Prevent and treat hepatitis, keep you and me healthy! Take good care of your "little liver" →

When it comes to health, people often think of the heart, lungs, and even the brain, but few people think of the "little liver", which plays an extremely critical role in our body. The liver is the largest organ in the human body and has many physiological functions such as metabolism, detoxification, and energy storage. In recent years, due to the pressure of human survival and increasingly serious environmental problems, liver disease has gradually become a global public health issue. In the era of preventing and treating hepatitis and maintaining good health, let us pay attention to and care for the "little liver" and protect you and your family. So, how much do you know about hepatitis? Now please follow my footsteps and explore the mystery of the "little liver" together!

1. What is hepatitis? What are its types?

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. It is usually caused by various causes, such as viruses, bacteria, alcohol, drugs, autoimmunity, etc., which lead to damage to liver cells and thus damage to liver function. Among these diseases, viral hepatitis is a disease that seriously threatens people's health. The types of hepatitis are as follows:

(1) Viral hepatitis: Most of the hepatitis we talk about in daily life is caused by hepatitis viruses, which are divided into five types: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E. Hepatitis B is the most mentioned hepatitis.

(2) Alcoholic hepatitis: Alcoholic hepatitis refers to a liver disease caused by long-term heavy drinking. It is generally caused by excessive alcohol intake, which increases the burden on the liver and damages liver cells, thus causing inflammation. The harm of alcoholic liver is second only to hepatitis B. The incidence of alcoholic liver is high and seriously endangers people's health.

(3) Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease refers to a disease caused by excessive fat content in liver cells due to various factors. It is the second most common liver disease after viral hepatitis, affecting at least a quarter of the adult population worldwide. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that can lead to fibrosis and eventually develop into cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease.

(4) Autoimmune hepatitis: Autoimmune hepatitis is often related to autoimmune reactions, with genetic susceptibility being the main factor. It is more common in women and can develop into liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure in severe cases.

(5) Drug-induced hepatitis: Drug-induced hepatitis refers to liver damage caused by drugs, which is mainly manifested as liver cell necrosis, cholestasis, cirrhosis, etc., and may even threaten life. The liver is the main organ for drug metabolism and is extremely susceptible to the adverse effects of drugs.

2. What are the functions of the liver?

(1) Metabolic function: The food we eat every day is first digested by the gastrointestinal tract and then transported to the liver. The liver converts it into the components needed by the body. Once the liver is damaged, the liver's metabolism will become abnormal, resulting in insufficient nutrients in the body and endangering health.

(2) Secretion of bile: A normal adult can secrete 800-1000 ml of bile every day. When we eat, the gallbladder secretes concentrated bile and other substances into the stomach. Its function is to break down fat.

(3) Detoxification: When we are sick, the drugs we take or inject, as well as the toxins generated by the body's own metabolism, are broken down by the liver and turned into non-toxic or water-soluble substances, which are then excreted through bile, urine, etc. If the liver is seriously diseased, its detoxification function will be greatly reduced.

(4) Immune function: The liver is an important defense system of the human body. It can phagocytize and eliminate foreign invasions and various antigens produced by the human body itself.

(5) Coagulation: The substances that cause blood to coagulate are basically produced by the liver. In more serious liver diseases, the coagulation factors produced by the liver are reduced, causing coagulation dysfunction, mainly nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and skin bleeding.

(6) Hematopoiesis, blood storage and regulation of circulating blood volume: During the 8th to 12th week of fetal development, the liver is an important component of the hematopoietic system. The liver of a newborn has a certain hematopoietic capacity, but no longer produces blood in adulthood. However, under certain pathological conditions, the liver can restore its hematopoietic function.

3. What are the transmission routes of different types of hepatitis?

(1) Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E: Transmission through the digestive tract, such as when the patient accidentally ingests food or water containing the virus.

(2) Hepatitis B: It is transmitted through blood, mother-to-child, and sexual contact. It can also be transmitted through the oral mucosa and saliva, but not through the respiratory tract or contact. Therefore, hepatitis B is generally not transmitted through daily contact, such as shaking hands and hugging.

(3) Hepatitis C and hepatitis D: Hepatitis C is transmitted through transfusion of blood and blood products, skin exposure, mother-to-child transmission, sexual transmission, etc. The hepatitis D virus needs to be established on the basis of hepatitis B virus replication, and only people infected with hepatitis B can be infected with hepatitis D.

4. What should I do if I am diagnosed with hepatitis?

(1) Understand the types of liver diseases: drugs, alcohol, fatty liver, metabolic diseases, viral infections, etc. are the main causes of liver diseases. Do not blindly take drugs without knowing the cause.

(2) Adhere to treatment: Only timely treatment can stabilize the condition. Otherwise, liver disease will continue to develop and may turn into cancer. Clinically, attention should be paid to symptomatic treatment.

(3) Proper diet: Once liver disease occurs, in addition to timely treatment, you should also pay attention to a proper diet. A balanced diet is essential for the recovery of liver disease. Avoid overeating, irregular diet, and avoid eating spicy, pickled, or moldy foods.

(4) Rational use of drugs: There are many drugs for treating liver diseases. You should use the corresponding drugs according to different symptoms to restore your health. You must use the drugs rationally under the guidance of a doctor after clarifying the condition.

5. How to prevent viral hepatitis?

(1) Vaccines are the safest and most effective way to prevent hepatitis A and B.

(2) Eat a balanced diet, exercise moderately, and enhance the body's immunity.

(3) Avoid unsafe sex and drug use.

(4) Do not touch or use body fluids or blood from unknown sources. Try to avoid lending razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, etc. to others. Do not go to informal medical institutions for tooth extraction, endoscopic examination, surgery, blood donation, etc.

(5) Pay attention to food and environmental hygiene, cook food thoroughly, and keep furniture, kitchen, and tableware clean.

Summary: If you have hepatitis, please do not worry too much. You should seek medical treatment in time and receive treatment under the guidance of a doctor. Do a good job in daily prevention, get rid of the troubles of hepatitis, stay healthy, and take good care of our "little liver"

Author: Feng Xin Tianjin Fourth Central Hospital