Treatment for Hepatitis B and C, Fatty Liver

Hepatitis B and C are viruses that attack the liver, which performs over 500 vital functions in the human body. They threaten the liver’s ability to function. Over 3.2 million Americans have hepatitis C and over 1.2 million have hepatitis B. All types of hepatitis have similar symptoms, including:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Jaundice
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Lost appetite
• Vomiting

Bowel movements may appear gray or jaundice may appear as yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. You can have hepatitis C without knowing it, too. Or you may mistake it for the flu. A simple blood test can tell if you have hepatitis antibodies in your bloodstream.

Preventing and Treating Hepatitis B and C

A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but you can help prevent it by not sharing needles or razors with infected persons. Once diagnosed, your treatment may include antiviral drugs for hepatitis B or C. You may also receive treatment designed to protect your liver and improve your comfort. For hepatitis C, a combination of drugs can help clear the virus from your system. We will advise that you also avoid alcohol to protect your liver from additional damage.

Fatty Liver Disease

As the name implies, the main characteristic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is too much fat stored in liver cells. In the United States, this most common form of chronic liver disease affects an estimated 80 million to 100 million people. It is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and eventually liver transplant. The first line of treatment is usually weight loss through healthy diet and exercise. This addresses the conditions that contribute to fatty liver disease. Ideally, a loss of 10% of body weight is desirable. FibroScan® is a new noninvasive scan available to diagnose fatty liver. This is an alternative to the more invasive liver biopsy test. With early diagnosis, it is preventable.

To learn more about these tests and treatments, call 908-688-6565 or use our convenient Request an Appointment form.