We can divide liver disease into two categories. Acute liver disease, chronic liver disease.
What is acute liver disease?
Acute hepatitis is mainly caused by viruses. Hepatitis A, B, C, E viruses directly attack the liver. Among them, hepatitis A and E are both waterborne viruses. That is, these two diseases occur during the rainy season. Because of the heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, the roads become waterlogged. As a result, in some cases, sewage lines are connected with drinking water lines. That is, the purity of the water we drink becomes very important in this regard. So somehow, if a person drinks contaminated water, he remains at risk of contracting the hepatitis A or E virus. As is still seen in Grameganj, the same water used for bathing and washing clothes is being drunk again. Many people have no idea about water that is actually contaminated.
Hepatitis A is more common at a younger age, i.e. within the age of 15 years. Hepatitis E can occur at any age. We need to be especially careful with Hepatitis E. Because such diseases can cause huge complications in childbearing women.
The fatality rate of hepatitis E virus infection is very low, less than 1 percent. However, if a pregnant mother is infected with this virus, the death rate can be very high.
Regarding the prevention of the disease, hepatitis A vaccine is available in the market. Children are given the hepatitis A vaccine to build up an immune system. And the hepatitis E vaccine is not universal. However, the practice of giving this vaccine to pregnant women is starting. Trials of this vaccine have been done in China, Nepal. However, there is still no vaccine for this virus in our country. So expectant mothers should always try to drink pure drinking water. Boil water and drink. Cook in clean water.
What is chronic liver disease?
There are two other viral diseases that can cause chronic liver problems. Examples are hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Both of these viruses are not waterborne. But both viruses are extremely dangerous. Both viruses enter the body through the blood or through previously used injections. For some, getting a tattoo from an anonymous place leaves the risk of the virus entering the body through the needle. Once these viruses enter the body, they do not want to leave the body easily. But chronic liver disease is caused by viruses. This can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver and the risk of liver cancer.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are the leading causes of liver cancer worldwide. Among them, Hepatitis B is more common in Asia and Africa and Hepatitis C is more common in Western countries (Europe, America).
Hepatitis B can also cause acute infection through mismatched blood transfusions. This may be the case with hepatitis C. However, the acute stage of hepatitis C is often not diagnosed. Patients often come to the doctor with chronic problems.
Besides, the reasons behind liver disease are not without discussing a special element in our discussion. That is alcohol. Alcohol consumption levels have increased dramatically across the globe. Alcohol-related chronic liver disease is alarmingly high in our country.
There are also several other causes of liver disease
Concerns remain, such as drug-induced liver disease or drug-induced liver disease. In fact, now many types of medicines have come out for the relief of various diseases. Medicines can work in the body either through the kidneys or the liver. There are some drugs which have very bad effects on the liver. Long-term use of these drugs can cause side effects on the liver.
Also, the number of other diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is also increasing. The name of the disease itself refers to the underlying problem. In this disease the liver cells become filled with fat globules. In some people, this fat causes inflammation. Then this type of liver disease is called steatohepatitis. Steato means fat and hepatitis means liver disease. If proper measures are not taken, there is a risk that the disease will turn into liver cirrhosis in about 20% of cases. This disease is considered as the major disease in the whole world.
Disease prevention and treatment
Many acute liver infections can be controlled with lifestyle changes. Drink water properly with lifestyle modifications to treat hepatitis. Vaccines A, E etc. are also taken properly, no faulty blood transfusions, we are aware of medicines and the main lifestyle disease i.e. the result of idleness, excessive fatty food intake, alcohol consumption etc. is fatty liver. The disease that occurs from fatty liver is first called steatohepatitis and from that liver cirrhosis. Most people in western countries are obese. And that is the main reason for liver transplantation. So slowly where communicable diseases are decreasing, the number of non-communicable or lifestyle diseases is increasing.
Mainly alcohol and fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming the main liver problem. Problems include liver damage, and eventually cirrhosis. Some even require a liver transplant.
Symptoms of Liver Disease
Symptoms of liver disease are difficult to understand. Common symptoms include jaundice, abdominal pain. In case of acute infection, jaundice and some blood tests can clearly tell. Abnormalities noted in liver function tests. From that the doctor can guess about the liver problem. Then some other tests like viral markers are done. Ultrasound is done. It shows the condition of the liver. That is, whether there is cirrhosis or not, or water accumulation in the stomach. Or in many cases whether a tumor is forming in the liver or not.
Ways to prevent disease
Liver disease will be manifested in the same way as you lead your life. It is impossible to cure and prevent this problem without changing your lifestyle.
what to do
Food intake should be closely watched. Do not eat fatty foods in excess. Drink alcohol in moderation. It is better to avoid it, and it is better to get the vaccine. One more thing that must be said about the people of our country is that do not treat yourself.
Don’t buy medicines from the store and take them. Many over-the-counter drugs have serious side effects that can lead to liver damage.
Consult a specialist doctor. There are many medicines that will help you stay healthy, keep disease under control.
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