Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis is liver inflammation that occurs when your body’s immune system turns against liver cells. The exact cause of autoimmune hepatitis is unclear, but genetic and environmental factors appear to interact over time in triggering the disease.
Untreated autoimmune hepatitis can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and eventually to liver failure.
Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis can range from minor to severe and may come on suddenly. Some people have few, if any, recognized problems in the early stages of the disease, whereas others experience signs and symptoms that may include:
- Fatigue
- Abdominal discomfort
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- An enlarged liver
- Abnormal blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas)
- Skin rashes
- Joint pains
- In women, loss of menstruation
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.
Causes
Autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the body’s immune system, which ordinarily attacks viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, instead targets the liver. This attack on your liver can lead to chronic inflammation and serious damage to liver cells. Just why the body turns against itself is unclear, but researchers think autoimmune hepatitis could be caused by the interaction of genes controlling immune-system function and exposure to particular viruses or drugs.
Types of autoimmune hepatitis
Doctors have identified two main forms of autoimmune hepatitis:
- Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis
This is the most common type of the disease. It can occur at any age. About half the people with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis have other autoimmune disorders, such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis. - Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis
Although adults can develop type 2 autoimmune hepatitis, it’s most common in children and young people. Other autoimmune diseases may also accompany this type of autoimmune hepatitis.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of autoimmune hepatitis include:
- Being female
Although both men and women can develop autoimmune hepatitis, the disease is more common in women. - A history of certain infections
Autoimmune hepatitis may develop after you’re infected with the measles, herpes simplex or Epstein-Barr virus. The disease is also linked to hepatitis A, B or C infection. - Heredity
Evidence suggests that a predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis may run in families. - Having an autoimmune disease
People who already have an autoimmune disease, such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis or hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), may be more likely to develop autoimmune hepatitis.
Complications
Autoimmune hepatitis that goes untreated can cause permanent scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis). Complications of cirrhosis include:
- Enlarged veins in your esophagus (esophageal varices)
When circulation through the portal vein is blocked, blood may back up into other blood vessels — mainly those in your stomach and esophagus. The blood vessels are thin walled, and because they’re filled with more blood than they’re meant to carry, they’re likely to bleed. Massive bleeding in the esophagus or stomach from these blood vessels is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical care. - Fluid in your abdomen (ascites)
Liver disease can cause large amounts of fluid to accumulate in your abdomen. Ascites can be uncomfortable and may interfere with breathing and is usually a sign of advanced cirrhosis. - Liver failure
This occurs when extensive damage to liver cells makes it impossible for your liver to function adequately. At this point, a liver transplant is needed. - Liver cancer
People with cirrhosis have an increased risk of liver cancer.
Tests & Diagnosis
Tests and procedures used to diagnose autoimmune hepatitis include:
- Blood tests
Testing a sample of your blood for antibodies can distinguish autoimmune hepatitis from viral hepatitis and other disorders with similar symptoms. Antibody tests also help pinpoint the type of autoimmune hepatitis you have. - Liver biopsy
Doctors perform a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the degree and type of liver damage. During the procedure, a small amount of liver tissue is removed, using a thin needle that’s passed into your liver through your skin. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Your doctor may use ultrasound to guide the biopsy.
Principle of Holistic Treatment
- Human body has a wonderful self-healing power
- Through excellent drainage system i.e. Liver, Colon, Kidney, Lungs, etc., waste material is thrown out of the body.
- Whole of the body is a unit so it is treated in totality
- Body has a strong defense (immune) system
- At any point of time (age) live tissues can be regenerated and
- Immune system can be modulated
Treatment Protocol
- Avoidance of allergen food: both known to the medical world after various studies and known to the patient itself
- Correction of DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Regulation of biological clock and right food
- Decongestion of VITAL ORGANS i.e. Liver, kidney, Colon Gall Bladder, Lungs, etc.
- Cellular DETOXIFICATION: through various natural chelation/detoxification methods
- ACID & ALKALI IMBALANCE correction: through alkali forming food and nutrients
- Nutritional cover along with PHYTONUTRIENTS supplementation: initially ONA (Optimum Nutritional Allowance) is recommended followed by RDA (Daily Recommended Allowance).
- Herbs like Tecoma undulata, Phyllanthus urinaria, Taraxacum officinale, Nyctanthes arbortritis & Terminalia arjuna, etc are also used in the treatment of liver.
- Physical exercise and healthy life style choice hasten the process of recovery.
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Duration of the Treatment
Duration of the treatment varies according to the type, duration and severity of the illness.
Positive changes may be observed within days in most of the cases suffering from the disorders. For the best results time period may vary from 4 to 6 months or sometimes more for the complete recovery.
Result
The results are well established. Even the most chronic and severe cases respond early. After complete recovery, patients are advised to follow some maintenance treatment.