a person with Hepatitis D swells.
Hepatitis E - a person can become
infected by drinking water that contains HEV (Hepatitis E Virus). The liver
swells but there is no long-term consequence. Infection is also possible
through anal-oral sex.
Hepatitis X - if a hepatitis cannot
be attributed to the viruses of hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E, it is called
Hepatitis X. In other words, hepatitis of an unknown virus.
Hepatitis G - this is a type of
hepatitis caused by the Hepatitis G virus (HGV). Usually there are no symptoms.
When there are symptoms they are very mild.
What are the signs and
symptoms of hepatitis?
Many people with Hepatitis experience either mild
symptoms or none at all. Remember that an infected person's feces are always
infectious to other people. When symptoms appear, they usually do so about 15
to 180 days after the person has become infected.
The acute phase of hepatitis - symptoms
The initial phase of hepatitis is called the acute
phase. The symptoms are like a mild flu, and may include: Diarrhea, Fatigue, Loss of appetite, Mild fever, Muscle or joint
aches,Nausea,Slight abdominal pain, Vomiting &Weight loss
The acute phase is not usually dangerous, unless it
develops into the fulminant or rapidly progressing form, which can lead to
death.
As the patient gets worse, these symptoms may
follow:
Patient outcomes after the acute phase depend on various
factors, especially the type of hepatitis.
Non-Viral Hepatitis - If the patient has
non-viral hepatitis, the doctor needs to remove the harmful substance. It will
be flushed out of the stomach by hyperventilation or induced vomiting. Patients
with drug-induced hepatitis may be prescribed corticosteroids.
How to prevent hepatitis
Hepatitis A &Hepatitis E-Wash your hands with soap after going to
the toilet, Only consume food that
has just been cooked, Only drink boiled and
cooled water, the water sources should be protected against contamination,
human excreta should be properly disposed so that it will not contaminate the
water sources, Only eat fruits that you can peel if you are somewhere where
sanitation is unreliable, Only eat raw vegetables
if you are sure they have been cleaned/disinfected thoroughly, Get a vaccine for Hepatitis A if you
travel to places where hepatitis may be endemic
Hepatitis B,Hepatitis C& Hepatitis D- Use clean and sterilized syringes only that have not been
used by anyone else, Do not share
toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments,Practice safe sex,Have a Hepatitis B series of shots if you are at risk,Allow well sterilized skin
perforating equipment only (tattoo, acupuncture, etc.)If you are infected cover open
wounds(a person who is infected with Hepatitis B can become
infected with Hepatitis D also).
Alcoholic Hepatitis- Abstain from consumption of alcohol.
