Autoimmune Hepatitis & Your Health
Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease in which the liver cells are attacked. Autoimmune hepatitis can produce after such viral infections as intense hepatitis A, hepatitis B or measles or after transmission with the Epstein-Barr virus. The disease is normally rather severe and, if not treated, gets worse over time. Symptoms Some people have few, if any, symptoms in the early stages of the disease, whereas others experience signs and symptoms such as: yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, abnormal blood vessels on the skin, fluid in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, abdominal discomfort and liver scarring. Individual with advanced stages of autoimmune hepatitis are more likely to have symptoms such as fluid in the abdomen (ascites) or mental confusion. Women may stop having menstrual periods. A routine blood test for liver enzymes can help reveal a pattern typical of hepatitis, but further tests, especially for autoantibodies, are needed to diagnose autoimmune hepatitis. |
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Treatment
Blood tests are needed too identify autoimmune hepatitis from viral hepatitis or a metabolic disease.
The primary treatment is corticosteroid called prednisone, used to suppress an overactive immune system. Corticosteroids may slow down the disease, but everyone is different. In about one out of every three people, treatment can eventually be stopped.
Azathioprine is also used to treat autoimmune hepatitis.
A liver transplant may be an option when autoimmune hepatitis doesn't respond to drug treatments or in cases of advanced liver disease.
By Juliet Cohen
Article not intended to diagnosis, treat or cure hepatitis. Always consult your doctor for health care diagnosis and treatment.
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