Toxic Hepatitis Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Complications, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Toxic Hepatitis ?

It is the inflammation of liver that occurs in response to specific substances exposure. More specifically, toxic hepatitis can be triggered by the following:

• Chemicals.
• Alcohol.
• Medicines or nutritional supplements.

In few instances, the condition tends to develop within some hours-days after being exposed to the toxin whereas, in others, the condition can take several months to occur after the regular substance exposure. Usually, the signs of toxic hepatitis resolve after the discontinuation of exposure. Though, the condition can lead to long-term liver damage, resulting in permanent scarring of the liver tissue, a condition medically termed as cirrhosis. Toxic hepatitis can also end up in liver failure.

What Are The Symptoms Of Toxic Hepatitis ?

Minor instances may not source any signs and thus go unnoticed. These cases can merely be diagnosed with blood tests. However; when indications do tend to appear, these can include the following:

• Fatigue.
• Abdominal pain.
• Yellowing of sclera and skin (jaundice).
• Itching.
• Weight loss.
• Rash.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Dark colored urine.

What Causes Toxic Hepatitis ?

The condition is known to occur when the liver becomes inflamed. The inflammation occurs due to the exposure to some toxic substance. It can also occur when an individual overuses an over-the-counter or prescribed drug.

Among the others functions of liver, one is to eliminate and break down most chemicals and medicines from our blood stream. Such breaking down of toxins tends to form byproducts which can cause harm to our liver. Despite having the tendency for regeneration, the liver can be greatly affected by the continuous toxic exposure. For some, damage caused to their livers can be permanent.

In addition to this, toxic hepatitis can be triggered by:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Alcohol.
• Prescription drugs.
• Herbs and supplements.
• Industrial chemicals.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Toxic Hepatitis ?

A number of factors are known to raise the chances of contracting toxic hepatitis, these are:

• Overuse of prescribed medicines, or over-the-counter drugs.
• Suffering from am liver disease.
• Suffering from hepatitis.
• Aging.
• Consumption of alcohol.
• Being a woman.
• Having some genetic mutations.
• Having a job that involves exposure to industrial toxins.

What Are The Complications Of Toxic Hepatitis ?

Inflammation of liver can result in liver scarring and damage.  As with the passage of time, the scarring disables the liver to perform its functions. In the due course, cirrhosis ends up in liver failure.

How Is Toxic Hepatitis Diagnosed ?

Procedures and tests that can help in detecting toxic hepatitis are as follow:

• Physical exam.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Liver biopsy.

How Is Toxic Hepatitis Treated ?

Treatment for the condition includes:

• Discontinue the exposure.
• Drugs for reversing the damaged caused to liver by acetaminophen (a fever reducer and pain reliever).
• Supportive therapy in the hospital.
• Liver transplant.

By : Natural Health News