Gastroenterologist explains how to recognize latent hepatitis

Imagine that you feel great, but during your next medical examination, the doctor suddenly tells you that you have hepatitis. How is that possible? There are no symptoms! To understand how this is possible, we talked to gastroenterologist, MD Regina Khlynova, who told us what symptoms should be monitored and what can cause this disease.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver tissue, leading to disruption of its structure and function. Regina Khlynova, gastroenterologist, MD, notes that hepatitis can often be asymptomatic and is discovered by chance during a medical examination.

"A characteristic sign of inflammation is an enlarged liver, detected by palpation of the abdomen, ultrasound examination or tomography," explains Khlynova.

Symptoms of Hepatitis

Despite the asymptomatic course in the early stages, there are several signs that may indicate the presence of hepatitis:

1. Liver enlargement - detectable by physical examination or imaging studies.
2. Increased levels of enzymes and pigments in the blood - such as alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, bile acids.

As the inflammatory process progresses, more noticeable symptoms appear:

• Increased fatigue, weakness, emotional instability and headaches, united by the term "hepatogenic asthenia".
• Spider veins, small bruises and large hematomas.
• Yellowish coloration of the skin and eyes.
• Redness at the base of the palms.

In addition, some patients may experience subfebrile temperature, nausea and a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium.

Causes of Hepatitis

There are many causes of liver inflammation. The most common ones include:

• Hepatitis B, C and D viruses are transmitted through blood, the source is an infected person.
• Chronic alcohol abuse - over 40 grams of pure ethanol per day for men and over 20 grams for women.
• Hepatotoxic drugs - anabolic steroids, oral contraceptives, antibiotics and dietary supplements.

Less common causes are:

• Bacterial and viral infections.
• Autoimmune processes.
• Poisoning with arsenic, mercury, lead and tin.
• Diseases of other organs of the digestive system.
• Hereditary diseases of iron and copper accumulation.

Special forms of hepatitis

One of the specific forms of hepatitis is metabolic-associated fatty liver disease.

"Fatty liver disease develops in obese and overweight individuals in the presence of a source of chronic infection and is often asymptomatic, being detected during screening tests," Khlynova emphasizes.

Forecast and recommendations

It is important to note that with early detection and proper treatment of most hepatitis, the prognosis is favorable, since the liver has a high capacity for regeneration. Regina Khlynova recommends undergoing annual examinations and medical check-ups, monitoring your well-being, weight and other basic health parameters, and regularly seeking medical help.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle, monitor your health and undergo medical examinations in a timely manner to prevent or promptly detect hepatitis.