Chronic Hepatitis

Title: Chronic hepatitis

Chronic inflammation of the liver is most often observed in those who have suffered acute (especially viral) hepatitis. The factors contributing to the transition of acute hepatitis to chronic hepatitis were discussed above. But hepatitis can also have a primarily chronic course, i.e. develop gradually. This form of the disease is possible with prolonged exposure to small quantities of those toxic substances that in large doses cause acute hepatitis. Another cause of primary chronic hepatitis is prolonged stagnation of bile in the biliary tract, for example, in case of cholelithiasis.

In the liver with chronic hepatitis, along with sluggish inflammation, tissue degeneration (dystrophy) and proliferation of connective tissue occur, which can lead to cirrhosis.

Manifestations of different forms of chronic hepatitis are different and mostly nonspecific. The patient is concerned about weakness, apathy, loss of appetite, weight loss; Yellowness of the white membrane of the eyes and sometimes the skin may periodically occur, often a feeling of heaviness or discomfort in the right hypochondrium. Pain in the liver area is noted when the root cause of hepatitis is stagnation of bile.

As with other liver diseases, in this case it is necessary to strictly adhere to a diet containing a sufficient amount (60-80 g per day) of proteins, half of which should be of animal origin, and up to 400 g of carbohydrates. Fats are added to food only in quantities that make it palatable. If food is low in vitamins, it is recommended to take a multivitamin.

Chronic hepatitis is often accompanied by suppression of gastric juice production, which makes it difficult to digest and absorb proteins. In these cases, it is advisable, after consulting a doctor, to use diluted hydrochloric acid with pepsin or gastric juice, as in chronic gastritis with reduced secretion.

The doctor, focusing on the functional state of the liver, determines a reasonable level of physical activity for each patient.

Prevention of the appearance of chronic hepatitis, as well as its progression, is based primarily on measures for the prevention and treatment of acute hepatitis, as well as cholelithiasis. The main condition for stabilizing or even reversing the development of the disease process is strict adherence to the diet, complete abstinence from any alcoholic beverages and reasonable limitation of physical activity. If chronic hepatitis is associated with occupational hazards, the patient must transfer to another job.