Hepatitis C: Stages and Symptoms

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that severely affects the liver. It is caused by the Hepatitis C virus and leads to inflammation of the liver. In the initial stages, symptoms are mild. It might not require any treatments if the body’s immune system is strong enough to fight the infections. When this is the case, hepatologists ask to get some blood test done to monitor the liver functioning. However, if the body’s immune system is weak and unable to clear the virus on its own, treatment becomes compulsory. Hepatitis C, if left untreated, can result in liver damage, liver cancer and even fatality. To treat hepatitis c, best hepatologist in Delhi or anywhere else usually prescribe some interferons and antivirals. Let us check out the stages of hepatitis C.

Acute Hepatitis C

The first six months of Hepatitis C, after contracting hepatitis C virus, is considered to be the acute phase. People suffering from acute hepatitis C usually do not experience any symptoms. But if they do, they might notice early symptoms which include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• JaundicePeople having strong immune system recover from acute hepatitis c within a few weeks without any treatment.

Chronic Hepatitis C

When the body’s immune system is weak enough to fight the infection, hepatitis C gradually progresses to the chronic stage. Often, chronic hepatitis C goes undiagnosed for years and symptoms take time to show up. In the chronic stage, continuous inflammation of the liver kills healthy liver cells. When this starts happening, the following symptoms start appearing:

• Fatigue
• Stomach upset
• Decreased appetite
• Pain in joint and muscles

Compensated Cirrhosis

Compensated cirrhosis is the early period of cirrhosis. At this stage, due to inflammation in the liver, liver cells get damaged and hardened scar tissues replace the liver cells. At this stage, it becomes difficult for the liver to filter toxins and as a result, these toxins start contaminating the blood. Some of the symptoms of compensated cirrhosis are:

• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Unusual weight loss
• Brain fog
• Fluid retention and swelling in the abdomen
• Bruising
• Loss of muscle mass

Decompensated Cirrhosis

In decompensated cirrhosis, due to liver scarring liver dysfunction arises. At this stage, serious complications like liver failure and liver cancer might occur and they can be fatal. Some of the symptoms of decompensated cirrhosis are:

• Swelling in legs
• Brain fog
• Bleeding from the large blood vessels in the oesophagus
• Jaundice
• Bruising
• Ascites, i.e. accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
• Severe fatigue
• Continuous weight and muscle loss

Hepatitis C is contagious. There are high chances of getting infected with hepatitis C if people come in contact with the blood or the body fluid of an infected person.

Gallstones: Meaning, Causes, Types, and Symptoms

The gallbladder is an organ of the shape of a small pouch that is situated below the liver. The function of the gallbladder is to help in digestion by storing and releasing the bile produced by the liver. When it collects and hardens inside the gallbladder gallstones are formed. A gallstone can be as small as a grain of sand and as big as a golf ball. 

Causes of Gallstones

• When an excess amount of cholesterol is present in the bile

Under normal circumstances, bile has enough chemicals to dissolve the cholesterol that is secreted by our liver. However, if the amount of cholesterol secreted by the liver larger than the amount that chemicals in bile can dissolve, it can lead the formation gallstones.

• When an excess amount of bilirubin is present in the bile

Bilirubin is a chemical that is produced when the red blood cells in our body break down. Conditions like cirrhosis, biliary tract infection and blood disorders causes the liver to produce bilirubin in excess amount. The overproduction of bilirubin by the liver contributes to the formation of gallstones.

• When some amount of bile is retained in the gallbladder

Gallbladder usually becomes empty after we consume food as it helps indigestion. While digestion if the gallbladder doesn’t become empty and a certain amount of bile is retained inside gallbladder every time, the bile becomes concentrated and leads to the formation of gallstones. 

Types of gallstones

• Cholesterol Gallstones

As we read above that sometimes liver secretes cholesterol more than than the amount that chemicals in bile can dissolve. Gallstones formed due to this cholesterol are called cholesterol gallstones. These gallstones are yellowish-green in colour. 

• Pigment gallstones

It has been explained above that sometimes gallstones are formed due to excessive production of bilirubin. These gallstones are called pigment gallstones. They are dark brown or black. 

Symptoms of gallstones

• Pain in the right-hand side of the upper abdomen, just below the ribs
• Pain in the right shoulder and back
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Heartburn
• Gas
• Diarrhoea

See the best hepatologist in Delhi or anywhere else if you experience following signs of severe infection or inflammation:

• Fever
• Feeling of cold
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Dark urine
• Clay-coloured poop

Gallstones can be troublesome if not treated on time. Under severe condition, you might have to undergo surgery to get rid of gallstones.

Common Medical Conditions Diagnosed and Treated by Hepatologists

Hepatology is a prominent and quite crucial branch of medical science. This domain deals with the prevention, study, diagnosis, and treatment of ailments that affect the liver, pancreas, biliary tree, or the pancreas of a person. All these organs are crucial to the overall health and well-being of a person. Hence, it is vital that people consult the best hepatologist in Delhi or some other Indian urban hubs, in case they face any hepatology related problems. 

