How To Know If You Have Inflammation Of The Liver - By: Neal Kennedy

Liver inflammation is a way of describing the liver disorder that's known to most people as hepatitis.

Causes of liver inflammation vary. One of the most common is a viral infection, which may be acute or chronic. Viral forms of hepatitis are commonly known by alphabetical names like hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, etc. The names of the viruses themselves are usually shortened to HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV and HEV HFV and HGV. HGV has only recently been discovered.

Hepatitis B and C can be particularly perilous, perhaps resulting in serious, even life-threatening diseases like cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Alcohol is an additional cause of liver inflammation. Continual and constant use of alcohol during a period of years eventually causes inflammation. Inflammation can ultimately lead to cirrhosis. Alcoholic hepatitis is three times as common as hepatitis C.

You can also get an inflamed liver from certain drugs and chemicals. Even legal drugs like pain killers and pain relievers can be toxic to the liver when they're used improperly or excessively. The amount of inflammation caused by drugs and chemicals depends on what was used, how long it was used, and how much was used. The general state of health of the user is also important. That said, it should be noted that recreational and illegal drugs can be extremely dangerous, even when used in small amounts for a relatively short time.

Certain diseases and conditions can cause an inflamed liver, too. Two of the most common disorders are hemachromatosis (an excess accumulation of iron) and Wilson's disease (characterized by an accumulation of copper). Diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and certain autoimmune disorders are also likely to cause inflammation of the liver.

Symptoms of an inflamed liver vary somewhat depending on a number of factors, but there are four that are typical.

Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Many people call this disorder "yellow jaundice" for this reason, although use of the word yellow is redundant.

Lowered appetite is another telltale sign of liver inflammation. This also causes someone with inflammation in the liver to lose weight because they don't eat enough. this sign is particularly noticeable with forms of acute hepatitis. At this stage, nausea and vomiting also tend to occur.

Constant fatigue and a lack of energy are also typical when you have inflammation in the liver. One of your liver's main function is to help control your metabolism and energy levels, so when it is inflamed, your energy is reduced. You're also likely to feel weak.

Muscle and joint pain is another of the most common signs of hepatitis. The soreness could continue for several days and even go on for weeks.

Pain in the liver area itself may also occur when you have an inflamed liver. It could radiate up to the right shoulder. This pain will vary depending on how far the inflammation has progressed.

There's often no treatment needed for acute viral hepatitis because it usually heals itself with time. However, certain medications may be helpful with hepatitis b and hepatitis c. Medications known as interferon and ribavirin are often used in such cases. When liver inflammation is caused by autoimmune hepatitis, it is usually treated with corticosteroids.

Patients with any form of hepatitis should stop drinking alcohol right away and should also avoid taking any drugs, medications or pain relievers without consulting a doctor.

About the Author

For more information on this and related topics, click on dangers of an inflamed liver and liver pains. Neal Kennedy is a former radio and television talk show host with a special interest in medical topics.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Neal-Kennedy/105051

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