What Is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a disease of the liver, that cause inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by several factors, the factors includes:
- Viral infections
- Autoimmune condition
- Excessive alcohol intake
The major causes of hepatitis is viral infections (viral hepatitis) which are:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
They are caused by different types of viruses and are spread by different means. These can be acute hepatitis (short period of time) or chronic hepatitis (long period of time).
Hepatitis enters the body and then moves to the liver and begin to replicate in the liver cells (hepatocytes). At this stage the virus becomes very active, in which the activities can damage the cells of the liver. The damaged cells cause inflammation of the liver which may cause the liver to be weak and inability to function well. The liver contributes health of all the system in the body, because it has over 500 functions to keep the body healthy. The infections can affect the overall health of the body.
Some Of The Important Functions That May Be Affected Are:
- Synthesizing immune system factors.
- Making important blood protein (blood clot).
- Breaking down of various substance.
- Filtering of toxins.
- Storing of excess blood sugar (glucose) as glycogen.
- Deamination of amino acids.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hepatitis A, B and C?
- Loss of appetite.
- Dark urine.
- Pale, clay colored stood.
- Fever (high body temperature).
- Joint pain.
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes).
- Diarrhea, especially infections of hepatitis A.
Some of the symptoms may not be shown on time even after contacting viral hepatitis. People may not be aware of the conditions until which it affects severe.
How Do You Contact Hepatitis A Virus?
Hepatitis A Virus is mainly transmitted through the:
- Fecal oral tube: this can happen by indigestion virus that is present in the stool of an infected person. Hepatitis A Virus (H.A.V) can be present in stool and blood of the person with the virus H.A.V can be transmitted by several means, which includes:
- Consuming already contaminated foods or drinks.
- Taking care of a victim of H.A.V.
- Coming too close to a victim, person to person contact with one who have been infected.
- Having contact with contaminated object like toilet, spoon, plates with out washing hands.
- Consuming shell fish that is not well cooked and was a source of sewage contaminated water.
- Hugging, hand shakes, kissing with person having the H.A.V.
- The virus takes 15 - 50 days to incubates in the body of it's victims. The symptoms will start manifesting between that period. Hepatitis A is a short term illness. The treating can be done by medications for easing the headache, fever and pains. The vaccine is available to protect against the infection of H.A.V. It is recommended for children and for all people who are at risk for contacting the virus. The vaccine needs to be given within 2 weeks of exposure. Most people with H.A.V recover and get well and gone it's not likely to come back.
What Is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is caused by the infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can be contacted by coming into fluids or some one with hepatitis B (victims).
How Do Someone Contact HAV?
- Injuries from needles sticks or sharp injury.
- Sharing items that may come from an infected person, such as nail, clippers, razor blade, tooth brushes, spoons, fork and cups.
- Direct contact with blood or open sore of someone with hepatitis B.
- Sharing hospital equipment's such as injectable drugs equipment.
- Mother who have the virus can transmit it to the born child.
- Sexual intercross with a victim.
The treatment is by the use of antiviral medication on the people with chronic hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B can releases the risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer. Treating HBV early can lower the risk of further complication.
What Is Hepatitis C?
This is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), it is also transmitted by blood and bodily fluids that contain the virus. The incubation periods of hepatitis C is between 14 and 18 days. It can last up to 182 days. Chronic form of hepatitis C can occur if not treated. Many people with the diseases don't have the symptoms such as fatigue or feeling tired and depressed. People with HCV can develop into liver cancer or cirrhosis, it takes many years to happen.
Who Are At Risk For Developing Cirrhosis And Liver Cancer?
- Male are more at risk than women.
- Age, over 50 years are at risk.
- Drinking alcohol excessively.
- Present of another type of liver disease.
- The use of immunosuppress medication.
What Is The Dietary Management For Hepatitis?
It is very important for hepatitis patients to watch their diet by eating healthy diet. Hepatitis can vital or cause permanent liver damage so therefore dieting plays a very vital role in managing hepatitis. Put into consideration, foods that are easy on liver not foods that will make the liver works harder, this may cause more complication of the disease.
What Are Recommended Foods For Hepatitis?
- Healthy protein: such as low fat milk, beans, eggs, soya beans and products are recommended to managed hepatitis, 1.5gms of healthy protein per kg body weight is recommended.
