Conditions

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection. Once inflamed, the liver becomes enlarged and tender and is unable to function normally. As a result, toxins that would normally be filtered out by the liver build up in the body, and certain nutrients are not processed and stored as they should be.

There are different types of hepatitis, classified according to the virus that causes the condition. Scientists have identified the viruses responsible for three leading types of hepatitis: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. There are also other, less common types known as hepatitis D, hepatitis E, and hepatitis G. All are contagious to some extent.

Hepatitis A (aka: infectious hepatitis) is spread through person-to-person contact, fecal contamination of food/water, and raw shellfish taken from polluted water. It is contagious between two to three weeks before, and one week after, jaundice appears.

Hepatitis B (aka: serum hepatitis) is spread through contact with infected blood, from adults to children living together in close contact, through sexual activity, and through blood transfusions. 75% recovery rate with 25% going on to develop cirrhosis or cancer of the liver.

Hepatitis C (the most serious form) accounts for 8,000 to 10,000 deaths a year in America. It's possible to contract hepatitis C from blood transfusions, sharing needles, IV drug use, sexual contact and from mother to child during childbirth. 85% of patients develop chronic liver disease. The virus causes slowly progressing but ultimately devastating damage to the liver. Infected people can take up to six months to develop antibodies, it is still impossible to identify all infected blood that's donated.

Hepatitis D (aka: delta hepatitis) is the least common. It can be spread through sexual contact or from mother to child at birth.

Hepatitis E is rare in the United States. It is spread through fecal contamination of water and food and appears to only be seriously dangerous to pregnant women.

It is also possible to develop hepatitis as a result of exposure to certain toxins, alcohol or drug use, including the overuse of over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. This is called toxic hepatitis. In toxic hepatitis, the amount of exposure to the toxin determines the extent of liver damage.

There is no cure for hepatitis, but most people recover on their own - without suffering permanent consequences. A small percentage of people may develop chronic hepatitis, which lasts for six months or longer. Chronic hepatitismay clear up without inflicting permanent harm. However, like cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis is associated with an increased risk of developing liver cancer.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Fever
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Appetite loss
• Muscle aches
• Joint pains
• Drowsiness
• Dark urine
• Light-colored stools
• Abdominal discomfort
• Jaundice
• Elevated liver enzymes

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis involves both physical assessment and laboratory work and may require biopsy. A detailed history can reveal risk factors as well as previous incidences of hepatitis. Liver biopsy may be needed to confirm chronic hepatitis and to assess disease progression.

Treatment Options:

• Treatment is usually outpatient, but hospitalization may be necessary for severe cases.
• Treatment regimen depends on condition severity and prognosis.

Traditional Treatments:

