Exposure of hepatitis A virus can cause severe liver infection, which is usually lighter and resolves by itself. There is a considerable difference in the symptoms and duration of the disease, in which many people do not see any signs. Two of the symptoms associated with hepatitis A infections are fever and joint. If you drink water or food which has become contaminated with the stools of someone with the virus, then you can catch the disease. You may also be infected, if you:

1. Eat fruits, vegetables, or other foods that were contaminated during handling
2. Eat chopped raw shellfish with water that has a virus
3. Swallow the contaminated snow

If you have this infection, your liver may be swollen due to your virus. You do not always get symptoms, but when you do, you may have:

Jaundice
Pain in your stomach
loss of appetite
Nausea
Fever
Diarrhoea
Fatigue
Children generally have diseases with some symptoms. You can develop hepatitis A virus approximately 2 weeks before your symptoms appear and they appear during the first week, or even if you do not have any.

If you are prone to the disease:

Stay with someone who is infected
Visit the country where Hepatitis A is common
How is it detected?
Blood tests enable doctors to detect it.

Is there a prolong effect?
Usually, the virus does not cause any long term issues or complexities. But as per the CDC, 10% to 15% people with Hepatitis A will have symptoms that last for long periods or come back in the 6- to 9 month s period. In rare cases, some people may suffer liver damage or require transplantation.

Is there a Hepatitis A Vaccine?
Yes, Vaccination is suggested:

Visitors to places of the world with an increase infection in hepatitis A.
Men who had stayed with an infected person.
People with blood clotting problems
Any person with prolong liver disease
What is the treatment?
There is no treatment to cure this disease. Your doctor can take such tests to check your liver function to make sure that your body is recovering.

Receiving vaccination is your best protection. If you come in exposure with someone with hepatitis A, you can get a particular drug called immune globulin within 2 weeks.
Good hygiene is also necessary. After using the bathroom, always wash your hands with soap and water, after changing the diapers, before and after managing the food.
If you have symptoms of Hepatitis A or infection then meet your doctor. Vaccination within two weeks of contact with Hepatitis A can help against the development of infection.
Patients with preexisting liver disease should be vaccinated as occurrence of hepatitis A can lead to risk to life.

Hepatitis A - Cases Where Vaccination Is Beneficial!

Autoimmune Hepatitis is a condition in which the liver gets inflamed. This occurs when the immune system of the body attacks the liver cells. Still, the actual cause of Autoimmune Hepatitis is still unknown. 

In general, environmental and genetic factors trigger this condition. It is one of the chronic diseases which when left untreated can lead to Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or the worst Liver Failure. Still, if it is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be treated by using certain medications. 

Although there are many ways by which it can be controlled or treated, the Ayurvedic approach is one of the best ways to treat this condition without any side effects. Ayurveda works on the principle of balancing the doshas and energies of the body.

Before understanding how Ayurveda helps in treating Autoimmune Hepatitis, let's explore the functioning of the liver.

Liver and Its Function:

The liver is an important organ and gland of the body that participates in the process of digestion. It secretes bile juice that helps in the digestion of fat. Apart from this, the liver also plays an important role in the filtration mechanism. It filters unprocessed components and toxins. It prevents the toxins from going into circulation and damaging the important organs of the body. It also filters the toxins from circulating the food essence coming through the portal circulation (circulation of blood from the small intestine, spleen, and right half of the colon to the liver). The liver is one of the hematopoietic organs that help in the process of cell maturation.

In Ayurveda, the liver is known as Yakrit, which forms  channels that carry mature blood throughout the body (Rakta Vaha Srotas). The liver is the chief site of Ranjaka Pitta i.e., one of the subtypes of Pitta. The Ranjaka Pitta is responsible for the force by which the heart pushes the blood to other parts of the body. It also helps in blood circulation.

If the Pitta is vitiated in the liver, it may cause inflammation of the liver and generate an autoimmune process leading to a condition called Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Autoimmune Hepatitis And Ayurveda:

Among the three doshas (Pitta, Vata, and Kapha) in Ayurveda, Pitta participates in the activities related to the digestion process. If it gets imbalanced, it starts destroying the components and cells of the body, mainly the organs or areas in which it is produced and stored. This also affects the channels and areas where it is functional and all the parts which come in contact with impaired Pitta.

When Pitta is imbalanced in the liver, it will interrupt the normal functioning of the liver making it unable to differentiate between self and non-self immunity and damage the cells of the liver. This process is known as autoimmune process and one of the main causes of Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Take Away:

Ayurveda works on the principle of balancing the Pitta dosha to limit the symptoms of Autoimmune Hepatitis. However, it is advisable to consult an Ayurvedic Liver specialist before going for any medicines.

Autoimmune Hepatitis - Knowing The Ayurvedic Approach!

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis is a redness and swelling (inflammation) of the liver. It sometimes causes severe liver damage.

There are several types of hepatitis. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis D, Hepatitis E.

In hepatitis B, the liver is infected with the hepatitis B virus. This causes inflammation. The liver isn t able to work properly.

Hepatitis B can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).

