What is Auto Immune Hepatitis?
v Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic or long lasting disease in
which the body’s immune system attacks the normal components, or cells, of the
liver and causes inflammation and liver damage.
v The immune system normally protects people from infection by
identifying and destroying bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful
foreign substances.
v Autoimmune hepatitis is a serious condition that may worsen over
time if not treated.
v Autoimmune hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Cirrhosis occurs when scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue and blocks the
normal flow of blood through the liver. Liver failure occurs when the liver
stops working properly.
What is mean by autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune
diseases are disorders in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own
cells and organs with proteins called auto antibodies; this process is called
autoimmunity.
The
body’s immune system normally makes large numbers of proteins called antibodies
to help the body fight off infections. In some cases, however, the body makes
auto antibodies. Certain environmental triggers can lead to autoimmunity. Environmental
triggers are things originating outside the body, such as bacteria, viruses,
toxins, and medications.
Causes for Auto Immune Hepatitis
A
combination of autoimmunity, environmental triggers, and a genetic
predisposition can lead to autoimmune hepatitis.
Who mostly get Auto Immune Hepatitis
Autoimmune
hepatitis is more common in females. The disease can occur at any age and
affects all ethnic groups.
Types of Auto Immune Hepatitis
Autoimmune
hepatitis is classified into several types. Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis is the
most common form in North America. Type 1 can occur at any age; however, it
most often starts in adolescence or young adulthood. About 70 percent of people
with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis are female.
Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis commonly have other autoimmune disorders,
such as
Ø Celiac disease, an autoimmune disease in which people cannot
tolerate gluten because it damages the lining of their small intestine and
prevents absorption of nutrients
Ø Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation and irritation of any
part of the digestive tract
Ø Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the
United States
Ø Hashimoto’s disease, also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis
or autoimmune thyroiditis, a form of chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland
Ø Proliferative glomerulonephritis, or inflammation of the
glomeruli, which are tiny clusters of looping blood vessels in the kidneys
Ø Primary sclerosing cholangitis, which causes irritation, scarring,
and narrowing of the bile ducts inside and outside the liver
Ø Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes pain, swelling, stiffness,
and loss of function in the joints
Ø Sjögren’s syndrome, which causes dryness in the mouth and eyes
Ø Systemic lupus erythematosus, which causes kidney inflammation
called lupus nephritis
Ø Type 1 diabetes, a condition characterized by high blood
glucose, also called blood sugar, levels caused by a total lack of insulin
Ø Ulcerative colitis, a chronic disease that causes inflammation
and sores, called ulcers, in the inner lining of the large intestine
Type 2 Auto Immune Hepatitis is less common and occurs more often in
children than adults. People with type 2 can also have any of the above
autoimmune disorders.
Symptoms of Auto Immune Hepatitis
The
most common symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis are
ü Fatigue
ü Joint pain
ü Nausea
ü Loss of appetite
ü Pain or discomfort over the liver
ü Skin rashes
ü Dark yellow urine
ü Light-colored stools
ü Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
Symptoms
of autoimmune hepatitis range from mild to severe. Some people may feel as if
they have a mild case of the flu. Others may have no symptoms.
Autoimmune Hepatitis - Diagnosis
Doctor
will make a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis based on symptoms, a physical
exam, blood tests, and a liver biopsy.
Doctor performs a physical exam and reviews the
person’s health history, including the use of alcohol and medications that can
harm the liver. A person usually needs blood tests for an exact diagnosis
because a person with autoimmune hepatitis can have the same symptoms as those
of other liver diseases or metabolic disorders.
Blood tests. blood tests for auto
antibodies to help distinguish autoimmune hepatitis from other liver diseases
that have similar symptoms, such as viral hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis,
steatohepatitis, or Wilson disease.
Autoimmune Hepatitis Treatment
Treatment
for autoimmune hepatitis includes medication to suppress, or slow down, an
overactive immune system.
Treatment
works best when autoimmune hepatitis is diagnosed early.
People
with autoimmune hepatitis generally respond to standard treatment and the
disease can be controlled in most cases.
Long-term
response to treatment can stop the disease from getting worse and may even
reverse some damage to the liver.
Possible complication of autoimmune
hepatitis and cirrhosis
People
with untreated autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis are at risk of developing
liver cancer.
Eating, Diet, and Nutrition
Researchers
have not found that eating, diet, and nutrition play a role in causing or
preventing autoimmune hepatitis.
Points to Remember
ü Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic or long lasting disease in
which the body’s immune system attacks the liver and causes inflammation and
damage.
ü Autoimmune hepatitis is a serious condition that may worsen over
time if not treated. Autoimmune hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis and liver
failure.
ü Autoimmune hepatitis is more common in females. The disease can
occur at any age and affects all ethnic groups.
ü Autoimmune hepatitis is classified as type 1 or type 2.
ü A Doctor will make a
diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis based on symptoms, a physical exam, blood
tests, and a liver biopsy.
ü A person usually needs blood tests for an exact diagnosis
because a person with autoimmune hepatitis can have the same symptoms as those
of other liver diseases or metabolic disorders.
ü Treatment for autoimmune hepatitis includes medication to
suppress, or slow down, an overactive immune system.
ü Treatment works best when autoimmune hepatitis is diagnosed
early.
ü People with autoimmune hepatitis generally respond to standard
treatment and the disease can be controlled in most cases.
ü In some people, autoimmune hepatitis progresses to cirrhosis and
end-stage liver failure, and a liver transplant may be necessary.
Autoimmune Hepatitis Treatment
¬ Treatment for autoimmune hepatitis includes medication to
suppress, or slow down, an overactive immune system.
¬ Treatment works best when autoimmune hepatitis is diagnosed
early.
¬ People with autoimmune hepatitis generally respond to standard
treatment and the disease can be controlled in most cases.
¬ Long-term response to treatment can stop the disease from
getting worse and may even reverse some damage to the liver.
Homeopathy Treatment for Auto Immune
Hepatitis
Symptomatic
Homeopathy works well for Auto Immune Hepatitis, It helps to extend the Life
Span, So its good to consult a
experienced Homeopathy physician without any hesitation.
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