Liver Diseases
Common Liver Diseases
Liver disease includes an extensive set of conditions that impact the functioning of the liver. The most common liver diseases include:
Acute and chronic Hepatitis
- Fatty Liver Disease (Non-Alcoholic NAFLD and Alcoholic AFLD)
- Cirrhosis
- Liver Cancer
- Liver Fibrosis
- Autoimmune Liver Disease
Liver Hepatitis.
Certain genetic disorders, such as Hemochromatosis and Wilson’s Disease.
What does Acute Hepatitis mean?
Acute hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver characterised by damage or destruction of liver cells. This makes it a significant healthcare issue across the world. In developed countries, the prevalence of acute hepatitis is approximately 1 in 4000 every year. This number is about 5 times higher in developing countries due to a lack of proper health facilities.
Acute Hepatitis Causes
The following are causes of acute hepatitis:
- Infection from viruses such as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E
- Excess use of alcohol
- Some drugs and poisons
- Abnormal autoimmune response towards the body’s hepatocytes in the liver
- Mononucleosis and similarly caused infections.
Acute Hepatitis Symptoms
There are some symptoms associated with acute hepatitis, and they include:
- Skin and eyes turning yellow (jaundice)
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Not feeling hungry (loss of appetite)
- Feeling of sickness (nausea and vomiting)
- Pain felt in the stomach area, particularly the lower right section, above the bladder or gallbladder.
- Dark colored urine and stool colored white
- Fever
Acute Hepatitis Diagnosis
The following are normally the bases of the diagnosis:
- Blood examinations (liver function tests and viral markers)
- Imaging such as an ultrasound or a CT scan
- Infrequent special examinations of the liver tissues (liver biopsy)
Acute Hepatitis Treatment
- Define treatment strategies used for hepatitis for which the cause hasn’t been addressed yet.
- Banning alcohol use and providing drinks and rest for support.
- Stopping the use of drugs known to harm the liver.
- Antiviral drugs for viral hepatitis.
- Obligate aid to maintain hydration and rest
What is Chronic Hepatitis?
The term Chronic Hepatitis refers to the inflammation of the liver for a period above six months. It can slowly damage tissues of liver with a risk of causing fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver failure.
Different Forms of Chronic Hepatitis
Some of them include:
- Chronic Hepatitis B
- Chronic Hepatitis C
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
- African (Chronic Hepatitis D, B co-infection)
- Chronic Hepatitis Causes
- Chronic, infectious, viral diseases (most commonly due to Hepatitis B and C infections)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Chronic alcoholism
- Some metabolic diseases
- Some hereditary diseases
- Chronic Hepatitis Symptoms
- Several people become symptomatic only in later stages. Common symptoms include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Mild pain in the abdomen
- Pain in muscles or joints
- Jaundice
- Unintentional weight loss
- Disorientation (later stages)
- Hepatitis Chronic Diagnosis: Liver function assessment
- Blood and virological analysis
- Imaging techniques
- Staging liver fibrosis through biopsy
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis
Signs of habitual hepatitis are generally moderate. Despite the liver injury sustained, its development is generally gradual. Some people won’t show any signs, while others will show malaise, muscle weakness, apathy, low-grade fever, dull pain in the upper tummy, yellowing of the skin, signs of habitual liver illness( similar to a bigger than normal spleen, spider naevi, and accumulation of body fluids)
Treatment differs based on underlying reasons:
- Use of antiviral medications for Hepatitis B and C
- Immunosuppressive therapy for Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Modification of lifestyle: diet and exercise, less alcohol, and avoiding smoking
- Surgical treatment (liver transplant) in advanced liver disease or chronic liver failure
In advanced stages where the condition is likely to result in liver failure, consulting the Best Liver Transplant Surgeon in India becomes crucial to ensure timely liver transplant procedures. Patients from the capital can easily access world-class facilities, so the best liver transplant surgeon in Delhi is a top choice.
Dr. Neerav Goyal as a liver transplant specialist: |
To seek a consultation with a best liver transplant doctor in New Delhi , India: |
Call us at 8527516541 | Email at [email protected] |