Here are a few of the most common medical conditions that are usually diagnosed, treated, and managed by hepatologists:

• The diseases of the liver that are caused due to high alcohol consumption which include fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis.
• Viral hepatitis infections like hepatitis A, B, C, and E. These ailments are known to affect millions of people across the planet every year. Together Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are responsible for more than 80% of all liver cancer cases. 
• Liver injuries of diverse types, as well as gastrointestinal bleeding caused by portal hypertension which might be linked to any such injuries. 
• The process of liver transplantation and even the various related post-surgical care and treatment that the patient would need. 
• Jaundice, which is also referred to as icterus. In this condition, a greenish and yellowish pigmentation is caused on the skin of the patients due to high bilirubin levels.
• A few types of infections which are common in tropical countries and regions, such as hydatid cyst, kala-azar, and schistosomiasis.
• Pancreatitis, particularly when it is caused due to gallstones or excessive alcohol consumption on the part of the patients. 
• Long-term damage caused to the pancreas or biliary tract due to conditions like cancer, infection, bleeding, or some kind of obstruction. Such damage can be caused due to alcohol as well. 
• Drug metabolism, as well as genetic or metabolic liver disease.

These were only a few of the numerous ailments and diseases that are diagnosed and treated by hepatologists. People must contact the best hepatologist in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or some other metro city in case they have been suffering from any symptoms of any kind of gastrointestinal or liver disease.

Hepatology: All your questions answered!

You may be on the lookout for the best hepatologist in Delhi, Mumbai, or other cities, but do you actually know about what the specialization is actually about? Knowing more about Hepatology can actually help you a lot when it comes to finding the best hepatologist in Delhi or in other cities.

What is Hepatology?

It is one of the many branches of medical sciences and it covers prevention and cure of diseases of the liver, gall bladder, biliary tree, and pancreas. The term is derived from the Greek words “hepatikos” and “logia”, which mean liver and study, respectively. Hepatology covers jaundice and liver-related ailments such as cancer and transplantation. The field also covers drug overdose, pancreatitis, GIT bleeding, and biliary infection bleeding. The field is known for diagnosis, management, and prevention of ailments such as liver cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, and hepatitis.

Who is a Hepatologist?

A hepatologist is a doctor who has specialised in the diagnosis, prevention, and management of the liver and its associated ailments. The liver is one of the primary organs that require special attention in terms of treatment. A hepatologist is known to cure the diseases listed earlier. These cures also come along with management and effective treatment of the diseases. A hepatologist also follows up with patients who have undergone a liver transplant process, as it is quite a tedious process that may lead to severe complications in some cases.

Medical Procedures that hepatologists perform

There are several procedures related to diagnosing ailments of the liver, gall bladder, biliary tree, or pancreas that are conducted by hepatologists, some of which are:

· Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography – This process is used to diagnose and treat many biliary and pancreatic diseases.

· Transhepatic pancreato-cholangiography – It uses an X-ray to detect obstructions in the bile ducts or the liver.

· Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt – It is a process that involves an artificial channel that is made to create a connection between the portal and hepatic veins.

Ailments for which you should consult with a hepatologist

· Liver-related diseases which are caused by excess intake of alcohol. This also involves cases of fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

· Viral hepatitis infections (hepatitis A, B, C, and E).

· Prevalent cases of drug overdose, especially paracetamol overdose

· Jaundice

· Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by hypertension which is linked to liver injury

· Enzyme defects causing liver enlargement in children, known as liver storage diseases

· Cases of tropical infections such as hydatid cyst, kala-azar or schistosomiasis

· Cases of liver transplantation

· Acute and advanced cases of liver cancer

· Genetic and metabolic liver diseases

· Pancreatitis, caused by alcohol consumption or gallstones

· Drug metabolism

· Damage to the pancreas or biliary tract caused by infections, cancer, alcohol, bleeding, or obstruction

A hepatologist can play a major role in helping you maintain the health of your liver, gall bladder, biliary tree, and pancreas.

What is a Hepatologist’s Role in General?

A healthy human body defines a healthy human mind. Keeping your body clear of diseases and problems is what everyone looks forward to, but diseases are bound to plague you, and the most common of it all are problems related to the digestive system, which can occur due to unhealthy food habits or because of consumption of substances.

This is where a hepatologist comes in. A hepatologist is one who specialises in diagnosing and treating disorders of the liver and other organs related to it, such as the pancreas, gallbladder, and the biliary tree. Hepatology is a part of gastroenterology, which studies the entire digestive system.

The Role of a Hepatologist

Your liver and the other organs in connection with it are responsible for the digestion of your food and disorders related to the system can be treated by a hepatologist who specialises in these organs and is a better option in comparison to a gastroenterologist.

Diseases such as hepatitis, scarring liver diseases, liver cancer, gallstones, and others can be better treated at the hands of a hepatologist.

Treats your ailing liver (due to cancer and drug overdoses)

A hepatologist is the front-line doctor who is referred to when dealing with such dangerous diseases. They are trusted with the treatment of such diseases as they are the ones who can treat the organ that they specialise in to restore its normalcy. Go for the best hepatologist in Delhi or other major cities if your liver is ailing from such dreadful diseases.

Diagnosis before and after a liver transplant

A Hepatologist is well-versed with every part of your liver, and diagnosis after a successful liver transplant at their hands can be a more reliable one. You can also follow-up with a hepatologist for diagnosis during your pre-transplant days. A hepatologist doesn’t carry out the actual surgery.

Hepatologists can be well considered for such diagnosis due to their vast expertise related to this organ. They also make recommendations related to the patient’s transplant surgery when conventional medicines are not working. Therefore, get your liver treated by a hepatologist for a better diagnosis and results.