Hepatitis: Its Types, Symptoms, Causes, and Homeopathic Treatment

Hepatitis

The word hepatitis arise from the Ancient Greek word hepar meaning 'liver', and the Latin itis meaning ‘inflammation’. So Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver.

The most common cause of hepatitis is viruses. Other causes may include excessive alcohol use, certain medications, toxins, other infections, and autoimmune diseases.

Types of Hepatitis

Hepatitis is mainly of five types that are caused by a virus, A, B, C, D, and E. These can be commonly determined by a laboratory test. Hepatitis types A, C, D, and E is caused by viruses that have a core of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA). While the virus responsible for hepatitis B has a DNA core.

Causes of Hepatitis

• Hepatitis A and E are mainly spread by contaminated food and water. Hepatitis A is also called infectious hepatitis as it is a very highly contagious disease, but it is rarely fatal.

• Hepatitis B spreads through sexual transmission, but may also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth. Hepatitis B is also called viral hepatitis. It can be severe and often leads to liver cirrhosis. Hepatitis B may commonly transmit through transfusions of contaminated blood.

• Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are commonly spread through infected blood like during sharing of the needle by intravenous drug users. Complications of Hepatitis C can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver failure.

• Hepatitis D can only infect people already infected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis D is the most serious and also the rarest form of viral hepatitis. Many cases of hepatitis D are fatal, and most chronic cases lead to cirrhosis.

• Hepatitis E often occurs in epidemics that can be linked to poor hygiene and contaminated water. Pregnant women can be at risk due to infection by Hepatitis E. The disease has been reported almost exclusively in developing countries.

Symptoms of hepatitis

Many people with hepatitis experience either mild symptoms or none at all. Symptoms may not occur until liver damage occurs.

Acute hepatitis - 

The initial phase of hepatitis is called the acute phase. The symptoms may include:

•    Diarrhea

•    Fatigue

•    Loss of appetite

•    Mild fever and flu-like symptoms

•    Muscle or joint aches

•    Nausea & Vomiting

•    Pain in abdominal

•    Unexplained Weight loss.

Chronic hepatitis - 

The acute phase is not usually dangerous, but it may develop into the fulminant type of hepatitis which is a very serious stage and can lead to death. As the patient gets worse, these symptoms may follow:

•    Portal Circulation problems

•    Dark urine

•    Dizziness & Drowsiness (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis)

•    Enlarged spleen (only alcoholic hepatitis)

•    Headache

•    Hives with or without Itching of the skin

•    Clay-colored stool, which may contain pus

•    Yellow skin, whites of eyes, tongue (jaundice).

Complications                                                                                  

Fibrosis - 

One of the most common complications of chronic hepatitis is fibrosis, which is a type of scarring of the liver. Due to constant inflammation, the liver is damaged and creates scar tissue to repair itself.

Cirrhosis of the liver - 

Extensive fibrosis is called cirrhosis. There are many causes for Liver cirrhosis, but alcoholic hepatitis and Hepatitis C are the most common.

Cancer of the Liver - 

One of the complications of cirrhosis is liver cancer, which is usually two types. First is hepatocellular carcinoma, where liver cells are affected. The other type is cholangiolar carcinoma, which affects the bile ducts.

Liver Failure - 

Liver failure is a serious, but uncommon, complication of hepatitis. In this condition, the function of the liver stopped and this leads to the body shutting down, and eventually, death.

Glomerulonephritis - 

Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disorder caused by inflammation of nephrons and is seen in chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections.

Cryoglobulinemia - 

Seen in chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection, cryoglobulinemia is an uncommon disease caused by an abnormal cluster of a kind of protein that blocks small blood vessels leading to circulation problems.

Hepatic Encephalopathy - 

Severe loss of liver function, such as liver failure, can lead to inflammation in the brain called encephalopathy. This causes mental problems, like confusion, and can lead to coma.

Portal Hypertension - 

One of the liver's important jobs is to filter blood. When this portal system is blocked due to liver cirrhosis and other problems, blood can't return to the liver from the digestive system, and pressure increases. This is called portal hypertension and it is a serious complication and can be fatal.

Porphyria - 

Porphyria is a group of diseases caused by problems processing important chemicals in the body called porphyrins. One type, called porphyria cutanea tara, leads to blistering of the hands and face and is a rare complication of chronic hepatitis C infection.

