Many factors can cause hepatitis or liver disease. It is most often brought on by a virus, chemicals, alcohol, drugs, inherited diseases, or your immune system’s poor response. This type of inflammation can vary in severity from chronic to flare-ups. In some cases, it can even be resolved within a few weeks or months with treatment while other people struggle with this disease for years. Still others suffer from chronic hepatitis, which can be present for 20 years or more. In chronic conditions, the symptoms can progressively get worse and lead to cirrhosis (which is a scarring or a loss of function of the liver) as well as liver cancer and death.
Understanding Liver Disease and Hepatitis
The liver is an important organ in your body. It is located on the upper right side of your abdomen. It has a variety of tasks to manage including helping to process the nutrients brought into your body. It helps your body to digest fats by producing bile. It also helps to synthesize proteins so that they are usable by the body’s cells. It regulates blood clotting and the breakdown of toxic substances you’ve ingested to ensure they are harmless to you.
When inflammation in this area occurs at a severe level, it can limit the function of the liver. This may allow for potentially toxic substances to accumulate in your body and can be very dangerous.
Symptoms of Liver Disease
The symptoms of this condition can vary significantly. In fact, they are often confused with the flu. However, for those who suffer from acute hepatitis, the symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Fevers
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice
- Itching
- Dark colored urine may develop in some people
- Light-colored stool is present
Your hepatitis doctor in Brooklyn will also feel the liver to determine if it is enlarged and tender, also symptoms of liver disease.
In chronic hepatitis, the symptoms may not be present at all. Some people may only feel tired or lack energy. In other people, the symptoms become more common as the condition progresses over years. Eventually, it will lead to liver failure. This can take years to occur. It will not go away without proper treatment.
What Is Viral Hepatitis?
Another form of hepatitis, and the most common cause of it, is a viral infection. Viruses that are associated with this condition are associated with a letter, A, B, C, D, and E. Here is a look at them.
Hepatitis A
This condition is commonly spread through food and water contaminated by fecal matter. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about a third of all people in the United States are infected with hepatitis A at some point during their lives. The symptoms of this condition can include flu-like feelings. Most of the time, this condition improves without treatment, or with treatment over six months, and many people never know they have it.
Hepatitis B
Another common type of hepatitis is this form, often simply known as acute viral hepatitis. It is commonly spread through the blood including through infected needles, from mother to child during pregnancy and birth, and from sexual relations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 73,000 new cases of this form of hepatitis in the United States each year. That is much lower than the 260,000 people that were often diagnosed with it in 1980. With this form of hepatitis, most individuals do not need medical intervention to improve. However, up to 3 percent of people become carriers who will remain infected with the condition long term and can transmit it to others as a result.
Newborns are at the highest risk for chronic infection as 90 percent of those who are exposed to it will remain carriers throughout their lives. This is one of the reasons most pregnant women will be tested for hepatitis B and vaccinations are given to young children. This has helped to reduce the amount of children that have been infected with the condition over the long term.
The highest level of chronic hepatitis B today occurs in people born in eastern and southern Asia, southern Europe and in Africa. Here, infections in newborns are still very common.
Hepatitis C
This form of viral hepatitis stems from contaminated blood. This occurs in situations where people share needles. It is common in individuals who consume illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The use of equipment during this type of drug use that’s contaminated with hepatitis can cause it to spread. This type of viral hepatitis is also common in those who get tattoos or body piercings, those who are at a high level of risk of exposure to needles (such as healthcare workers), and those who are sexually active and exposed to blood through tissue tears. It is also found in mothers passing it down to babies during childbirth. It can occur in situations where people have open wounds such as during athletic activities.
This form of hepatitis is less common. Acute cases of it, though, can occur. About 55 to 85 percent of people who are exposed to this form of hepatitis are likely to become chronic carriers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hepatitis D and E
These forms of viral hepatitis are less commonly found in the United States. It only creates an infection when hepatitis B is present. When this is present, it can make the symptoms individuals have much worse. The most common way it is passed is through exposure to blood, such as through infected needles. This type of condition is more common in South America, Africa, and Asia.
Hepatitis from Chemicals
Another way that you can suffer from hepatitis is through a chemically-induced instance. As noted, the liver’s job is to remove harmful substances from the bloodstream that you ingest. This includes alcohol, drugs, and other environmental toxins. The liver then will break those toxins down so they can be used or removed from the body safely. However, when high levels of toxins are present in the system, the liver cannot keep up, and those high levels can accumulate over time.
Liver damage occurs when this type of high level is present over a long period of time. It can be brought on by many types of exposures including by some medications. Acetaminophen, for example, is one type of medication that, when taken in high doses beyond the recommendations provided, can cause liver disease. This can create an acute and life-threatening liver disease in many people, leading to liver failure. Excessive consumption of alcohol can also do this.
Some drugs have the ability to cause liver disease in some people. However, it is not fully understood why they affect some people and not others. These medications can include anesthetics, anabolic steroids, seizure medications, and antibiotics. An allergic reaction to the medication can be an indication of its toxicity to that individual.
Hepatitis That’s Inherited
In some cases, hepatitis can be inherited as well. In fact, these diseases are not known until there is an acute or chronic development of liver disease present. Hemochromatosis is the most common type of inherited hepatitis. It is brought on by the accumulation of high levels of iron in the body. When this occurs, the liver cannot process the high levels fast enough and liver disease can occur.
