Appetite

What is Hepatitis? What are causes of Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is a medical condition in which the liver cells are inflamed.
Overview
- The word hepatitis comes from the Ancient Greek word hepar (root word hepat) which means ‘liver’, and the suffix Latin itis meaning inflammation.
- Its plural is hepatitides.
- This condition is recognized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ.
- This condition can progress to cirrhosis and fibrosis.
- Hepatitis may occur with limited or no symptoms.
- It often leads to jaundice, anorexia (poor appetite) and malaise.
- Hepatitis is acute when it lasts less than six months.
- It is chronic when it persists longer.
- A group of viruses known as the hepatitis viruses cause most cases of hepatitis worldwide.
- It can also be due to toxins (notably alcohol, certain medications, some industrial organic solvents and plants).
- It can also be due to other infections and autoimmune diseases.

How many types of hepatitis are there?
There are five main types of hepatitis that are caused by a virus, A, B, C, D, and E – plus types X and G.
- Hepatitis A
This is caused by eating infected food or water.
- Hepatitis B
This is an STD (sexually transmitted disease).
- Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is usually spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has the disease.
- Hepatitis D
Only a person who is already infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D.
- Hepatitis E
A person can become infected by drinking water that contains HEV (Hepatitis E Virus).
- Hepatitis X
If hepatitis cannot be attributed to the viruses of hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E, it is called Hepatitis X.
- Hepatitis G:
This is a type of hepatitis caused by the Hepatitis G virus (HGV).

Acute Causes

1. Viral hepatitis:
- Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
- Yellow fever
- Adenoviruses
- Parvovirus B19

2. Non-viral infection
- Toxoplasma
- Leptospira
- Q fever
- Rocky mountain spotted fever
- Alcohol
- Toxins: Amanita toxin in mushrooms, carbon tetrachloride, asafetida
- Drugs: Paracetamol, amoxycillin, antituberculosis medicines, minocycline and many others (see longer list below).
- Ischemic hepatitis (circulatory insufficiency)
- Pregnancy
- Auto immune conditions, e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Metabolic diseases, e.g., Wilson’s disease

Chronic Causes
Viral hepatitis:
- Hepatitis B with or without hepatitis D.
- Hepatitis C (neither hepatitis A nor hepatitis E causes chronic hepatitis).

Autoimmune Causes
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Methyldopa
- Nitrofurantoin
- Isoniazid
- Ketoconazole

Heredity Causes
- Wilson’s disease.
- Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.
- Primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis occasionally mimic chronic hepatitis.

Alcoholic Hepatitis Causes
- Long term alcohol consumption.
- Patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease.
- Alcoholic cirrhosis.

A large number of drugs can cause hepatitis:
- Agomelatine (antidepressant).
- Allopurinol.
- Amitriptyline (antidepressant).
- Amiodarone (antiarrhythmic).
- Atomoxetine.
- Azathioprine.
- Halothane (a specific type of anesthetic gas).
- Hormonal contraceptives.
- Ibuprofen and indomethacin (NSAIDs).
- Isoniazid (INH), rifampicin, and pyrazinamide (tuberculosis-specific antibiotics).
- Ketoconazole (antifungal).
- Loratadine (antihistamine).
- Methotrexate (immune suppressant).
- Methyldopa (antihypertensive).
- Minocycline (tetracycline antibiotic).
- Nifedipine (antihypertensive).
- Nitrofurantoin (antibiotic).
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen in the United States) can cause hepatitis when taken in an overdose. The severity of liver damage may be limited by prompt administration of acetylcysteine.
- Phenytoin and valproic acid (antiepileptics).
- Troglitazone (antidiabetic, withdrawn in 2000 for causing hepatitis).
- Zidovudine (antiretroviral i.e., against HIV).
- Some herbs and nutritional supplements.

Other Toxins that can cause hepatitis:
- Amatoxin-containing mushrooms.
- White phosphorus, an industrial toxin and war chemical.
- Carbon tetrachloride.
- Cylindrospermopsin, a toxin from the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and other cyanobacteria.

Metabolic disorders can cause hepatitis:
- Hemochromatosis (due to iron accumulation).
- Wilson’s disease(copper accumulation) can cause liver inflammation.
- Necrosis.
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is effectively a consequence of metabolic syndrome.

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What are different home remedies for common digestive problems?

