We associate Hepatitis with Jaundice. True but not really. Hepatitis can be due to many reasons-
1)Alcohol
2)Fatty food
3)Germs like viruses for Hepatitis- A B C D E
Waterborne due to eating infected food / got through infected body fluids or infected needles/ infected blood transfused by mistake prior to everyone before year 2000 when facilities to test blood for infections were not a routine.
We have 5 fingers like shown in image above.
Thumb and little finger are A & E types of viruses got through infected food.
B,C & D are our other fingers. D virus infects along with B.
A person can be a career of virus BC&D without showing signs of Jaundice and it can be just a chance detection through a blood test carried out for a different purpose.
Did we notice that Alcohol tops the list for liver diseases.
Inflammations due to viruses or loads on liver leaves scars and scars reduce the numbers of cells to function well.
Fatty deposits do reduce the numbers of cells which function well & this too can be a chance detection on a routine ultrasound of abdomen.
Viruses are germs which lead to inflammation.
4th category is Physiological Jaundice which appears in neonates on day 3 and disappears by day 10 with the help of simple therapy of exposing naked areas to Sunlight.
Every inflammation leaves scarring. In case of liver it is called Cirrhosis of liver , an irreversible phenomenon.
Diagnosis is made by physical examination of right side of upper abdomen to feel for soft liver vs. fibrosed liver ,blood tests & ultrasound of upper abdomen.
Enzymes are high and bilirubin, the yellow pigment is not so high- indicates that the process of over loading of liver has just started. SGOT & SGPT enzymes.
Liver produces bile which helps us digest our food.
Bile is stored in Gall Bladder which sends bile towards stomach as and when required to digest the food.
If there is a stone in this tract blocking the way for bile to go towards stomach, bile back flows towards liver resulting in Obstructive Jaundice.
It is an Emergency to operate , otherwise the extra bile can affect and inflame Pancreas nearby, another vital organ & it can be life threatening.
Serum alkaline phosphotase is very high in Obstructive Jaundice.
How to keep our liver Supple?
Avoid all of the above factors like Alcohol, extra fats ,over medication,eating unhygeinic food ,dirty syringes & STD types of exposures.
Less fats + Minimum medicines.
A & E are self limiting and it takes about 6 weeks to recover. Diet should be simple high protein, less fats,more carbs & Lots of water or fruit juices,specially ORS made with fresh lemon + Honey.
B C & D take a bit longer time ,is curable with newer medicines so that-
The affected person does Not Remain a Career for life.
New born baby can be positive through transmission through Placenta of affected mother who was not aware of her Status as a Career during her Pregnancy. Vaccinations Cannot be given during Pregnancy
All Babies need to be vaccinated just after birth for Hepatitis B., 6 weeks later to complete the schedule.
100 years ago Liver on right upper abdomen as part of digestive system was as important as we are Careful about Our Hearts despite no facilities or awareness about Investigations.
Never mind, it is not late yet.
Reduce intake of
Alcohol
Fats
Extra medications...
Get treated for Hepatitis B with the help of new medicines claiming to be giving 100% Cure within few months of treatment with Anti Virus Medicines ( it is not very expensive course)
28 July is Hepatitis Day.
I felt like sharing here with others about interactions with colleagues about New medicines, Prevention and Care of liver.
Treat it at par with Heart, Brain and Kidneys,our other vital organs.