Acute hepatitis B - This is a brief infection (6 months or less) that goes away because the body gets rid of the virus. 
Chronic hepatitis B - This is a long-lasting infection( it lasts more than six months.) that happens when your body can t get rid of the virus. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of developing liver cirrhosis liver failure and liver cancer. 
The causes of hepatitis B -

Hepatitis B is caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus. People pass the hepatitis B virus to each other. This happens when you come into contact with another person s infected:

Blood 
Semen 
Vaginal secretions 
Saliva
Common ways this virus is spread are through:

Needle sticks 
Sharp instruments 
Shared razors and toothbrushes 
Unprotected sex with an infected person 
Sharing drug supplies
Babies may also get the disease if their mother has the virus. 

Who is at risk for hepatitis B? 

Anyone can get hepatitis B by coming into contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is infected with hepatitis B.

Some people are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B. They include:

Children born to mothers who have hepatitis B 
People who have a blood-clotting disorder, such as hemophilia 
People who need dialysis for kidney failure 
People who use IV (intravenous) drugs 
People who have unprotected sex. 
People who have a job where they are in contact with human blood, body fluids, or needles 
People taking medicines(immunosuppressant) that weaken (suppress) the body s infection-fighting system (immune system) 
People with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or hepatitis C infections
Pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B. 

Symptoms of hepatitis B

Hepatitis B has a wide range of symptoms. It may be mild, without symptoms, or it may cause chronic hepatitis.

Each person s symptoms may vary. The most common symptoms of hepatitis B is as follows.

Loss of appetite 
Nausea 
Extreme tiredness (fatigue) 
Fever 
Muscle soreness 
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) 
Dark urine 
Clay-colored or light-colored stools
Belly (abdominal) pain, discomfort. 
Easy bleeding and bruising 
Confusion 
Swollen belly - fluid accumulation.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis B -

Blood tests can detect signs of the hepatitis B virus in your body. 
Liver ultrasound. 
Liver biopsy
Complications of hepatitis B -

1. Liver failure can lead to death.

2. The risk of liver cancer is higher in people with hepatitis B.

3. Long-term or chronic hepatitis B can cause severe liver damage. The most severe liver damage is called cirrhosis. The liver stops working properly.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Hepatitis B -

Ayurvedic treatment mainly boost the immune system to get the rid of Hepatitis B virus. Specially ''Rasayan'' Ayurvedic treatment that is very effective to rejuvenate each and every cell of our body and mainly liver tissue. Nectar like Ayurvedic medicine help to slow down or stop the virus from damaging the liver.

Ayurvedic Treatment is helpful to decrease the amount and destructive energy of virus in the blood, Rejuvenate liver tissue, reduce complications.

Important points to prevent hepatitis B?

A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B. The vaccine is suggested for everyone age 18 years and younger, as well as for adults over age 18 who are at risk for the infection.

You can protect yourself and others from hepatitis B by:

Using condoms during sex 
Making sure any tattoos or body piercings are done with tools that have been cleaned properly and do not have any germs (sterile) 
Not sharing needles and other drug supplies 
Not sharing toothbrushes or razors 
Not touching another person s blood or body fluids unless you wear gloves.
Though there are treatments available in Ayurveda, it is advisable to consult an Ayurvedic liver specialist before opting for any treatment.

Hepatitis B And Its Ayurvedic Treatment!

Hepatitis A is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). It infects the liver causing it to become inflamed and dysfunctional that causes discomfort to the individual. It is necessary to treat the infection on time because if it is taken lightly, it can become chronic. So, the symptoms such as fever, jaundice, weight loss, and nausea should not be ignored. It should be treated on time and Ayurveda offers to be a complete and side-effect free treatment procedure that can give one permanent cure.



Pitta imbalance in Hepatitis A
According to Ayurveda, any liver infection or disease is caused by the aggravation of pitta in the liver. It is believed that when the pitta becomes vitiated, the body experiences problems. Since the liver is governed by pitta, any aggravation in this life energy instantly affects the liver and makes it prone to infections and diseases. In case of hepatitis A too, the pitta becomes aggravated because of the viral infection and thus, the Ayurvedic remedies and therapies seek to correct this imbalance.

Toxin elimination in Hepatitis A
When the liver is infected by the HAV virus, it is weakened and cannot function to its full potential. It is not able to flush out the toxins properly, which causes the toxins to build up in the liver, causing pitta imbalance. Therefore, the elimination of these toxins also becomes a part of the hepatitis A treatment. The Ayurvedic medicines such as katuki, triphala, and bhumi amla come armed with strong detoxification action and thus, remove the toxins from the system. Even external therapies such as virechana work to cleanse the system of the patient and purify the blood, which relaxes the entire body.

Strengthening digestive system
In hepatitis A, the liver is affected by the infection and since the liver is directly related to metabolism, the infection takes a toll on the digestion too. So, Ayurveda tries to boost the digestive system too and it does so with the help of medicines and regulated diet. The medicines restore the health of the liver and the regulated diet makes sure that no strain is passed on the liver. Also, abstinence from alcohol and smoking further boosts the immunity and expedites healing.

