- HEPATITIShttps://oncomshealthcare.com/hepbest-25-mg-tablets-important-information-for-patients/ is the inflammation of liver that harms its ability to clean blood and process food. The main cause of a hepatitis is a viral infection , most commonly from one of the five primary hepatitis virus: A,B,C,D and E . it is an inflammation of liver that causes liver damage, impairing vital functions like filtering blood,processing nutrients and fighting infections. It can lead to acute symptoms or long-term complications like scarring (cirrhosis ) and liver failure. Liver health is critical during hepatitis because inflammation directly impairs the liver’s ability to filter toxins, process nutrients and manage vital metabolic functions.
ROLE OF LIVER IN THE BODY
The liver is the vital organ that act as a body’s main processing plant , performing over 500 essential tasks including filtering blood, aiding digestion, and storing energy.
Key functions of liver
• Filtering and Detoxification: it processes all blood leaving the stomach and intestines, removing toxins ,breaking down alcohol and drugs and converting harmful ammonia into safe urea.
• Digestion and bile production: it produces bile, a fluid that helps break down and absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestines.
• Energy storage and regulation : it removes excess glucose from the blood , storing it as glycogen, and convert it back to glucose when the body needs energy.
• Protein synthesis and blood clotting: it creates vital blood plasma proteins like albumin and clotting factors that prevent excessive bleeding.
• Storage of vitamins and minerals: it stores essential reserves of iron, copper and vitamins A,D,E,K and B12.
• Immune support: it removes bacteria and creates immune factors to help the body resist infections.
ACUTE V/S CHRONIC HEPATITIS
Acute hepatitis is a short –term liver inflammation lasting less than six months, while chronic hepatitis is a long-term inflammation lasting longer than six months.
Acute Hepatitis
• Duration: resolves in under six months
• Symptoms : often noticeable , including fatigue, nausea, dark urine and jaundice
• Causes: common viruses (Hepatitis A,B,C,D,E) , heavy alcohol use, or toxic during reactions.
• Outcome: many people heal completely on their own, though rare cases cause sudden liver faiure.
Chronic Hepatitis
• Duration: lasts longer than six months because the infection or damaged persists.
• Symptoms : frequently silent or absent for years until significant liver damage occurs.
• Causes: long-term Hepatitis B, C or D infections, autoimmune diseases, or ongoing alcohol /toxin exposure .
• Outcomes: can lead to permanent liver scarring , liver failure or cancer if untreated .
TYPES OF HEPATITIS
1. HEPATITIS A
HEPATITIS A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus.
Symptoms:
• Dark yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Dark urine and clay-colored stool
• Fever and unusual fatigue
• Nausea,vomiting and diarrhea
• Upper-right abdominal pain near the liver
Transmission
• Eating or drinking contaminated food or water
• Ingesting microscopic traces of infected stool
• Close-personal or sexual contact with an infected person.
Treatment and Recovary
• There is no specific cure or antiviral treatment
• Management focuses on rest , drinking plenty of fluids with lifelong immunity
• Prevent infection effectively through the hepatitis A vaccine and good handwashing hygiene.
2. HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus
Symptoms
Many people have no symptoms during a new infection . when signs do show up, they include :
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Nausea and stomach pain
• Fever and joint pain
• Dark urine and clay-colored stools
• Yellow skin and eyes , known as jaundice .
Transmissions
The virus spreads when blood , semen or other body fluids from an infected person enter an uninfected body. Common ways include:
• Sexual contact without a condom
• Sharing needles , syringes or drug –injection equipment
• From an infected mother to her baby during birth
• Accidental needlestick injuries or sharing personal items like razors
Prevention and treatment
Vaccination: The hepatitis B vaccine is safe at preventing the diseases. babies should get their first dose soon after birth.
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