Hepatitis

Overview:

Hepatitis refers to inflammation or swelling of the liver. It is more commonly used to refer to a group of viral infections that affect the liver, such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. It is often categorized as either acute hepatitis (lasting six months or less) and chronic hepatitis (persistent for longer than six months). Some general symptoms of hepatitis can be abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite/weight loss, nausea/vomiting, and in some cases jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes).

Causes:

Each type of viral hepatitis has different symptoms and causes. Autoimmune hepatitis is caused by immune cells in the body attacking the liver. Hepatitis A, B, and C are caused by viral or bacterial infections, or from parasites. Liver damage from alcohol abuse or exposure to poisons can cause hepatitis. Overdose on certain medications such as acetaminophen is another cause.

Diagnosis & Treatment:

Diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis can vary depending upon type. Various tests including enzyme, blood, and antibody tests may be performed. These tests are called assays. Please visit here for more detailed information on diagnosis and treatment for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

How Associates in Gastroenterology can help:

The physicians and staff of Associates in Gastroenterology have many years of experience diagnosing and treating a range of gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic diseases. If you have any questions, or fear that you may be experiencing symptoms of hepatitis, please do not hesitate to call us!