Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe disease can be caused by:
Medications that can cause damage to the liver include methyldopa (used uncommonly for high blood pressure), isoniazid for tuberculosis, seizure medications (like valproate and phenytoin), chlorpromazine, amiodarone (for irregular heart rhythm), and certain antibiotics (including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and erythromycin). If you need to take any of these, your doctor may need to check your liver function.
Liver disease can also be caused by inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Wilson's disease, a condition that involves having too much copper in your body (the excess copper deposits in the liver).
Other causes include:
Hepatitis may start and resolve quickly (acute hepatitis), or cause long-term disease (chronic hepatitis). In some instances, progressive liver damage, liver failure, or even liver cancer may result.
The severity of hepatitis depends on many factors, including the cause of the liver damage and any underlying illnesses you have. Hepatitis A, for example, is generally short-lived, not leading to chronic liver problems.
Common risk factors include:
See also:
The symptoms of hepatitis include:
Many people with hepatitis B or C do not have symptoms when first infected and can still develop liver failure later. If you have any risk factors for either type of hepatitis, you should be tested periodically.
Signs and testsA physical examination may show yellowing of the skin, an enlarged and tender liver, or fluid in the abdomen (ascites) that can become infected.
Your doctor may order laboratory tests, including:
Your doctor will discuss possible treatments with you, depending on the cause of your liver disease. Your doctor may recommend a high-calorie diet if you are losing weight.
Support GroupsThere are support groups for people with all types of hepatitis, which can help you learn about the latest treatments and better cope with having the disease.
See: Liver disease support groups
Expectations (prognosis)The outlook depends on many factors, including the cause of the hepatitis and whether or not you have additional illnesses or conditions that complicate treatment or recovery. Many people recover fully. However, it may take months for the liver to heal.
Eighty percent of those with hepatitis C go on to have chronic liver disease and, possibly, liver failure (cirrhosis) or liver cancer. Hepatitis C is the number one reason for receiving a liver transplant in the United States.
ComplicationsPermanent liver damage, liver failure, or liver cancer can occur. Other complications include spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (when fluid in the abdomen becomes infected), and esophageal varices, which can bleed significantly.
Calling your health care providerSeek immediate care if you:
Call your doctor if:
The following hepatitis vaccines are available:
A shot of immunoglobulin may also prevent infection. This is true even after you have been exposed:
Other steps to take:
When to get tested for hepatitis:
Dienstag JL. Hepatitis B virus infection. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1486-1500.
Jou JH, Muir AJ. In the clinic. Hepatitis C. Ann Intern Med. 208;148:iTC6-1-ITC6-16.
Sjogren MH. Hepatitis A. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Sleisenger MH, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier;2006:chap 74.
Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver. It is not a condition, but is often used to refer to a viral infection of the liver.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsHepatitis can be caused by:
For more information about the causes and risk factors for different types of hepatitis, see also:
Liver disease can also be caused by inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis, a condition that involves having too much iron in your body (the excess iron deposits in the liver).
Other causes include Wilson's disease.
SymptomsHepatitis may start and get better quickly (acute hepatitis), or cause long-term disease (chronic hepatitis). In some instances, it may lead to liver damage, liver failure, or even liver cancer.
How severe hepatitis is depends on many factors, including the cause of the liver damage and any illnesses you have. Hepatitis A, for example, is usually short-term and does not lead to chronic liver problems.
The symptoms of hepatitis include:
Many people with hepatitis B or C do not have symptoms when they are first infected. They can still develop liver failure later. If you have any risk factors for either type of hepatitis, you should be tested regularly.
Signs and testsA physical examination may show:
Your doctor may order laboratory tests to diagnose and monitor the hepatitis, including:
Your doctor will discuss possible treatments with you, depending on the cause of your liver disease. Your doctor may recommend a high-calorie diet if you are losing weight.
Support GroupsThere are support groups for people with all types of hepatitis, which can help you learn about the latest treatments and better cope with having the disease.
See: Liver disease support groups
Expectations (prognosis)For information on hepatitis outlook, see these articles:
Other complications include:
Seek immediate care if you:
Call your doctor if:
For more information on how to prevent hepatitis, see:
Dienstag JL. Hepatitis B virus infection. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1486-1500.
Jou JH, Muir AJ. In the clinic. Hepatitis C. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148:iTC6-1-ITC6-16.
Sjogren MH, Cheatham JG. Hepatitis A. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 77.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/23/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The term "hepatic" refers to the liver. For example, the hepatic duct drains bile from the liver.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/01/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The term "hepatic" refers to the liver. For example, the hepatic duct drains bile from the liver.
inflammation of the liver
hepatic
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The hepatic portal vein in frogs is unusual in that it is divided into two portals, the hepatic and the renal. In higher vertebrates, the hepatic portal system is the only one present.
Hepatic refers to the liver.
hepatic portal vein
Hepatic duct is attached with liver. The union of hepatic duct and cystic duct forms common bile duct.
After eating, glucose is greater in the hepatic portal vein than in the hepatic vein . Hepatic vein contain more glucose before eating, because the stomach is empty .
bawbeg vessel
A portal triad is comprised of a hepatic artery, a hepatic portal vein and a bile duct. There is also a nerve that accompanies each triad.
The hepatic flexure lies in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen.
Hepatic is referring to the liver. For another example, your kidneys are referred to as "renal".
Veins do not send blood to capillaries. They receive blood from capillaries. Arteries send blood to capillaries, in this case, specifically, hepatic arterioles.