Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver most commonly triggered by an infection mainly Hepatitis A, B and C viruses. That being said it can also be caused by a bacterium such as TB or syphilis as well as fungus and parasites. Drugs and alcohol can also trigger Hepatitis. Typically, when someone develops liver cirrhosis it means it is a very late and progressed stage of chronic hepatitis.
Different Types of Hepatitis
Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis) is caused by a hepatovirus that is spread by fecal-oral contact (contaminated water supplies) or blood. Water and food-borne epidemics are common and most individuals with this virus most often contract it while travelling outside North America.
Hepatitis B (serum hepatitis) can be spread during childbirth from an infected mother ot through blood (intercourse, shared drugs, needles, etc). there is a prodrome of flu-like symptoms followed by an icteric phase of jaundice. The liver is enlarged and tender and this type of hepatitis usually ends in liver failure and cirrhosis.
Hepatitis C is less common but occurs in10% of people receiving blood transfusions. it is called serum hepatitis and in addition to being contracted through the transfusion of blood, it can also be contracted through the same routes as Hep B.
Symptoms of Hepatitis
- Jaundice
- Nausea and vomiting
- intolerance to fatty food
- Enlarged and tender liver
- Fever
- Dark urine and light stool (because there is intrahepatic obstruction to conjugated bilirubin release into the biliary system so is excreted in urine instead and normal pigment of stool is not present)
- Signs of toxicity (chronic conditions developing as a result of poor emunctorial drainage)
- Weakened immunity
The Biology
The Hep A virus incubates between 3 to 6 weeks whereas Hep B has prolonged incubation of 4 to 26 weeks. Hep C incubated between 2 to 26 weeks however people can be asymptomatic for years following infection.
The Bile passages are often obstructed in those with Hepatitis so that the outflow of bile is impeded and then cholestasis occurs and jaundice may develop as a result.
Unlike hep B and C, Hep A does not cause chronic hepatitis and rarely causes a sudden and severe onset of hepatitis which makes it fatality rate very low. Those with Hep B very often experience full recovery however some proceed to develop chronic hepatitis which causes them to be a carrier of the virus and may also cause cirrhosis and possibly liver cancer. Mortality rate for Hep C is the highest and about 40% of individuals with it develop chronic conditions. Hep C is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease.
Testing
Liver enzymes are tested when diagnosing. The damaged liver cells release intracellular enzymes into the blood known as AST and ALT. When liver enzymes appear elevated in blood work, this can be indication of Hepatitis. When the biliary tract is involved, plasma alkaline phosphatase (PAP) is elevated and is found in the cells lining the bile canaliculi. GGT is also raised. Signs of liver dysfunction include decreased albumin in the blood and decreased ability to clot. Viral etiology can be tested by finding hepatitis viral surface antigens in the blood and anti-hepatitis antibodies.
What Can Be Done
Diet:
- Eat a natural, whole foods, alkaline diet rich in antioxidants and superfoods (curcumin).
- Avoid alcohol, sugars, processed and refined foods, shellfish, chemicals and food additives and pesticides, especially glyphosate and GMOs.
- Increase fiber intake and dark green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables.
- Avoid deep fried and fatty foods that can burden the liver
Supplements:
- Probiotics
- Pure Encapsulations Berberine Immune Support (increases Th1 immune response – take with guidance of a practitioner)
- High dose vit C to clear jaundice
- Lipoic acid and bioflavanoids to protect the liver
- Choline to solubilize at and cholesterol in the liver and aid its removal via bile.
- Methionine
- Glutathione and/or NAC
- Taurine (plays a major role in liver function)
- Liver glandular
- Enzymes, ox bile and Betaine HCl with meals
- B complex
- Genestra Liv-gen (liver support)
- Catechin and schissandra berry protect the liver
- Dandelion
- Burdock cleanses liver and blood
- Beetroot tones the liver
- Artichoke to stimulate elimination of bile
- Licorice root is antiviral
- Doing Biotherapeutic drainage under the RESOURCES Section for 8 weeks
*Avoid too much vit A, iron and Omega 3s as they can stress the liver during their conversion*
Lifestyle:
- Apply castor oil packs over the liver
- Get good quality sleep and take melatonin if needed
- Reduce stress
- Practice deep breathing
- Exercise frequently