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My Doctor Says I Have Hepatitis! Written By: Omar Tamimi, WRITTEN BY: OMAR TAMIMI, MD, Chair, Division of Gastroenterology GASTROENTEROLOGISTS OF OCEAN COUNTY Community Medical Center
Hepatitis is an often-misunderstood condition of the liver that can, at times, be fatal. Proper management in its early stages can prevent long-term injury and liver failure. What does hepatitis mean? Hepatitis is a general term used to describe an illness caused by the inflammation of the liver itself. The individual cells of the liver become inflamed, which results in the dysfunction of the entire liver. How did my doctor discover that I have hepatitis? Hepatitis is usually first diagnosed by routine blood tests that measure quantities of proteins (enzymes) that are normally produced by liver cells. When these levels are high in the bloodstream, this suggests the liver cells have been damaged and are leaking the enzymes into the blood. Hepatitis is defined as acute or chronic, based on how long the inflammation has been present. Inflammation lasting greater than 6 months is considered chronic. Not all causes of hepatitis are capable of causing a chronic condition, for example, Hepatitis A infection. What causes hepatitis? There are many causes of hepatitis—too numerous to mention here. The most common causes are viruses; thus the frequent description of the diagnosis refers to it as a viral illness. The viruses that designate Hepatitis A, B and C are the most prevalent. Other common causes include hepatitis from excess fat in the liver, alcohol consumption, as well as ingestion of prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen. Our own immune system can also cause hepatitis by producing antibodies against liver cells. Can I have hepatitis without symptoms? Many, if not most, patients with hepatitis have no symptoms or are unaware of the symptoms they may be experiencing, which is why patients may be suffering a chronic condition and not even know it. Common symptoms, when they are present, include fatigue, fever, vague abdominal pain, dark urine and yellowing of skin and eyes. Acute hepatitis will cause symptoms in the patient more often than chronic hepatitis. What testing will I need to undergo? The vast majority of the investigation will involve extensive blood testing. This will allow your physician to narrow down the potential cause of your hepatitis. An ultrasound of the liver is almost uniformly ordered to evaluate the anatomy for any structural defects or growths, as an early part of the investigation. A biopsy of the liver is frequently required to determine the severity of inflammation, help isolate and exclude the cause as well as scarring from chronic inflammation. This is usually performed under ultrasound or CT guidance. How serious is hepatitis? Acute hepatitis that becomes overwhelming can lead to liver failure and possible death. Chronic hepatitis can lead to extensive scarring of the liver called cirrhosis. This may eventually result in liver failure or possible liver cancer. Is hepatitis curable? There are many causes for hepatitis with just as many treatment options. Your doctor will advise you on the appropriate treatment for your individual condition. Some medications can clear viral infections from the bloodstream with eventual eradication. This results in resolution of the hepatitis. Other treatments slow the progression of hepatitis to cirrhosis and liver failure. Therefore the appropriate detection, identification and treatment of hepatitis is mandatory for good health. In summary, hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by a variety of factors. The exact cause must be properly identified to optimize treatment regimens. This will minimize the likelihood of the long-term complications of liver disease. Call today to schedule your appointment at Gastroenterologists of Ocean County.
The County Woman Magazine
“I cannot say enough, how everyone was kind and understanding. This was my first time using Dr. Tamimi and I now have become a patient for life. There was no judgment from anyone. Thank you all, for being so caring.” ~ Wayne, age 51, Bayville
www.TheCountyWoman.com
“Dr. Tamimi and his staff are as good as it gets!” ~ Joseph, age 72, Waretown
“Everyone was just wonderful! If every doctor and his staff were like Dr. Tamimi and his staff, there wouldn’t be any complaints!” ~ Judith, age 68, Toms River
OMAR TAMINI, MD JILL COLLIER, MD EDGAR BIGORNIA, MD KENNETH GLAZIER, MD JAI MIRCHANDANI, MD TERESA MENADIER, MD
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