Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver. The causes are various and may include viruses, medications, or toxic agents. There exist at least five forms of viral hepatitis – hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. In addition to these exist a number of other hepatitis types, such as alcoholic hepatitis, toxic/drug related hepatitis, granulomatous hepatitis and an autoimmune variant. Hepatitis is characterized by various symptoms depending on the type of hepatitis. In the acute stage, symptoms may be characterized by a low-grade fever, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, impaired appetite, slight abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. In the worse stages, symptoms may be characterized by jaundice, dark urine, light stools, itching, enlarged spleen, hives, headache, vertigo, sleepiness, and impaired circulation. Depending on the type, hepatitis may be treated with cessation of recreational drugs or alcohol, rest, a medication named interferon, corticosteroids, a protein rich or carbohydrate rich diet, the Hindu traditional medicine, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, herbal remedies, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Particular types of hepatitis may be prevented through vaccinations.

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