• Medical treatment for hepatitis consists primarily of observation to make sure the illness resolves and that complications do no develop. Hospitalization is reserved for the most serious cases, in which nitrogen builds up in the blood because the liver cannot process it normally. A low-protein, low-fat diet, intravenous infusions of potassium, laxatives, and medication to bring down blood-nitrogen levels may be used to correct this problem.
• If you are diagnosed with hepatitis, your doctor may prescribe certain dietary modifications. Follow your doctor's instructions.
  If nausea keeps you from eating an adequately nutritious diet, your doctor may prescribe an antiemetic (a drug that inhibits vomiting).
• During the acute and recovery phases of hepatitis, it is important to keep follow-up appointments with your doctor to make certain the inflammation clears and does not become chronic.
• Avoid any product that contains acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, until your liver is healed.
• Interferon alfa is a drug that appears to have some effectiveness against chronic hepatitis B, as well as limited effectiveness against chronic hepatitis C.
• If you are diagnosed with hepatitis A or B, close contacts of yours should be treated with immune globulin, which may prevent them from contracting the disease.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Alternative therapies may support liver function, minimize severity of the disease, and enhance healing.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• Alpha-lipoic acid has antioxidant properties that protect the liver. Follow label directions.
• Beta-1,3-D-glucan is an excellent antioxidant that stimulates the activity of macrophages, which surround and digest cellular debris.
• Free-form amino acid complex supplies necessary protein and takes strain off of the liver.
• Glutathione protects the liver. Take 500 mg twice daily, on an empty stomach.
• L-arginine detoxifies the liver. Take with Glutathione, following label directions.
• L-cycteine & L-methionine detoxifies harmful hepatotoxins and protects glutathione. Take with glutathione and water or juice. 50 mg vitamin B6 and 100 mg vitamin C should be taken with these supplements to aid in absorption.
• Inositol hexaphosphate (also known as phytic acid) a powerful antioxidant that has many positive effects on the body. Including protecting the liver.
• Raw liver extract can promote liver function. Talk with your doctor about injections.
• S-Adenosylmethionin (SAMe) promotes the health of the liver.
• Selenium may help protect against liver cancer.
• Take a multivitamin or mineral complex supplying 25 mg of each of the major B vitamins three times daily. To help to restore energy, take an additional 200 mcg of vitamin B12 three times daily as well.
• Acidophilus and bifidobacteria help to maintain "friendly" bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Take bifidobacteria during the acute phase of the illness, acidophilus during the recovery period, as directed on the product label.
• Catechin, a bioflavonoid, pine bark extract, and grape seed extract have been shown to be very helpful in treating the symptoms of hepatitis. Take 500 mg of catechin two or three times daily or 50 mg of pine bark or grape seed extract twice a day until recovery is complete.
• Choline, a component of lecithin, is beneficial to the liver. Take 250 mg of phosphatidylcholine or choline citrate twice daily until recovery is complete.
• Coenzyme Q10 increases tissue oxygenation at the cellular level and is helpful in fighting viral infection. Take 25 mg two or three times daily.

Alternative Therapies:

• Castor-oil packs reduce acute inflammation and help restore proper liver function.
• Dandelion root, taken in tea or extract form, is noted for its strengthening effect on the liver. Take 500 mg or one cup of tea three times a day for up to one month.
• To support your immune system and give it a boost, take echinacea and goldenseal.
• Gentian strengthens the liver and helps normalize the flow of bile. Take 250 to 500 mg twice daily, with the two largest meals of the day.
• Artichoke increases the effectiveness of liver function.
• Ayurvedic medicine has used beets to promote the regeneration of liver cells.
• Milk thistle is good for any type of liver inflammation. Choose an extract standardized to contain 80% flavonoids (silymarin) and take 100 to 200 mg three times daily during the acute phase, and twice a day for one month during the recovery phase.
• Ligustrum is an immune restorative and anti-inflammatory agent.
• Olive leaf extract is a potent antifungal agent.
• Scutellaria, also known as Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap, is a Chinese herb that is a powerful antioxidant.
• Tumeric is a potent anti-inflammatory.
• Phyllanthus, an Ayurvedic herb, is useful for hepatitis B. This herb is said to eradicate carrier-status hepatitis B in some cases.
• Schizandra is a Chinese herb that has been used successfully for thousands of years for liver complaints. It reduces inflammation and promotes healing. Take 250 mg of schizandra upon in the morning and again at bedtime.
• Other herbs beneficial for hepatitis include black radish, green tea, red clover, and yellow dock.
• There are many homeopathic remedies that can help with hepatitis. Contact your local practitioner for more information.

General Recommendations:

• Eat a raw vegetable and fruit diet for two to four weeks.
• Include artichokes in the diet. Artichokes protect the liver.
• Consume no alcohol in any form. Propylene glycol is a compound related to alcohol that is commonly used in medications that are supposed to be alcohol-free. Avoid it too.
• Get plenty of bed rest.
• Avoid all raw fish and shellfish, and eat no animal protein.
• Avoid chemicals and food additives.
• Keep a person with hepatitis A in isolation to avoid spreading the infection.
• Do not take any drugs that have not been prescribed by your doctor. Read package inserts carefully for information regarding liver toxicity.
• Wash your dishes and tableware in hot water and antibacterial soap, separately from those used by other members of the household.

Warnings:
Follow all doctor's orders and keep all follow-up appointments.