Hepatitis Causes and Treatments
Posted: May 15th, 2018 at 02:36PM
Hepatitis is a disease that influences the liver and its ability to function properly. The liver is responsible for storing vitamins and minerals and for purifying the blood from alcohol and toxins, as well as converting food to energy. When the liver is inflamed or infected, the body loses its ability to regulate blood sugars and properly digest food. Those at higher risk for hepatitis include drug users, those who consume large amounts of raw foods, and men who sleep with men.
Among the many types of the disease, the most common forms of hepatitis are hepatitis A and B. There is also Alcoholic Hepatitis and Autoimmune Hepatitis. Hepatitis A can be contracted through sex or close contact with anyone housing the virus. It can also be contracted through the consumption of contaminated water and contact with an infected person's stool.
It's common among those traveling to foreign countries and individuals who frequently consume raw foods. The symptoms of this virus are similar to those of the flu virus and can be detected through a blood test or a hepatitis titer.
As for hepatitis B, which also affects the liver, it's contracted through contact with contaminated body fluids, such as blood and any fluids exchanged during sex. Some symptoms of hepatitis B are dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, and reduced appetite.
Hepatitis A and B both have similar symptoms, including fatigue, jaundice, nausea, poor appetite, and mild fever. If you are noticing any of these symptoms, it could mean that you're in the later stages of hepatitis, which means liver damage. At this stage, you should seek immediate medical attention and speak with your doctor about your options.
Alcoholic Hepatitis is one of the more dangerous forms of the disease, caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. The statistics related to this disease are alarming. 50% of those who contract it could die within 30 days of infection as a result of liver failure. For those suffering from Alcoholic Hepatitis or acute Alcoholic Hepatitis, there are treatments available, including a liver transplant (worst case scenario).
For some individuals, hepatitis can be slowed down with the immediate cessation of alcohol consumption.
Autoimmune Hepatitis primarily affects women and young girls. It's slightly different from other forms of hepatitis in that it occurs when the body attacks its own cells. Doctors are uncertain as to why this happens, but Autoimmune Hepatitis causes the body to mistake liver cells for a virus. This can cause weight gain, increased blood pressure, liver failure, and even cancer.
This disease can be treated with medications that slow down the immune system. The problem with this is that these medications could also reduce the body's ability to fight other types of infection. Although a liver transplant can be a solution to the disease, there's a chance that it could recur in the new liver.
e7 Health offers hepatitis treatments and vaccines, which are considered the best form of protection against the hepatitis virus. Vaccines were recommended in 1996 and have since reduced the number of cases in the US. A hepatitis vaccine is a great option for those who are susceptible to the virus. e7 health offers comprehensive health screenings of all sorts and serves as a premier treatment center for many diseases. If you or anyone you know is experiencing symptoms of hepatitis, e7 Health can offer sound advice and guide them to the appropriate next step.
E7 staff are very professional & friendly! I had an appointment & didn’t have to wait. The appointment (blood draw) took less than 10...
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