Although hepatitis is now a recognized illness, there is very little that people still know about it and how to prevent it. Hepatitis literally means swelling of the liver and indicates some form of destructive process taking place in the liver. Depending on the type, cause and stage of the disease, the liver may be able to repair and heal itself to full functioning, or may become chronically ill. Any persistant disease can lead to scarring of the tissue, which the worst condition of the liver.
The liver controls some of the most important functions of the body. The liver is responsible for the clearance of waste materials from the body. It helps in the digestion and assimilation of many body products. And finally, it is one of the main areas where the drugs are metabolized and converted into their active form or waste products and expelled from the body.
While liver is responsible for removing toxic substances from the body, it is also the most susceptible place for getting affected by drugs, chemicals or toxins. Any viral and bacterial conditions can also cause infections of the liver and may damage it permanently.
Alcohol is also amongst the most common causes of liver problems. Alcoholism is amongst the most common causes of non infectious reasons of liver failure. Alchoholism effects are likely to stay for long times, and cannot be removed or cleared immediately from the body. Since liver is able to tolerate the various substances that are sent in its way, drug abuse and increase in the frequency of alcoholism is also a very common finding.
Other drugs that can affect the functioning of the liver include immunosuppressive drugs used in cancers, drugs used for depression, certain anaesthetic agents and certain antibiotics. Therefore, when getting any form of prescription, it is essential that the patient inform of their physician of any liver illness or disease currently present or any history of it having taken place.
Since viral hepatitis has become one of the most common causes of liver disease, proper care should be followed to prevent it in the first place. The use of sterilized disposable instruments and needles is a must in maintaining hepatitis free environments. The instruments which cannot be disposed off can be sterilized as per the international protocols and can be used with out fear. The men should be advised not to have any shaves or cuts take place in barber shops where hygiene standards are unsatisfactory. People should avoid eating unhygienic food as well. All blood donations should first be verified for no presence of any hepatitis causing germs.
Hepatitis claims many lives every year, and chronic hepatitis run risk of developing into liver cancer. Therefore, keeping in touch with the doctor will help in increasing awareness about the condition and ways to prevent it.