- Unsaturated fats: such as olive oil, omega 3 fatty acids from 🐟 are healthy oils that are recommended and should be included in their diet.
- Fruits: intake of fruits plays vital roles in managing liver diseases. Fruits contains essential nutrients and can easily be digested. Fruits and vegetables should be very significant part of the diet for quick recovery from hepatitis. They contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that will prevent further damaged to the liver cells. It is advisable to eat fresh and seasonal fruit and vegetables and avoid already processed and canned products.
- Vegetables: such as carrots 🥕, Cucumber🥒, cabbage, garden eggs, water leaves, baobab leaves, okra, moringa leaves are very excellent in diet.
- Whole grain and cereal: they are very important in any liver diseases diet. Whole grains are high in fiber that helps to control bowel movement and remove excess cholesterol and bad fat from the gastro intestinal tract (G.I.T), which prevents the accumulation of fat in the body, therefore preventing further damage of the liver and other systems. Whole grains and cereals are whole millet, whole corn, whole sorghum, whole finger millet, whole Hungary rice (acha), whole wheat, etc.
- Drink lots of fluids and water daily.
- Have enough and adequate rest in order not to over stress the body system.
- Eat small meal at a time.
- Don't skip meal as you are dieting.
- Legumes plays a very important role in the diet of hepatitis patients, legumes such as beans, peas, Bambara nut, lentils should all be part of the diet daily. It increase protein .
- Addition of coffee in diet is very important for hepatitis B.
- Increase orange juice for hepatitis C patients, its high in antioxidant compound.
What Are Food To Avoid For Hepatitis?
Some types of foods needs to be avoided as they may harmful to the liver. Consumption of these foods can cause more damage as they may aggravate the disease and complicates the condition to a more serious case.
- Salt intake: Hepatitis patients must reduce the intake of salt to prevent accumulation of sodium. therefore limits or cut off high sodium foods.
- Alcohol: Alcohol and cigarettes (they are not good for the liver and other organs).
- Avoid eating Meat: Avoid red meat such as beef, lamb etc. due to high fat, sodium and uric acid, instead not more than once or twice a week and must be lean cut.
- Sugar intake: Avoid or limit sugar intake for a healthy liver. Fruits juice should be limited because they have high concentration of sugar, which may be difficult for the liver to breakdown, therefore stressing the liver especially when there is hepatitis. Also avoid or limit sweetener.
- Avoid bad fats and oil: Bad fats such as saturated, hydrogenated oil must be avoided for life to keep the liver healthy. Also avoid trans fat, instead go for unsaturated fat and omega 3 fatty acids.
- Avoid processed foods items: Especially when recovering from hepatitis. Processes foods have additives and ingredients that are hard to liver. Fast foods, junks should be avoided during hepatitis, they worsen the disease and lower recovery.
- Lower the intake of iron: If the hepatitis is chronic, the patient find it hard to process iron. Therefore overloading the liver and blood with excess iron. Cut of foods high in iron such as liver, meat, grains that are fortified with iron. Fish such as tuna and fruits and vegetables such as apricots and spinach high in iron should all be restricted.
- Avoid vitamins supplements or drugs: instead consult your doctor for prescription.
- Avoid eating undercooked or row shell fish: They could be contaminated with bacteria which could cause more damage to the liver.
- Avoid inhaling fumes from plants and some toxic chemicals: They could damage the liver.
- Avoid eating foods that mold on them: mold are found on foods if they are stored in conditions. The foods could be contaminated with aflatoxins which are known to be a risk factor to developing cancer of the liver.
What Are The Recommended Nutrients For Hepatitis?
- Protein ---- 1.2 to 1.5gms per kg.
- Calories ------ 35 to 40 kcals per kg body weight.
- Drinking coffee regularly has been found to slow the progression, decreases the risk of cirrhosis formation and liver cancer.
Note: People with hepatitis are advise to stick to healthy diet high in low sugary and low sodium vegetables and fruits, avoid bad fats and foods that are contaminated. Take coffee regularly to prevent further damage, then lastly consult with the Dietitian for dietary menu plan, which will modified to meet up your recommended intake.
Contact +2348137323444 or [email protected] for dietary menu plan...…. thank you
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Disease and Disorders