Conditions

Losing a loved one especially after a long period of caregiving can be distressing and leave you with a range of different and conflicting emotions. This article by PDMDS suggests six ways to deal with grief and loss.   Losing someone close to you is extremely distressing. That loss also signifies the end of your caregiver role which may create feelings of emptiness. How you cope with the demise of the person you cared for is a very personal thing. Remember, there is no right or wrong…

Chronic hepatitis is a disorder of the liver that lasts more than 6 months. It results in generalized malaise, poor appetite, and abdominal pain. It may be caused due to viral, immunological, adverse habits etc. In end cases transplantation is the only choice. In advance cases damage leads to scarring of the liver, this condition is called as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can further lead to endangered conditions like hepatic encephalopathy, hepato-renal syndrome, coagulopathy and finally liver cancer.…

Chronic hepatitis initially may not have any symptoms. But as the disease progresses there will be: Nonspecific symptoms such as generalized malaise, fever, poor appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, or anorexia.   Muscle and joint pains. Hormonal imbalance leading to Hirsutism (abnormal hair growth). Gynaecomastia (swelling of the breast tissue in men). Testicular atrophy Loss of libido Absence of the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea) Peripheral edema (fluid accumulation in and…

There are various causes for chronic hepatitis which are as follows: Infection from viruses such as Hepatitis A, B and C Alcohol associated Drug induced Autoimmune Among these, viral hepatitis is the most common cause, followed by alcoholic and non-alcoholic/metabolic liver disease. Metabolic liver inflammation can be due to  hemacromatosis, Wilson’s disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, sarcoidosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Other less common causes of hepatitis include…

Chronic hepatitis is suspected when one has typical symptoms or signs and shows abnormally high liver enzymes on routine blood tests (which may be done for other reasons too). Blood tests are usually performed to determine proper function of the liver. Such tests and physical examination help establish or exclude the diagnosis, identify the cause, and also determine the severity of liver damage. Blood tests especially serological detection of Hepatitis antigens may then be done to identify…

Injectable interferon alpha was the first therapy approved for chronic hepatitis B. Lamivudine was the first approved oral nucleoside analogue for viral hepatitis. For drug induced hepatitis, the etiological drug is withdrawn and usage is stopped immediately. In case of alcoholic hepatitis, first-line treatment is discontinuation of alcohol.

Hepatitis in general terms is liver inflammation, which can be caused by viruses and other factors such as alcohol, drugs or genetic disorders. Below are the various types of hepatitis: ⦁    Hepatitis A – Hepatitis A virus is found in the feces of an infected person. It spreads through contaminated food and water. It resolves with time and does not cause chronic liver disease.  ⦁    Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B spreads through infectious body fluids such as…

Lifestyle Recommendations: Living with Chronic hepatitis may not affect daily activities but a high-calorie diet is recommended.  Many people develop nausea and may not be able to take food later in the day, so the bulk of intake is concentrated in the earlier hours of the day. In the acute phase of the disease, intravenous feeding may be needed if patients cannot tolerate food and have poor oral intake subsequent to nausea and vomiting. Avoid taking drugs that are metabolized by the liver…

In order to prevent hepatitis the Center for Disease Control recommends routine vaccination of all children under the age of 19 with the hepatitis B, which starts at birth and another 2 doses which can be given within 18 months of birth date. Adults can also take Hepatitis A and B vaccines if eligible or if they are at high risk.