Chronic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that normally lasts for more than at least 6 months. It may be mild, causing relatively little damage, or more serious causing many liver cells to be destroyed. Most people have no symptoms, but some have vague symptoms like a general feeling of illness, poor appetite, and fatigue.<\/p>\n
Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver which occurs commonly as a result of a viral infection. However, there are other possible causes of hepatitis. The liver being a vital organ tasked with processing nutrients, filtering the blood, and fighting infections among other roles, its damage affects its functions.<\/p>\n
Causes of chronic hepatitis include:<\/p>\n
Alcohol consumption: <\/strong>This can cause chronic hepatitis especially if associated with inadequate nutrition. Even moderated consumption of alcohol can also cause chronic hepatitis especially if the patient is suffering from hepatitis C.<\/p>\n Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): <\/strong>This is a relatively common cause of persistent inflammation of the liver. Most people do not present any symptoms, and the condition is usually discovered when a routine blood test is performed, and the level of enzymes is found to be above normal.<\/p>\n Autoimmune hepatitis: <\/strong>This is a condition whereby the immune system mistakenly destroys the body’s own cells. What exactly triggers autoimmune chronic hepatitis is still unknown.<\/p>\n If left untreated, chronic hepatitis\u2019 progressive nature can easily lead to cirrhosis. Autoimmune hepatitis most often affects young women but can still affect young men and women of all ages.<\/p>\n Chronic hepatitis does not present any obvious early symptoms; therefore, the condition is commonly discovered during a routine blood test. If a doctor discovers that the patient may have chronic hepatitis, he\/she might recommend an examination for jaundice, tenderness in the abdomen, and signs of fluid that fills the abdomen during liver failure.<\/p>\n If chronic hepatitis becomes more severe, the patient may experience additional symptoms like Jaundice, abdominal swelling, weight loss, and muscle weakness.<\/p>\n Treatment of chronic hepatitis is mainly tailored to prevent the disease from getting worse and to prevent cirrhosis and liver failure.<\/p>\n An individual suffering from hepatitis C should receive the vaccine for hepatitis A and B unless blood tests show that he\/she is already immune to these viruses. He\/she can develop more severe symptoms from hepatitis A or B than someone who does not have hepatitis C.<\/p>\n If there’s evidence of cirrhosis, one should undergo a diagnostic procedure known as an endoscopic ultrasound which looks for esophageal varices and enlarged veins in the esophagus that can cause life-threatening bleeding.<\/p>\n Treatment for less common forms of chronic hepatitis focuses on the underlying condition that is causing the hepatitis. However, a liver transplant is recommended if cirrhosis or liver failure develops.<\/p>\nDiagnosis of Chronic Hepatitis<\/h3>\n
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis<\/h3>\n