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

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 by Janine Acero

Hepatitis D is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV) that causes liver inflammation and damage. It is contracted through contact with an infected person’s blood or other bodily secretions, such as urine, vaginal fluids, semen, or through birth (from the mother to her newborn).

Long-term infection with hepatitis D can increase your risk of developing serious problems, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis D can only infect you when you’re already infected with a hepatitis B virus (HBV).

This virus is common in Central Asia, Pacific Islands, the Mediterranean, Russia, West Africa and South America.

Known symptoms and risk factors for hepatitis D

Hepatitis D doesn’t always cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they often include:

Jaundice
Pain in the joints and abdomen
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Dark urine
Fatigue

The following are the risk factors for contracting hepatitis D:

Hepatitis B virus infection
Sexual intercourse between two men
Frequent blood transfusions
Abuse of intravenous (IV) drugs, such as heroin

Body systems harmed by hepatitis D

When the condition goes untreated, complications are more likely to occur, such as:

Cirrhosis
Liver disease
Liver cancer

Food items or nutrients that may prevent hepatitis D

Try the following home remedies to prevent the progression of hepatitis D and rebuild the damaged liver cells.

Artichokes – Artichokes increase the secretion of bile, which is beneficial for an inflamed liver. They also help to eliminate toxins.
Dandelion – This weed helps lower blood cholesterol, as well as levels of fat in the liver.
Garlic – Garlic helps purify blood and eliminate toxins from the body. Add garlic to your daily diet, or chew one to two cloves on an empty stomach to enjoy its benefits.
Ginger – Ginger tea is highly recommended for fatty livers, as it helps clean your liver of fats and toxins.
Green tea – The antioxidants in green tea help with the regeneration of the liver’s cells.
Lemons – Consume lemons on a daily basis to help with digestion and to boost your immunity with antioxidants.
Licorice – Licorice has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which is great for treating an inflamed liver.
Milk thistle – This is a common herb used to treat all kinds of hepatitis. as milk thistle helps to restore and protect the liver cells.
Papaya – The juice from crushed and strained papaya seeds is an excellent purifier for the liver.
Sage – Consuming tea infused with sage contributes to the elimination of fatty acids.
Tamarind – When taken as tea, tamarind is an excellent natural purifier that helps fight liver inflammation.

Treatments, management plans for hepatitis D

There is no current cure for hepatitis D, but early diagnosis may prevent liver damage. Avoid alcohol intake to reduce the risk of further liver problems. In addition, apply simple rules of hygiene such as boiling all drinking and cooking water and washing hands before preparing food and after going to the toilet. Children should also not swim in contaminated water sources.

Always use a condom with all of your sexual partners to avoid contracting any potential diseases, especially if you have multiple partners. Never engage in unprotected sex unless you’re certain that your partner is clean of any sexually transmitted infection.

Moreover, avoid or stop using illegal drugs that can be injected, such as heroin, and be cautious about tattoos and piercings. Go to a trustworthy shop if you’re going to get a piercing or tattoo.