Ayurvedic treatment effects
The impact of Ayurvedic treatment is highly beneficial for the liver. They relax the inflamed liver walls and repair the liver cells helping it revert to its normal state so that it can function properly. They also cure the symptoms like fever, jaundice, weight loss, stomach pain by boosting immunity. The digestion is taken care of too in ayurvedic treatment and thus, the healing happens at a faster rate.

Ayurveda is highly recommended in cases of hepatitis A as the medicines and remedies are not harsh on the body and there is no fear of side-effects. The recovery is comfortable for the patient, irrespective of age, and they can be sure of lasting relief. So, as soon as the infection is diagnosed, the treatment should be started as early treatment helps in quick recovery.

In case you have a concern or query, you can always consult an ayurvedic doctor for proper line of treatment.

Hepatitis A - Top Ayurvedic Remedies For It!

28th July is considered to be World Hepatitis Day. Viral hepatitis can invade the human body in a variety of ways, but it is in your hands to prevent this infection from intruding your body and mess with your health. Hepatitis is a disease that takes a toll on the human liver. There are 5 different types of hepatitis from Hepatitis A to E, but there are ways you can take to prevent yourself against the same, such as:

Know how the Hepatitis spread: On the basis of the different types of Hepatitis, there are two main ways by which hepatitis gets its way from one person to another, contact with infected blood and body fluid as well as contact with the infected stool. It is important to note here that Hepatitis A and E are carried through the faeces of the affected individual. Also, a person may get infected with Hepatitis A and E even if you consume contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B, C along with D can also spread through the infected blood. 
Get the proper immunization: There are vaccines available all across the world to prevent spreading Hepatitis A and B. But it is crucial to point here that it is not possible to prevent Hepatitis C and D and sometimes Hepatitis E as well. But the Hepatitis C can be cured when the patient has received effective anti-viral medications. There are no vaccinations for Hepatitis D but the virus causing this infection requires Hepatitis B for survival. Therefore, getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B will help prevent the disease from affecting you.
Get the right precautions while travelling: When travelling, no one can tell whether you will get access to clean and purified water. Water contaminated with impurities can lead to Hepatitis A as well as E. You should take proper precautions and immunizations in the first place. If you are going to a place that doesn t have access to clean water, you should steer clear from ice cubes, running tap water, cut fruits and raw vegetables which may have been cleaned in the water with impurities.
By being aware and taking necessary precaution, getting affected by hepatitis can be prevented.

World Hepatitis Day - How You Can Prevent Yourself?

Hepatitis B and C are both viral infections of the liver caused by Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) virus respectively. Though the viral infections mostly affect children, adults are equally susceptible, if not more. The condition, if left untreated can have serious consequences on the liver (liver damage, scarring, liver cirrhosis and even cancer). 

The symptoms for hepatitis B and C are almost similar and include:

Abdominal or belly pain.
Jaundice is one of the common and most important symptoms or medical condition associated with hepatitis B and C. The infection often interferes with the ability of the liver to filter out the bile pigment, bilirubin (the breakdown product of hemoglobin).
Extreme tiredness and exhaustion.
Nausea, loss of appetite.
There may be a fever and vomiting in case of hepatitis B.
In both hepatitis B and C, the infection causing virus can spread through

Unprotected sex.
From the affected person (through their blood, body fluids or open sores).
Use of infected needles and syringes.
In the case of hepatitis C, the virus can also spread from the pregnant women to her child.
Though conventional medications and treatments are available, many people go for the Ayurvedic treatments instead. Ayurveda adopts a holistic approach in treating the ailment or disease. The treatment is 100% natural and thus, have negligible or no side effects at all. The Ayurvedic treatment may be time-consuming, but it treats the condition from the base (it works towards identifying and eliminating the very underlying factor responsible for the ailment). The approach is similar in the case of hepatitis B and C. In addition to treating hepatitis, the medications also bring about a remarkable improvement in the associated symptoms (like jaundice, fatigue and nausea).

Some of the Ayurvedic medicines used to treat hepatitis B include

Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus Niruri): Bhumi Amla can be used to treat Hepatitis B and the associated symptoms successfully. The medicine lowers the bilirubin level in the blood, thus providing relief from jaundice (one of the characteristic symptoms of Hepatitis B and C). It is also an effective medicine to deal with liver failure or liver problems.
Echinacea (Andrographis): The medicine has anti microbial properties and, thus, checks and prevents the growth of the HBV (Hepatitis B Virus). It also enhances the overall functioning of a person's immune system (immune booster).
Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna): People with Hepatitis B can benefit immensely from this medicine. Like Echinacea, Arjuna is also known to be an immune booster.
Kaasni: The medicine is used to treat hepatitis B and liver problems. Kaasni is also an excellent blood purifier.
The ayurvedic medicine for Hepatitis C include

Kalmegh (Andrographis Paniculata): The medicine comes as a relief for people with hepatitis C and liver problems. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties of Kalmegh further enhances its effectiveness.
Guduchi (AMBROSIA), Haritaki (TERMINALIA CHELUBA), CURCUMA LONGA are few other Ayurvedic medicines that are equally effective in treating Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis B & C - Can Ayurveda Help You In Treating It?

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