Hepatitis C – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 by Michelle Simmons

Hepatitis C is a viral infection characterized by liver inflammation and damage. The condition – which can either be acute or chronic – is caused by the hepatitis C virus, one of the most common chronic viral infections in the U.S., according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The disease is transmitted through contact with infected blood, and the most common way that people get hepatitis C is through injecting drugs. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 2.7 million to 3.9 million people in the U.S. have chronic hepatitis.

Known side effects of hepatitis C

Most people infected with hepatitis C do not display symptoms; however, some people with an acute infection may experience symptoms one to three months after they are exposed to the virus. Hepatitis C side effects may include dark yellow urine, feeling tired, fevers, gray- or clay-colored stools, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, pain in the abdomen, vomiting, and jaundice – or the yellowing of the eyes and skin. Hepatitis C can also cause other complications, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Body systems harmed by hepatitis C

The main body system harmed by hepatitis C is the digestive system, as it causes inflammation and damage in the liver.

List of foods or nutrients that prevent hepatitis C

There is no information on what specific foods or nutrients can prevent hepatitis C. However, there are foods and nutrients that can help treat the disease. These include fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber; folic acid; vitamins A, C, B6, and B12; protein-rich foods, such as fish, seafood, chicken without the skin, nuts, eggs, and soy products; dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese; whole grains, such as sprouted whole-grain breads, whole wheat, buckwheat, or quinoa pastas, brown rice, wild rice, and oats. It is also best to limit consumption of foods that are fatty, greasy, processed, frozen, canned, and from fast food chains.

Treatments, management plans for hepatitis C

There are several treatment options for hepatitis C. One of these is the use of antiviral medications that remove the virus from the body. If chronic hepatitis C infection has already caused serious complications that affect the liver, transplantation may be an option to remove the damaged liver and replace it with a healthy one. Other management plans for hepatitis C include avoiding alcohol (as it speeds up the progression of liver disease), avoiding medications that may damage the liver, and helping in the prevention of others from coming in contact with the infected blood.

Where to learn more

Summary

Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C causes liver damage and inflammation, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

Hepatitis C also causes dark yellow urine, feeling tired, fever, gray- or clay-colored stools, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, pain in the abdomen, vomiting, and jaundice, the yellowing of the eyes and skin.

Hepatitis C harms the digestive system.

Hepatitis C can be treated with a healthy diet, antiviral medications, and liver transplant.

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