Hepatitis Problem Inflammation in Liver

10/07/2012 12:30

Not always is caused by a virus. Also be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, alcohol abuse, drug consumption, hereditary diseases, abnormal immune responses...

What is hepatitis? Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Liver inflammation can be caused by:
1) Viral infections (causes hepatitis A, B, C and D), bacterial or fungal infection;
2) Abuse of alcohol, drugs or toxic;
3) paracetamol overdoses, which can be fatal;
4) An abnormal immune response, in which the defense attack the liver (autoimmune hepatitis).

The liver disease can also be caused by inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Wilson's disease (excess copper in the liver).

Symptoms. In its early stages, hepatitis can cause symptoms similar to flu-like malaise, fatigue, fever, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice ... However, some people have no symptoms and are unaware they are infected, so do not try to prevent hepatitis becomes chronic and does not take steps to avoid infecting others.

Acute or chronic. Hepatitis may start and resolve quickly (acute hepatitis) or cause long-term (chronic hepatitis). In some cases, may cause progressive liver damage, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. The prognosis of hepatitis depends on many factors, especially the cause of liver damage and underlying disease. Hepatitis A, for example, is generally of short duration and does not lead to chronic liver problems. In contrast, between 50% and un70% of people with hepatitis C become chronic disease and 20% of them develop cirrhosis after 10 years of infection. In fact, hepatitis C is the number 1 reason for needing a liver transplant.

Risk factors for developing hepatitis include:
1) The injecting drug use.
2) An overdose of paracetamol.
3) Have sexual risk behaviors
4) Consume contaminated food.
5) Travel to areas with high incidence.
6) Stays in hospitals and nursing homes.
7) Abuse of alcohol.
8) Recipient receiving an organ transplants.
9) Having HIV or AIDS.
10) Have received a blood transfusion before 1990.
11) Be a baby born to a mother with hepatitis B or C (transmitted during delivery).
12) Work in healthcare settings (for possible contact with infected blood).
13) Become a Tattoo

Million affected. Some 600 million people worldwide have hepatitis B or C, which is transmitted through bodily fluids, sexual intercourse, sharing needles ... Hepatitis B, for example, is 100 times more infectious AIDS virus. The prognosis of hepatitis depends on many factors, including the cause and the fact of having or not other diseases that may complicate treatment. Many people recover completely. However, the liver can take months to heal.

Read more on remedies for liver care and how to prevent autoimmune hepatitis. And more about natural hepatitis remedies