Internal organ diseases are very difficult diseases with both the changes they cause in the patient and the treatment processes. Liver disorders, which is one of the heaviest and most important organs of the body, are an example. Acute hepatitis, which causes liver damage, turns into chronic hepatitis if it continues for more than 6 months.
People with chronic hepatitis may have to struggle with this disease for many years. Chronic hepatitis, in which alcohol use and viral infections have a great effect, can also occur as a result of the deterioration of the body's autoimmune balance. You can find the answers to many questions about chronic hepatitis diseases seen in many people in the world, such as what is chronic hepatitis, how does chronic hepatitis occur, what are the types of chronic hepatitis and what are the treatment methods for chronic hepatitis, and more by examining this article.
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What is Chronic Viral Hepatitis?
If acute hepatitis does not go away in a short time and the disease continues for more than 6 months, it is called chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis is more dangerous and risky diseases than acute hepatitis. This long-term disorder in the liver, the largest internal organ of the body, endanger human life. There are three types of viral hepatitis that cause chronic hepatitis. These; They are hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D. The common feature of all three types of hepatitis is that if left untreated, it can lead to death. As a result of the deterioration of the structure of the liver, fluid accumulation in the abdomen and deterioration of cerebral functions are among the usual complications of hepatitis. In addition, chronic hepatitis, which can lead to varicose veins and swelling of the spleen, are among the biggest causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
How Does Chronic Viral Hepatitis Occur?
Viruses that enter the liver can be completely eliminated from the body with the attack of the immune system. This is the state of full recovery. However, by many mechanisms, this virus adds some of its genes to the gene structure of our liver cells and facilitates their reproduction. With this proliferation, more liver cells join the event each time and the disease becomes chronic. It increases at this rate. In addition, alcohol use or long-term use of drugs that are excreted by the liver can tire the cells in the liver and accelerate the course of the disease.
If the liver, which is among the indispensable organs of the body, is surgically removed for any reason (transplant, trauma-related injury in the area taken), the 1/3 part left behind can return to its former size. However, the loss of liver functions, that is, causing insufficiency, unfortunately does not improve with its self-renewal feature. In order to protect the liver, which is a very important organ, alcohol should be avoided as much as possible. Because alcohol directly affects the liver in the body and causes fatigue of the liver with the load it creates here.
In addition to alcohol, people with fatty liver are at risk of developing chronic hepatitis. Foods such as fried, bacon, fatty meats, hamburgers and sausages that prevent the regeneration of liver cells should be avoided.
What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Viral Hepatitis?
In people with this disease;
- Fatigue and weakness,
- Pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen,
- enlargement of the spleen
- Clarification of capillaries in the skin,
- Redness on the inside of the hand
- bloating in the abdomen,
- constant sleepiness,
- brain dysfunction
- Many symptoms such as jaundice can be seen on the skin.
What are the Types of Chronic Viral Hepatitis?
Among the hepatitis diseases, there are three types of hepatitis that become chronic. These are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis D.
Hepatitis B; Chronic hepatitis B, which is common worldwide, is found in approximately 400 million people worldwide. This disease, which is very common in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, spreads easily because it is passed from mother to child. The importance of hepatitis tests during pregnancy is very important. In case of transmission to the baby born when the mother has hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis B often develops in the baby.
hepatitis C; This type of hepatitis, which is transmitted by blood and blood products, can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse. If left untreated, hepatitis C, which causes great damage to the liver, draws attention as an important factor in the formation of cirrhosis. About 200 million people worldwide have the hepatitis C virus. About 40 million of these people are at serious risk of developing liver cancer or cirrhosis.
hepatitis D; This type of hepatitis, called delta hepatitis, needs the hepatitis B virus to survive and multiply in the body. If the person is not a hepatitis B carrier or patient, that person does not suffer from hepatitis D.
Hepatitis D, which has the ability to be transmitted sexually, such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, can also be found due to factors such as body piercing, tattooing and manicure pedicure. This type of hepatitis, which accelerates the course of hepatitis B in the body and increases the damage it causes, also accelerates the course of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
What are the Treatment Methods for Chronic Viral Hepatitis?
Early diagnosis and diagnosis are of great importance in all types of hepatitis. Hepatitis lasting less than 6 months is considered acute hepatitis, while hepatitis lasting more than 6 months is considered chronic hepatitis. In the diagnosis, diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis, Dr. Meral Sözen serves all patients with advanced imaging methods. In addition, with his knowledge and experience, Dr. Meral Sözen always supports patients with this disease. The earlier the diagnosis and diagnosis of chronic hepatitis types are made, the faster and more effective their treatment will be.
