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Showing posts with the label Liver diseases

Myths and Facts about How Hep C is Transmitted

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    The most dangerous assumptions about the Hepatitis C are almost myths. The best approach for those myths is to find the facts about the transmission of Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C doesn’t spread through Kiss, hug, sharing of utensils, Shake hands, coughing or sneezing, close contact with the Hepatitis C. The center for the Disease Control and Prevention states that the Hepatitis C will be passed on during the sexual contact from one person to another person. It can also transmit while having multiple sex partners or having sex with the HIV patients or engaging with rough sex can increase the risk of viral Hepatitis transmission. This transmission can be prevented by practicing safe sex. According to the World Journal of Gastroenterology the risk of transmission of Hepatitis C from mother to new born child is below 5%. Hepatitis C also doesn’t transmit through breast feeding. However mothers with the bleeding nipples are advised to stop the feeding immediately. Steps to prevent

COVID-19 and Liver Diseases

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  The people only with the symptoms of COVID-19 are mildly sick but the people who are already suffering with the underlying chronic liver diseases are likely to have more serious consequences caused by corona virus. According to the CDC studies patients who are admitted for COVID-19 have shown the increased levels of liver enzymes namely Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase. These high levels of these enzymes indicate that the liver of the person is temporarily damaged due to the certain illness. In addition to this fact studies also indicated that the COVID-19 patients with underlying chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis and liver related complications are at higher risk of death than the people without the liver illness. There are now Vaccines available for the COVID-19 and whoever is eligible to get them can be vaccinated. COVID-19 can lead to the serious consequences such as lung problems, Pneumonia and Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pneumoni

What is Autoimmune Hepatitis?

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  Hepatitis is usually referred as the inflammation of the liver. Whereas the autoimmune hepatitis is the condition where the body’s own immune system attacks the liver cells causing the inflammation. The main causes of the autoimmune hepatitis are the environmental exposure to the medications or infections that can trigger its onset. Middle to old aged women is more prone to the onset of this disease. The diagnosis of the autoimmune hepatitis is done through the blood tests as well as the liver biopsy that can determine the severity and cause of underlying disease. The common symptoms of this disease include Fatigue, itching, Joint pains, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, pale stools and dark urine. The common medications that are used to treat autoimmune hepatitis include Glucocorticoids such as prednisone or budesonide Azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine Methotrexate Mycophenolate mofetil No specific diet is prescribed to the people suffering to the autoimmune hepatitis and hen

Can Foods Protect the Liver?

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The liver is the vital organ which is responsible for the breakdown of the complex substances and detoxes the body. It is responsible for the synthesis of the bile which plays a major role in the complete absorption of the nutrients from the food. There exist many foods and drinks that can maintain the health of the liver. Liver dysfunction can be the cause of many underlying diseases such as metabolic disorders and even the type-2 diabetes. Some of the best foods for liver include Oat Meal : Having Oat meal is said to be the simple way to avail fibre to the body. The fibre plays a major role in the digestion of the food. The beta- glucans present in the oats are much beneficial to the liver. Coffee : Coffee protects against the fatty liver diseases. It prevents the accumulation of the fat in the liver and increases the levels of antioxidants in the liver. Garlic : Garlic plays a major role in the stimulation of the liver and protects against Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Berr

FATTY LIVER DISEASE

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Alcoholic liver disease is said to be the outcome of excessive consumption of alcohol over long period of time. This disease is the result of alcohol abuse which results in severe consequences and even death. Alcohol abuse when practiced for years will lead to replacement of healthy liver tissues with the scar tissue. Scarring of the liver tissue can further cause liver damage and liver dysfunction. Excessive alcohol consumption can be the root cause for several ALD (Alcohol related Diseases). Alcohol fatty liver disease is due to accumulation of fat in the liver which can cause swelling of liver and its dysfunction. This can also occur by consuming alcohol heavily for a short period of time. At primary stages this disease is asymptomatic but shows mild symptoms such as fatigue and pain in the upper right abdomen. The advanced form of alcoholic fatty liver disease includes the signs and symptoms such as Low grade fever Nausea Vomiting Loss of appetite Weight loss Jaundice Tender

Can a Person With Hepatitis C Take Naltrexone?

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  Naltrexone is a drug which is prescribed as a part of treatment for alcohol or any other opioid addiction in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). But the question is that is administering Naltrexone is safe or not in case of Hepatitis infected person. Due to its hepatotoxicity effects, Naltrexone may lead to the increased liver damage. But however in some cases physicians prescribe to take it which will increase the risk of liver damage in addition to Hepatitis C. The fact is that if a person infected with the Hepatitis C is an alcohol or opioid abuse then that will pose more threat than administering Naltrexone. Many Clinical studies revealed that Naltrexone is associated with the increased risk of underlying liver damage. The route of administration of Naltrexone is through Intramuscular injection once in 4 weeks or every day in tablet form. The oral administration is suggested only in alcohol abuse treatment. But however before getting started with Naltrexone it   is important

Hepatitis C and Liver: A Guide for Healthy Liver

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  Hepatitis  can be the underlying cause for many liver problems. The causative organism for Hepatitis C infection is Hepatitis C virus (HCV).   This HCV primarily causes inflammation of the liver which can further progress into many serious conditions such as Cirrhosis .   But some life style changes can overcome these risks. Taking sufficient care of liver can prevent such damage and can also increase the quality of life. Compared to the previous years there is much improvement in the Hepatitis C treatment due to advancement in the anti-viral drug therapy . The following life style changes can protect the liver health: Control your weight        The symptoms of Hepatitis C include initial Weight loss as the body’s immune system tries to fight against the virus. But this infection can leave long-term effect of weight gain. For an individual gaining weight may not be a concern. But people with obesity are more prone to the liver damage. Many studies revealed that people suffering

Can Hepatitis C infection cause skin problems?

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The causative organism for the Hepatitis C infection is Hepatitis C virus (HCV). This viral infection is characterized by the severe liver damage . The other symptoms include fatigue, poor appetite and skin problems including yellow discoloration of the skin, itchy skin and skin rashes. The skin concerns of this Hepatitis C can occur anywhere in the body including arms. The onset of skin problems can be directly due to Hepatitis C or indirectly due to the irritation caused by the injectable that is used to treat liver diseases. To know whether the occurred skin problems are due to the Hepatitis C or not, one should have a brief knowledge over the symptoms of Hepatitis c . The common skin concerns seen in persons infected with HCV include: ·         Jaundice is a condition in which skin and white part of the eyes and nails turns to yellow color. This is due to the accumulation of the bilirubin as the liver fails to break it down. The jaundice symptoms such as dark urine and straw col