Liver and hepatitis:

Liver is the largest gland in human body. Its weight is approximately 3 lb (1.36 kg). It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of different sizes and lengths. It is also the largest internal organ. It is located below the diaphragm on the right in the thoracic region of the abdomen. Blood reaches the liver through hepatic artery and the portal vein. The portal vein carries blood containing digested food from small intestine, while the hepatic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from aorta. The liver is made up of thousands of lobules; each lobule consists of many hepatic cells. Hepatic cells are the basic metabolic cells of the liver. Liver has a wide range of functions, including:

·        Detoxification (filters harmful substances form blood, such as alcohol).

·        Stores vitamins A, D, K and B12 (also stores minerals).

·        Protein synthesis (makes certain amino acids - the building blocks of proteins)

• The production of biochemicals needed for digestion, such as bile
• Maintains proper levels of glucose in the blood
• Produces 80% of body's cholesterol (cholesterol is vital)
• The storage glycogen (also converts glucose to glycogen)
• Decomposing red blood cells
• Synthesizing plasma protein
• The production of hormones
• Produces urea (the main substance of urine).

Some more information about hepatitis:

¨      Hepatitis can heal itself with no significant consequence, or it can progress to scarring of the liver.

¨      Acute hepatitis lasts under six months, while chronic hepatitis lasts longer.

¨      Most liver damage is caused by 3 hepatitis viruses, called hepatitis A, B and C.

¨      Hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and some other toxins and infections, as well as from our own autoimmune process (the body attacks itself).

¨      About 250 million people globally are thought to be affected by hepatitis C, while 300 million people are thought to be carriers of hepatitis B.

¨      Not all forms of hepatitis are infectious.

¨      Alcohol, medicines, and chemical may be bad for the liver and cause inflammation.

¨      A person may have a genetic problem, a metabolic disorder, or an immune related injury. 

¨      Obesity can be a cause of liver damage which can lead to inflammation. These are known as non-infectious, because they cannot spread form person-to-person.

 

Types of hepatitis

There are five main types of hepatitis that are caused by a virus, A, B, C, D, and E - plus types X and G.

1.   Hepatitis A,  is caused by eating infected food or water. The food or water is infected with a virus called HAV (hepatitis A virus). Anal-oral contact during sex can also be a cause. Nearly everyone who develops Hepatitis A makes a full recovery - it does not lead to chronic disease.

2.    Hepatitis B, is an STD (sexually transmitted disease). It is caused by the virus HBV (hepatitis B virus) and is spread by contact with infected blood, semen, and some other body fluids. Hepatitis B gets by:

§                        Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person (unprotected sex means without using a condom).

§                        Using a syringe that was previously used by an infected person (most commonly happens with drug addicts and people who inject steroids).

§                        Having your skin perforated with unsterilized needles, as might be the case when getting a tattoo, or being accidentally pricked. People who work in health care risk becoming infected by accident in this way. Sharing personal items, such as a toothbrush or razor, with an infected person.

§                        A baby can become infected through his mother's milk if she is infected.

§                        Being bitten by someone who is infected.

The liver of a person infected with hepatitis B swells. The patient can suffer serious liver damage due to infection, resulting in cancer. For some patients the hepatitis becomes chronic (very long-term or lifelong). Donated blood is always pre tested for hepatitis B.

3.  Hepatitis C,  is usually spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has the disease. It is caused by the virus HCV (hepatitis C Virus). The liver can swell and become damaged. In hepatitis C, unlike hepatitis B, liver cancer risk is only increased in people with cirrhosis and only 20% of hepatitis C patients get cirrhosis. Feces are never a route of transmission in hepatitis C. Donated blood is also tested for hepatitis C. Misuse of anesthesia can result in the transmission of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. The cause of infection tends to be from anesthesia contamination, and not endoscopy contamination. Experts say that more effort is needed to better educate the health care community about the importance of strict sterile techniques when using any type of anesthesia.

4.   Hepatitis D,  Only a person who is already infected with hepatitis B can become infected with hepatitis D. It is caused by the virus HDV (Hepatitis D Virus). Infection is through contact with infected blood, unprotected sex, and perforation of the skin with infected needles. The liver of a person with Hepatitis D swells.

5.  Hepatitis E ,  A person can become infected by drinking water that contains HEV (hepatitis E virus). The liver swell but there is no long-term consequence. Infection is also possible through anal-oral sex.

6.  Hepatitis X ,  If a hepatitis cannot be attributed to the viruses of hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E, it is called hepatitis X. In other words it is a kind hepatitis of an unknown virus.

7.  Hepatitis G, This is a type of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis G virus (HGV). Usually there are no symptoms. When there are symptoms, they are very mild.