Viral Co-Infection - 

A challenging complication of hepatitis is the possibility of having two viral infections at the same time. A common with co-infection with hepatitis is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Other common co-infections are with hepatotropic viruses, named A through E. This type of Co-infections can be fatal.

Diagnosis

•    Complete blood count

•    Liver Function Test

•    Laboratory test to identify the virus in the blood

•    Bleeding time

•    Clotting time

•    Imaging- Ultrasonography, CT- scan, MRI

•    Liver biopsy

Role of Homoeopathy in the Treatment of Hepatitis and other liver problem

Homeopathy provides a very effective and safe treatment for Hepatitis and other liver disorders. It relieves the discoloration of the skin, mucous membrane, and sclera.  These medicines strengthen the liver and metabolic system. 

The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat Hepatitis infection but It works by treating the underlying cause and not just the symptoms. The treatment is gentle and the relief obtained is usually long-term.

There are many homeopathic medicines that have the potential to cure Jaundice. Out of them, few are –

Andrographis Paniculata - 

Useful in resistant jaundice. Useful in Hepatitis B and C. It is found useful when Chelidonium Majus does not help.

Arsenic Album

Where hepatitis results from bad food or food poisoning, Arsenic Album is the best Homeopathic medicine. There is burning pain in the liver which gets better with warm drinks.

Aurum Metallicum

Very effective for jaundice during pregnancy. Distension of epigastrium with increased thirst and appetite, followed by burning sensation and hot eructations.

Carduuas Marianus

Carduus Marianus is a very effective remedy for liver cirrhosis with general edema. There is an engorged and laterally swollen liver, which gets worse from pressure. Jaundice.

Carica Papaya

Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly are associated with fever, dyspepsia, and indigestion. Constipation is a marked feature of this remedy. Intolerance to milk even a small amount may lead to pain.

Chelidonium Majus

Chelidonium is very effective in treating an enlarged liver with tenderness. Hepatomegaly with bilious complications. Dull, throbbing pain in the region of the liver is also best treated with Chelidonium. Jaundice due to hepatic and gallbladder obstruction. Pain aggravation on eating. A marked desire for hot food and drinks

Chionanthus

Chionanthus is very effective in chronic cases of jaundice, which recur every summer. The symptoms include an enlarged liver, constipation, clay-colored stools, and very yellow skin.

Crotalus Horridus

Crotalus Horridus is used to treat jaundice cases where the entire body has gone yellow. Pain in the liver, coldness, Constant nausea, and vomiting. Jaundice with hemorrhagic manifestations. Atonic dyspepsia. Complications arise from a blood transfusion.

Lachesis

Lachesis is very effective for liver complaints largely among alcoholics. In cases where the liver region is very sensitive and a person can’t bear anything around the waist, Lachesis is one of the most effective Homeopathic medicines for fatty liver. Sensitiveness of right hypochondrium, hazards of blood transfusion.

Lycopodium

Hepatitis, the atrophic form of nutmeg liver. Shooting pain across lower abdomen from right to left. Excessive flatulence. Bread aggravates. The desire for sweet and warm things.

Natrum Sulpuricum

Natrum Sulphuricum is one of the great Homeopathic medicines for liver problems like jaundice where the symptoms include a liver region that is sensitive, tender, and sore to the touch. Vomiting bile is another indicator.

Nux Vomica

Hepatitis is associated with constipation. Liver enlarged with stitches and soreness. Alcoholic liver.

Phosphorus

Acute hepatitis. Fatty degeneration of the liver, cirrhosis, and jaundice is associated with pancreatic disease. Suppuration with hectic night sweats, enlargement, and marked soreness.

Podophyllum

Chronic relapsing hepatitis. History of repeated jaundice. Pain in right hypochondrium. Not well since the first attack of hepatitis. Irritable temperament with suicidal tendencies.

About the Author: Dr. Rahul Singh

Dr. Rahul Singh is a registered Homeopath and Certified Nutritionist with over 16 years of experience and recipient of multiple awards, helps busy people in this fast life, re-energize with tips on a healthy diet, yoga, beauty, health, and wellness strategies that have an impact on their life.