Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune Hepatitis is an autoimmune
condition of the liver that causes a chronic and progressive
scarring and hardening of the liver. Symptoms of the
initial onset of Autoimmune Hepatitis might include
itchy skin, skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, jaundice,
dark urine, pale stools, small spider veins on the
skin (spider angiomas), and loss of appetite.
Left untreated, Autoimmune Hepatitis can lead to
serious liver damage and eventual liver failure, so
the earlier treatment can be started the better the
prognosis. Autoimmune Hepatitis can be a primary condition
or secondary to other autoimmune conditions such as
Autoimmune Thyroid Disease, Sjögren's Syndrome,
and Ulcerative Colitis. Other causes of Autoimmune
Hepatitis might include a genetic factor, toxins,
alcoholism, or drugs.
Symptoms:
Abdominal discomfort
Bruising easily
Dark urine
Diarrhea
Fever
General body pain
General feeling of not feeling well or discomfort
without a reason
General joint pain and stiffness
Headaches
Jaundice
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Unintentional weight loss
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is usually based on the history of symptoms
and blood tests. Blood tests may also show:
Elevated Alanine Transaminase (ALT)
Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Positive Antimitochondrial Antibody (AMA)
Positive Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
Positive Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibody (SMA)
Elevated Aspartate Transaminase (AST)
Elevated Direct Bilirubin (D-Bili)
Elevated Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase / Gamma GT
(GGTP)
Elevated Immunoglobulin G / Gamma Globulin (IgG)
Treatment:
In most cases, long-term Corticosteroid medication
is the course of treatment. The treatment begins with
a high dose and then the dose is reduced to the lowest
possible dose that is effective. If the Autoimmune
Hepatitis is caused by drugs, it will usually clear
up on it's own when the drugs are no longer taken.
Immunosuppressant therapy may also used to help tame
the immune system and reduce inflammation, including
medications such as Azathioprine. For extremely-severe
cases where liver failure is involved, or if there
is extensive damage to the liver, a liver transplant
may be needed..
Prognosis:
In most cases with proper treatment, the disease
can be controlled, and some cases can even go into
remission within 3 years of beginning treatment. Left
untreated, Autoimmune Hepatits will damage the liver
and liver failure is a risk. The sooner treatment
is started, the better the prognosis.
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