The main function of the digestive system is:
- to process all the foods and liquids you consume.
- then turn them into nutrients or energy required by the body.
- the food that cannot be digested gets converted to waste matter, which gets expelled from the body.
- this is done by a bowel movement.

The common digestive disorders are:
- heartburn or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- constipation
- diarrhea
- gastritis
- hemorrhoids
- irritable Bowel Disease (IBS)
- gallstones

The other types of digestive disorders are:
- celiac disease
- peptic ulcers
- crohn’s disease
- ulcerative colitis
- diverticular disease
- colon cancer, rectal cancer and stomach cancer are also a part of digestive disorders.

Home Remedies for Common Digestive Disorders
- Drink fresh Aloe Vera juice.
- This is very high in vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients.
- This remedy is said to relieve diarrhea, constipation as well as other gastrointestinal problems.
- Probiotics, which are microbial organisms, are usually found in the digestive tracts of humans.
- They improve the digestive process in the body.
- Consume probiotic yogurt at regular intervals during the day.
- This alleviates the digestive disorders.
- Different types of tea can be very helpful.
- Ginger tea, chamomile tea, green tea and peppermint tea are the effective varieties of tea that alleviate digestive problems.

Use bitter digestive stimulants and herbs like:
- black cohosh,
- angelica,
- yarrow,
- skullcap,
- dandelion
- small quantities of wormwood
- mint,
- lavender,
- fennel,
- rosemary,
- juniper,
- valerian,
- lemon balm

Diet for Common Digestive Disorders
- Follow a healthy diet at all times.
- The BRAT diet is the ideal one which comprises of bananas, rice, applesauce, tea (or Toast).

Diet Aspects
- Eating a high amount of fresh fruits and vegetables can increase the amount of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
- Consumption of whole grains and cereals is also important.
- It adds fiber to your digestive tract.
- Fiber facilitates the movement of the waste matter in the digestive tract.
- High-fiber foods help alleviate constipation.
- Adequate intake of fluids, especially water.
- Make sure that you drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water through the day.

Other Home Remedies
- Ginger garlic with honey juice
- Decoction of Coriander, cardamom, ginger and cloves
- Lemon with honey
- Chamomile tea
- Holy basil with ginger and jiggery
- Cumin seeds with pomegranate
- Cabbage juice
- Papaya juice

What are different kinds and symptoms of common digestive problems?

The main function of the digestive system is:
- to process all the foods and liquids you consume.
- then turn them into nutrients or energy required by the body.
- the food that cannot be digested gets converted to waste matter, which gets expelled from the body.
- this is done by a bowel movement.

The common digestive disorders are:
- heartburn or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- constipation
- diarrhea
- gastritis
- hemorrhoids
- irritable Bowel Disease (IBS)
- gallstones

The other types of digestive disorders are:
- celiac disease
- peptic ulcers
- crohn’s disease
- ulcerative colitis
- diverticular disease
- colon cancer, rectal cancer and stomach cancer are also a part of digestive disorders.

Symptoms for Common Digestive Disorders

1. Heartburn or GERD Symptoms
- Regurgitation of sour liquid or food.
- Dry cough.
- Chest pain.
- Sensation of a lump in the throat.
- Sore throat or hoarseness.
- Dysphagia, which is difficulty in swallowing.
- Burning sensation in the chest, which could spread to the throat.

2. Constipation
- Experiencing a feeling of rectal blockage.
- Passing stools that are very hard.
- Having less than three bowel movements in a week.
- Straining excessively during a bowel movement.
- Pain in the abdominal area.
- Feeling a sensation of incomplete evacuation after passing stools.

3. Diarrhea
- Bloating in the abdominal area.
- Fever.
- Pain and severe cramps in the abdomen.
- Presence of blood in the stool on rare occasions.
- Bloody or black stool in severe and serious cases of diarrhea.

4. Gastritis
- Sensation of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Pain or a burning ache in the upper abdomen.

5. Hemorrhoids
- Bleeding during the bowel movement.
- A lump near the anus, which is painful and sensitive.
- Pain or discomfort.
- Leakage of feces.
- Swelling around the anal area.
- Irritation and itchiness in the anal area.

6. Irritable Bowel Disease (IBS)
- Mucus in the stools.
- Alternate bouts of constipation and diarrhea.
- Flatulence or excess gas.
- Cramps and pain in the abdomen.
- Bloated feeling.

7. Gallstones
- Sudden and intense pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen.
- Pain in the right shoulder.
- Backache, which is worse between the shoulder blades.