Another type of inherited form is a deficiency in alpha-1 antitrypsin, which is a commonly inherited disease. In children, both acute and chronic hepatitis can occur. In adults, the liver damage is limited but cirrhosis and liver cancer can be associated with a chronic and worsening level of exposure. Wilson’s disease is another progressively worsening condition that can also be uncovered after liver damage occurs.
Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also known as chronic hepatitis, is yet another form of this condition. This occurs due to the buildup of too much fat in the liver. This is most commonly found in people who have metabolic syndrome. This condition is a combination of ailments that include hypertension, high triglyceride levels, low levels of HDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes. It is also characterized in people who are obese, in particular, those who have a lot of belly fat. The worst version of this condition is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, also known as NASH. The only way to understand if you have this condition is if your Brooklyn gastroenteritis performs a liver biopsy to find it.
Autoimmune-Caused Hepatitis
An autoimmune condition can cause hepatitis as well. This is most often a chronic form of the condition. Over time, it does worsen and leads to damage of the liver. About 24 percent of the time, it may create acute hepatitis. This form of liver disease is most common in women with 70 percent of cases occurring in women, according to the American Liver Foundation.
The body’s immune system targets and begins to attack the liver in this form of the condition. It is not fully understood why this happens. However, when it occurs, it can trigger a significant reaction and significant symptoms. In some cases, there is a correlation with autoimmune hepatitis and conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome, type 1 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis.
If you have hepatitis or think you may have the symptoms of hepatitis, please schedule a consultation with a Brooklyn hepatitis doctor to discuss your condition and the options for caring for it.
Liver Diseases in Pregnancy
Pregnancy-specific liver diseases can be serious and impact the health of both the mother and the child. If you’ve been diagnosed with liver disease while pregnant, it’s important to consult with an experienced gastroenterologist to learn about the managing the condition.
| Summary of Liver Diseases in Pregnancy | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Trimester | Second Trimester | Third Trimester |
| Acute viral hepatitis (A-E) |
Acute viral hepatitis (A-E) |
Acute viral hepatitis (A-E) |
| Gallstones | Gallstones | Gallstones |
| Hyperemesis | Herpes hepatitis | Herpes hepatitis |
| Gravidarum | Cholesatsis of pregnancy | Cholesatsis of pregnancy |
| AFLP | ||
| Pre-eclampsia | ||
| HELLP | ||
Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis or Liver Disease
How do you get hepatitis? What are the symptoms?
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. While viral infections are the most frequent cause, it can also be triggered by alcohol consumption, overdoses of medication, toxins, or autoimmune disorders.
Not everyone with hepatitis has symptoms, even after carrying the inflammation for several years. When hepatitis causes symptoms, they may be mild and can be ignored. These symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Dark urine
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Appetite loss
How many types of hepatitis are there?
There are five primary forms of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are usually spread through contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C, and D are primarily spread through blood or bodily fluids. Each type affects the liver differently and requires a specific approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Which is the most dangerous hepatitis?
The severity of hepatitis depends on the type and its potential for becoming chronic. Hepatitis B and C are often considered the most serious because they can lead to long-term liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if left untreated. Early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes.
Is hepatitis contagious?
Some forms of hepatitis are contagious. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E can all spread from person to person, but the method of transmission varies. Not all types spread through casual contact. Common ways hepatitis can be spread are through water, food, sexual contact, sharing needles, and mother-to-child transmission.
Does getting hepatitis once provide lifetime immunity?
It depends on the type. People who recover from hepatitis A usually develop lifelong immunity. Hepatitis B may also lead to immunity after recovery. However, hepatitis C does not provide lasting immunity, and reinfection is possible.
How does my Brooklyn GI doctor diagnose hepatitis?
Diagnosis typically begins with a physical exam and blood tests to evaluate liver function and detect viral infections. If bloodwork suggests the presence of hepatitis, your GI doctor will order one or more imaging tests, including ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans. The results of blood tests and imaging are detailed enough, but the doctor may recommend a biopsy to determine the extent of the damage.
Does hepatitis go away?
Acute viral hepatitis typically resolves on its own with supportive care. Chronic hepatitis, especially hepatitis B or C, usually does not go away without treatment. Ongoing monitoring and medical management are essential to prevent liver damage.
What are the treatment options for hepatitis?
Treatment depends on the type of hepatitis and its severity. Options may include antiviral medications, lifestyle changes, regular monitoring, and supportive care. Modern treatments for hepatitis C are highly effective with a success rate of over 90% and fewer side effects. Your gastroenterologist or hepatologist will create a personalized treatment plan.
Can I prevent hepatitis with vaccination?
Yes. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and are very effective at preventing infection. There are currently no vaccines for hepatitis C, D, or E, but preventive strategies can significantly reduce risk. Routine screenings are also crucial for some people.
How can I schedule an appointment with a Brooklyn gastroenterologist?
If you are concerned about hepatitis or liver health, Atlantic Gastroenterology offers expert evaluation and treatment at its offices in Brooklyn, NY, and Coral Springs, FL. You can schedule an appointment by calling 718 521-2840 or requesting a consultation online—no referral is needed. Prompt care can make a meaningful difference in protecting your liver health.
