An inflammatory diseasein theliver is classified as hepatitis. The disease has several types and multiple originsapart from viral infections, which is the most common one.
Autoimmune hepatitis is one of the origins of the disease, along with hepatitis due to drug usage, alcohol, poisonous chemicals or toxins, or even medications. When a person’s body releases antibodies to fight healthy tissues in the liver, autoimmune hepatitis develops.
Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E are 5 of the most commonsubtypes of the disease. Each of the type is caused due todistinct virus types.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO),over 354 million individualshave hepatitis B or hepatitis C all around the world.
Hepatitis A
A viral infection due to hepatitis A virus (HAV)causes hepatitis A. This liver disease is an initial, temporary illness.
Hepatitis B
This type of hepatitis is brought on by the virus hepatitis B (HBV). Hepatitis B is usually a chronicproblem. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),approximately 257 million individualslive with this chronic problem worldwide, with over 826,000 individuals in the US alone.
Hepatitis C
The hepatitis C virus (HCV)is the cause of hepatitis C infection. HCV is bloodborne and is commonin the US and often turns into a chronic illness.
The CDC reports that over 2.4 million US citizens have chronic hepatitis C right now.
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D is a rare type of disease that only develops when hepatitis B is also present. Inflammation of a person’s liver is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV), which is contagious only in the presence of HBV (hepatitis B infection).
Around the world, HDV affects around 5% of those with hepatitis B, according to WHO.
Hepatitis E
The Hepatitis E, which is a condition that is waterborne,, is caused by contact with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). This condition is often caused by coming in contact with fecesthat pollute the supply of water and is prevalent in unhygienic places.
Based on the reports by the CDC, hepatitis E isn’t prevalentin the US.
Although the infection from HEV is typically mild, pregnant women are especially vulnerable.
Causes
Toxins such as Alcohol
Excessive drinking mightinflame or damage the liver. Hepatitis caused by alcohol consumption is another name for it.
The cells in the liver are directly damaged due to alcohol. It can, over a period of time, result in irreversible damage, swelling, or thickening of the liver, called cirrhosis or liver failure.
The abuse of drugs or exposure to chemicals is two more hazardous factors that can cause hepatitis.
Autoimmune Response from the Body
Sometimes an individual’s liver is attacked by the body’s immune system because it considers it as dangerous. This can result in prolonged inflammation that could bemild or severe and can impair liver functions. Women are three times more likely than men to develop autoimmune hepatitis.
Symptoms
If you have hepatitis, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C, you might not exhibit any signs until the disease impacts how your liver functions. Contrarily, those who have mild hepatitis may exhibit symptoms soon after being exposed to the hepatitis virus.
The following are typical signs of a hepatitis infection:
- fatigue
- dark feces
- white feces
- abdomen ache
- reduced appetite
- unaccounted-for weight loss
- Having yellow eyes or skin, which could indicate jaundice
Complications of Hepatitis
More serious health issues can result from untreated hepatitis B or hepatitis C. People who have chronic hepatitis risk developing one or more of these conditions since the virus damages the liver:
- cirrhosis
- persistent liver disease
- liver cancer
Liver failure is a condition that can happen when the liver stops working regularly. Liver failure complications include:
- bleeding disorders
- ascites, a fluid accumulation in your belly
- portal hypertension is elevated blood pressure in the veins which enter the liver.
- kidney failure
- hepatic encephalopathy, a disease that can cause mental decline, tiredness, and memory loss.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma is a kind of cancer in the liver that results in death.
Alcohol should be avoided by those who have hepatitis B or hepatitis C since it might worsen liver damage and illness. The function of the liver may also be impacted by specific dietary supplements and drugs. Before starting any new medicines, consult your doctor.
Prescription Assistance Program
If you’re experiencing any of the above-mentioned signs or symptoms of hepatitis, make sure you get yourself checked by a doctor and treat hepatitis early if diagnosed. If the cost of treatment and medication is a concern for you, enroll in a prescription assistance program offered by Advocate My Meds, subject to their eligibility criteria. The company offers prescription assistance for multiple companies, including GSK prescription assistance, Pfizer patient assistance, Novo Nordisk prescription assistance, Sanofi prescription assistance, and more. Contact them now for further details.
Disclaimer: This article is only intended for educational purposes and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for medical advice.
