Chronic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that lasts more than 6 months and is usually caused by the hepatitis B virus, a type of virus that can be transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other secretions of an infected person; However, chronic hepatitis can also have other causes, such as hepatitis C or even excess alcoholic beverages, for example.
Although chronic hepatitis in most cases does not cause obvious symptoms and is often identified during routine tests, some people may show inaccurate signs, such as general discomfort, decreased appetite, or frequent fatigue for no apparent reason.
- Even in this case.
- Even if it does not cause symptoms.
- Hepatitis should still be treated.
- Because if it continues to get worse.
- It can lead to more serious complications.
- Such as cirrhosis or liver failure.
- For example.
- Whenever there is a liver problem.
- Suspected.
- It is advisable to consult a hepatologist to assess the presence of a problem and start the most appropriate treatment.
In more than half of cases, chronic hepatitis does not cause obvious symptoms, gradually developing until the onset of cirrhosis, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach swelling, reddened hands and skin and yellow eyes.
However, when symptoms exist, chronic hepatitis can cause
Because chronic hepatitis is more common with no symptoms, many cases are only identified during routine blood tests; in these cases, the values of AST, ALT, Gamma-GT, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin generally increase.
If your doctor suspects chronic hepatitis, as well as new and more specific blood tests for liver enzymes and antibodies, he or she may also order imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan.
There are also situations in which a biopsy may be requested, in which a small sample of liver tissue is sent to the laboratory to try to confirm the cause of hepatitis or to try to understand the level of liver damage, helping to better adjust treatment..
In most cases, chronic hepatitis is caused by hepatitis B virus infection, however, other relatively common causes include:
Although more rare, chronic hepatitis can also be caused by the use of certain types of medications, especially isoniazid, methyldopa or phenytoin.When this happens, it is usually enough to change the drug to improve liver inflammation.
Discover some symptoms that may indicate infection with hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B.
Treatment of chronic hepatitis depends on the severity of liver damage and its causes; however, it is relatively common for treatment to begin with the use of certain types of corticosteroids to decrease inflammation and improve symptoms, until the specific cause is known.
Once the cause is identified, treatment should be appropriate to cure the disease to the greatest extent possible and avoid complications; for example, in the case of hepatitis caused by hepatitis B or C virus, your doctor may advise the use of certain antiviral medications., because if hepatitis is caused by an autoimmune disease, it is important to start treatment for this disease, and if it is caused by excess alcohol or the use of medicines, its use should be discontinued.
At the same time, it may also be necessary to treat certain complications that occur with increased inflammation, such as encephalopathy or fluid buildup in the abdomen.
In the most severe cases, where liver damage is very advanced, a liver transplant is usually required.Understand how transplantation is performed and how and recovery.