Liver Inflammation
Liver inflammation is called as Hepatitis in medical terms. Inflammation of the liver cells is the process in which devastation of plenty of liver cells occur. It can be due to viral infection or Glandular Fever or any other medical conditions.
Symptoms :
Acute hepatitis develops suddenly and symptoms vary distinctly from one person to other. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. During the initial stage, there can be symptoms like fever, loss of appetite, pain below the ribs, pain in the joints and muscles, skin rash, yellow coloration of skin, dark urine and extreme tiredness.
For chronic hepatitis (slow process) some of the signs are tiredness, aching joints, sleepiness and Jaundice. Jaundice is nothing but yellow coloration of the skin, due to increased bilirubin in blood, and yellowish eyes. Many people will have no drive for eating which may cause loss of weight. Vomiting, nausea, fatigue, weakness, joint ache are some of the prominent symptoms.
Liver is considered to be store-house of energy and fat and if the liver functions are disrupted it can seriously affect life. Liver is responsible for controlling infection, processing nutrients, helping digestion and metabolize the drugs. They also convert food particles into energy molecules.
Causes :
The inflammation of liver can occur due to various reasons like hepatitis and infection. Consumption of alcohol, infections of bacteria and virus, autoimmune disorders, eating poisonous foods and allergic food items and exposure to noxious chemicals can seriously affect the liver causing inflammation. People who are undergoing blood transplant should ensure blood compatibility failing which it can affect the liver. Amebic infections can also cause damage to the liver.
Certain drugs like aspirin, naproxen, Tylenol and ibuprofen if taken for prolonged time can affect the liver.
Some people mix alcohol with substances or medicines which may considerably increase toxicity causing serious liver damage.
Diagnoses :
Doctor will order for blood profile for determining the severity of the disease. He may also do ultrasound scan or CT scan.
Who are at risk?
People with family history of hepatitis and jaundice are prone to get liver inflammation.
Treatment :
No medications are available to cure inflammation. But medicines are given to reduce the intensity of symptoms.
Finding the underlying cause is vital before starting treatment. For virus infection or hepatitis B, interferon alfa is prescribed. For Hepatitis C medications like Ribavirin is prescribed. Corticosteroids are given for treating autoimmune hepatitis.
Do not ignore the above mentioned symptoms which may cause more complications causing liver cirrhosis or failure.
It is better to take vaccination for hepatitis virus. Avoid taking alcohol and identify foods that invoke allergic reactions.
You need to take soft foods that can be digested easily. Take plenty of fresh fruits and fruit juices. Drink plenty of water. Limit your calorie intake to 2500 calories per day (for adults).
Prevention :
You can get vaccination for hepatitis A and B. Do not expose yourself with people with hepatitis. Avoid taking alcohol.
Liver inflammation is called as Hepatitis in medical terms. Inflammation of the liver cells is the process in which devastation of plenty of liver cells occur. It can be due to viral infection or Glandular Fever or any other medical conditions.
Symptoms :
Acute hepatitis develops suddenly and symptoms vary distinctly from one person to other. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. During the initial stage, there can be symptoms like fever, loss of appetite, pain below the ribs, pain in the joints and muscles, skin rash, yellow coloration of skin, dark urine and extreme tiredness.
For chronic hepatitis (slow process) some of the signs are tiredness, aching joints, sleepiness and Jaundice. Jaundice is nothing but yellow coloration of the skin, due to increased bilirubin in blood, and yellowish eyes. Many people will have no drive for eating which may cause loss of weight. Vomiting, nausea, fatigue, weakness, joint ache are some of the prominent symptoms.
Liver is considered to be store-house of energy and fat and if the liver functions are disrupted it can seriously affect life. Liver is responsible for controlling infection, processing nutrients, helping digestion and metabolize the drugs. They also convert food particles into energy molecules.
Causes :
The inflammation of liver can occur due to various reasons like hepatitis and infection. Consumption of alcohol, infections of bacteria and virus, autoimmune disorders, eating poisonous foods and allergic food items and exposure to noxious chemicals can seriously affect the liver causing inflammation. People who are undergoing blood transplant should ensure blood compatibility failing which it can affect the liver. Amebic infections can also cause damage to the liver.
Certain drugs like aspirin, naproxen, Tylenol and ibuprofen if taken for prolonged time can affect the liver.
Some people mix alcohol with substances or medicines which may considerably increase toxicity causing serious liver damage.
Diagnoses :
Doctor will order for blood profile for determining the severity of the disease. He may also do ultrasound scan or CT scan.
Who are at risk?
People with family history of hepatitis and jaundice are prone to get liver inflammation.
Treatment :
No medications are available to cure inflammation. But medicines are given to reduce the intensity of symptoms.
Finding the underlying cause is vital before starting treatment. For virus infection or hepatitis B, interferon alfa is prescribed. For Hepatitis C medications like Ribavirin is prescribed. Corticosteroids are given for treating autoimmune hepatitis.
Do not ignore the above mentioned symptoms which may cause more complications causing liver cirrhosis or failure.
It is better to take vaccination for hepatitis virus. Avoid taking alcohol and identify foods that invoke allergic reactions.
You need to take soft foods that can be digested easily. Take plenty of fresh fruits and fruit juices. Drink plenty of water. Limit your calorie intake to 2500 calories per day (for adults).
Prevention :
You can get vaccination for hepatitis A and B. Do not expose yourself with people with hepatitis. Avoid taking alcohol.
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