Hepatitis - the first signs, treatment and prevention
Inflammatory process in liver tissues of an acute or chronic nature is called hepatitis. The problem of this disease is acute, because the first signs of hepatitis in women and men do not appear immediately - the pathology is hidden for a long time. The untimely start of treatment leads to fibrous changes in the cells/tissues of the organ, which makes pathological processes irreversible.
Types of hepatitis
In medicine, 5 hepatitis viruses are distinguished: A, B, C, D, E. All of them are viral. The disease can be toxic - for example, if hepatitis developed against the background of forced long-term intake of highly toxic drugs. Autoimmune hepatitis is considered separately by doctors - a pathological condition in which, for unknown reasons, the body's immune system perceives liver cells as foreign and begins to destroy them.
They also differentiate acute hepatitis of the liver - an inflammatory process with a characteristic sudden onset and pronounced symptoms. But most often chronic hepatitis is diagnosed - patients seek qualified medical help too late.
Symptoms of hepatitis
Symptoms of the disease include:
- constant feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
- intense itching of the skin;
- jaundice on the skin and mucous membranes;
- light color of feces and dark urine;
- lack of appetite, constant nausea;
- periodic pains in the anatomical location of the liver;
- constant increase in body temperature.
Symptoms of toxic hepatitis in adults will differ from the above. For example, the yellowness of the skin and mucous membranes may be absent, and nausea and pain will be significantly pronounced.
Diagnosis of hepatitis
In order to accurately establish the diagnosis, the symptoms themselves are not enough - doctors must prescribe a full examination of the patient. First, markers of hepatitis are checked - a specific analysis that allows not only to confirm hepatitis, but also to determine its type. Secondly, a biochemical blood test is performed - it will help to understand how intense pathological changes are occurring in the liver. Thirdly, the doctor can prescribe an ultrasound of the abdominal organs and a liver biopsy.
Many people are concerned about the question of where to take a blood test for hepatitis - some conscious citizens periodically undergo the examination voluntarily. The analysis can be done in any paid laboratory or in a public institution after visiting a therapist.
Mechanism of development of hepatitis in humans
Immediately note that different types of this disease are transmitted in different ways. Can you get hepatitis through household items and clothes? In some cases, yes. Everyone knows that Botkin's disease (hepatitis A) is transmitted in this way. Therefore, patients with such a diagnosis are necessarily isolated from society and treated in closed boxes.
If the hepatitis C genotype was detected in the patient, then we are talking about infection through the genital tract or dirty syringes. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes - at least that's what people think. In fact, hepatitis C is a viral disease and can be contracted even in a tattoo parlor or dental office.
General principles of hepatitis treatment
After diagnosing hepatitis, doctors face two tasks:
- eliminate the causes of disease development;
- restore the normal functioning of the liver.
If viral hepatitis is diagnosed, the patient is prescribed a course of antiviral therapy. When toxic hepatitis is diagnosed, doctors prescribe enterosorbents, antidotes, and the autoimmune type of the disease involves taking glucocorticosteroids.
Treatment of chronic hepatitis consists in simple stabilization of the patient's condition, prevention of exacerbations of the pathology and support of the liver during remission.
If viral hepatitis is diagnosed, the general principles of treatment are maintained. Medicines against hepatitis C are interferon, after the introduction of which the human body "issues" the symptoms of the classic flu, which disappear completely after a few days. It will not be possible to cure or get rid of this disease with interferon. This method will help prevent the rapid development of cirrhosis and liver cancer. How long do people with hepatitis C live? It is difficult to give an exact answer to this question. If the patient clearly follows all the doctor's recommendations and periodically undergoes interferon therapy, he will be able to live to a natural old age.
Diet for hepatitis
If a person really wants to heal or reduce the risk of early death, he will have to follow certain nutritional rules. Diet for hepatitis C includes:
- rejection of any alcoholic beverages;
- restriction of animal fats or complete rejection of their consumption;
- rejection of products containing trans fats (mayonnaise, spreads, smoked meats, any sauces, margarine, etc.);
- limiting the consumption of hot spices and seasonings, including garlic;
- daily introduction of vegetables and fruits into the diet.
Prophylaxis of viral hepatitis
Prophylaxis of viral hepatitis is the only way to prevent infection or at least reduce its probability. It is enough to follow basic hygiene rules to avoid infection. We are talking about regular hand washing, eating only washed vegetables and fruits.
Vaccination is of particular importance in the field of prevention - for example, after vaccination against hepatitis B, the incidence rate in various regions decreases significantly. Before flying to countries with a high prevalence of hepatitis A, each person should be vaccinated specifically against this genotype.
Complete information on how hepatitis C is transmitted, where you can undergo an examination and get help in diagnosing the disease, can be obtained on our website https://dobrobut.com/.
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