Hepatitis

Are you suffering from Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation condition of the liver and liver tissue, caused mostly by infectious agents.

The word Hepatitis is derived from the Greek hêpar (ἧπαρ), meaning “liver”, and -itis (-ῖτις), meaning “inflammation”.

Symptoms of Hepatitis

Some people have no symptoms whereas others develop

1. Yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes,
2. Poor appetite
3. Vomiting
4. Tiredness
5. Abdominal pain, or
6. Diarrhea.

Hepatitis may be temporary (acute) or long term (chronic) depending on whether it lasts for less than or more than six months.

Acute & Chronic Hepatitis

Acute hepatitis can sometimes resolve on its own, progress to chronic hepatitis, or rarely result in acute liver failure.

Chronic hepatitis may progress to

1. Scarring of the liver
2. Liver failure, or
3. Liver cancer

Hepatitis Causes

The most common cause of hepatitis worldwide is viruses.

There are five common Hepatitis Viruses – A, B, C, D, and E.

Other causes of Hepatitis

1. Other viruses, including the Epstein-Barr or Cytomegalovirus, have been implicated as causative agents of hepatitis
2. Bacteria
3. Fungi
4. Protozoa
5. Worms and
6. Spirochetes
7. Autoimmune hepatitis
   Inflammation in the liver and the immune system attacks the liver.
8. Autoimmune diseases
9. Post-transfusion hepatitis, or long-incubation hepatitis
10. Certain drugs & medications
11. Toxins
12. Other Infections
13. Alcoholic hepatitis
    Liver inflammation caused by drinking too much alcohol. Heavy alcohol use.
14. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Non–alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of non–alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, the buildup of fat in the liver. When this buildup causes inflammation and damage, it is known as NASH, which can lead to scarring of the liver.

There is no specific treatment for NASH; however, a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity, a healthy diet, and weight loss, is essential.

Five main types of Viral Hepatitis

Currently, there are five main types caused by viruses, known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis A and E are mainly spread by contaminated food and water.

Hepatitis B is mainly sexually transmitted, but may also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C infection is caused by a virus that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation.

Both Hepatitis B and C are spread by infected blood, such as may occur during needle sharing by intravenous drug users.

Hepatitis D can only infect people already infected with hepatitis B.

Hepatitis D is a severe liver disease caused by infection of the hepatitis D virus.

Hepatitis E
A liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus.

Worldwide in 2015, hepatitis A occurred in about 114 million people; chronic hepatitis B affected about 343 million people and chronic hepatitis C, about 142 million people.

In the United States, NASH affects about 11 million people, and alcoholic hepatitis affects about 5 million people.

Hepatitis results in more than a million deaths a year, most of which occur indirectly from liver scarring or liver cancer.

Hepatitis A is estimated to occur in about 2,500 people a year in the United States, resulting in about 75 deaths. [1]

Aims of Treatment:

• Provide diaphoretic therapy for the acute infectious phase.
• Support the immune system with herbal antivirals and immune modulators.
• Support the liver with herbal hepatoprotectives and
  hepatotrophorestoratives.
• Address dietary considerations, e.g. avoidance of alcohol, fatty foods,
  artificial food additives and unnecessary drugs.

We use various naturopathic principles to treat the cause and look for the disharmony in your body and mind to bring your body back to balance. Please see below a brief treatment (Rx) protocol and reference guide, with choices to help improve your health and wellbeing. Click on the headings and links within for more treatment information.