| Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease in which the | | | | Signs and symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis can |
| system's exempt structure attacks liver cells. | | | | drift from insignificant to serious and may go on |
| Although the cause for this isn't completely clear-cut, | | | | abruptly or produce over moment. Symptoms of |
| some diseases, toxins and drugs may spark | | | | autoimmune hepatitis scope from balmy to serious. |
| autoimmune hepatitis in vulnerable folk, particularly | | | | Some people have few, if any, problems in the early |
| women. The disease is normally rather severe and, if | | | | stages of the disease, whereas others experience |
| not treated, gets worse over moment. Usually, the | | | | signs and symptoms such as: yellowing of the skin |
| exempt structure does not respond against the | | | | and whites of the eyes, abnormal blood vessels on |
| system's own cells. However, sometimes it | | | | the skin, fluid in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, |
| erroneously attacks the cells it is supposed to | | | | abdominal discomfort and liver scarring. People in |
| defend. This reaction is called autoimmunity. | | | | advanced stages of the disease are more likely to |
| Autoimmune hepatitis can produce after such viral | | | | have symptoms such as fluid in the abdomen |
| infections as intense hepatitis A, hepatitis B or | | | | (ascites) or mental confusion. Women may stop |
| measles or after transmission with the Epstein-Barr | | | | having menstrual periods. A routine blood test for |
| virus. Some medications wound the liver immediately | | | | liver enzymes can help reveal a pattern typical of |
| - overdoses of the popular pain backup | | | | hepatitis, but further tests, especially for |
| acetaminophen, for instance, can induce liver | | | | autoantibodies, are needed to diagnose autoimmune |
| bankruptcy. Other hereditary abnormalities may have | | | | hepatitis. |
| autoimmune hepatitis more competitive and harder to | | | | Blood tests too assist distinguish autoimmune |
| handle. | | | | hepatitis from viral hepatitis or a metabolic disease. |
| This disease is almost popular in inexperienced girls | | | | Treatment works better when autoimmune hepatitis |
| and women. Autoimmune hepatitis is normally chronic, | | | | is diagnosed early. With appropriate handling, |
| significance it can live for years, and can head to | | | | autoimmune hepatitis can normally be controlled. The |
| cirrhosis of the liver and finally liver bankruptcy. The | | | | primary treatment is medicine to suppress an |
| higher blood force drug methyldopa, the | | | | overactive immune system. Both types of |
| anti-inflammatory diclofenac, the antibiotics | | | | autoimmune hepatitis are treated with daily doses of |
| minocycline and nitrofurantoin, and possibly | | | | a corticosteroid called prednisone. A liver transplant |
| atorvastatin may spark autoimmune hepatitis in some | | | | may be an option when autoimmune hepatitis doesn't |
| folk. Autoimmune hepatitis is classified as either type | | | | respond to drug treatments or in cases of advanced |
| I or II. Type I is the most common form in North | | | | liver disease. Another medicine, azathioprine is also |
| America. It occurs at any age and is more common | | | | used to treat autoimmune hepatitis. Most people will |
| among women than men. Type II autoimmune | | | | need to take prednisone, with or without |
| hepatitis is less common, typically affecting girls ages | | | | azathioprine, for years. Some people take it for life. |
| 2 to 14, although adults can have it too. The chronic | | | | Corticosteroids may slow down the disease, but |
| inflammation gradually damages the liver cells which | | | | everyone is different. In about one out of every |
| results in serious problems. Autoimmune hepatitis is | | | | three people, treatment can eventually be stopped. |
| usually not preventable. Awareness of risk factors | | | | Like prednisone, azathioprine suppresses the immune |
| may allow early detection and treatment. | | | | system, but in a different way. |