Hepatitis
Hepatitis
is a disease characterized by inflammation of the liver,
causing damage to or death of liver cells. There are
two types of hepatitis, acute hepatitis, an attack that eventually heals, and chronic hepatitis,
which causes ongoing liver problems. In the early stages
of hepatitis, symptoms usually include loss of appetite,
fatigue, weight loss, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Rashes
and pain in the joints can also occur. Within three
to ten days, an additional symptom of dark urine may
occur, followed by the skin turning yellow (jaundice).
In addition, the liver usually becomes enlarged and
is tender to the touch. Other symptoms can include mild
flu-like symptoms to severe liver failure and brain
coma.
What To Consider
The
most common cause of hepatitis is a virus that can occur
in 5 potential forms: A, B, C, D, or E. Other causes
include excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse (including
pharmaceutical drugs, such as acetaminophen), overexposure
to chemicals, and, sometimes, as a reaction to properly
prescribed medications.
In
recent years, hepatitis C has been on the increase.
It is most frequently caused as a result of blood transfusions.
Typically, people with hepatitis C are identified either
because they have abnormal liver tests or because of
a hepatitis C antibody test. A positive test does not
necessarily mean serious liver disease, however. People
with hepatitis C may have no liver disease, a mild form
of chronic hepatitis, or a more serious form of hepatitis
that may progress over a number of years to cirrhosis.
The usual indications for treatment are a positive antibody
test for the hepatitis C virus, abnormal liver tests
for more than six to 12 months, and a liver biopsy that
shows chronic active hepatitis. Approximately 20% of
patients chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus
will go on to develop cirrhosis.
Note
Infectious hepatitis can be easily spread two weeks
before and one week after jaundice appears. The feces
of people with hepatitis contain the virus. Therefore,
very strict toilet hygiene and hand and cloth washing
should be observed during this time.
Self-Care Tips
Diet
Follow
a diet low in protein and high in fresh vegetables to
minimize stress on the liver. Also eat small meals throughout
the day, and avoid foods such as refined sugars, alcohol,
and caffeine, which cause stress on the liver, and be
sure to drink plenty of filtered water. Drinking fresh
lemon juice water every morning and evening followed
by vegetable juice is also recommended to help liver
function. Easily digested grains, such as millet, buckwheat,
and quinoa, are also good food choices.
Nutritional
Supplementation
Supplement with vitamin C, beta carotene, liver glandulars,
milk thistle extract, vitamin B complex, adrenal glandulars,
lipotropic factors, pantothenic acid, free-form amino
acids, betaine hydrochloic acid (HCl), multi-enzymes,
and evening primrose oil
Aromatherapy
Rosemary can help stimulate liver function.
Herbs
The liver-cell regenerative properties of herbs such
as milk thistle and licorice can be helpful. Take 1/2
teaspoon of this mixture three times a day.
Tumeric
combined with milk thistle has also been shown to help
alleviate the symptoms of hepatitis B.
Hydrotherapy
For acute infectious hepatitis, alternate hot (one
minute) and cold (five minutes) compresses over the
liver for one hour, repeating this process three times
a day. For chronic hepatitis, place a cold compress
on the liver every night for three weeks; then, reduce
to one week. Repeat for six months.
Juice
Therapy
The following juice combinations can be helpful: beet,
carrot, and wheat grass juice, or garlic, burdock, flax,
and black currants.
Caution
If you think you or someone you know is suffering from hepatitis,
seek the help of a qualified health professional immediately.
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