What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by viruses called (HCV). The virus infects the liver and leads to inflammation. HCV infection remains latent without major symptoms. Symptoms appear after a decade of infection, when the disease becomes chronic and cirrhosis develops. Cirrhosis of the liver can later turn into liver cancer. HCV is the main cause of liver cancer.
Hepatitis C infection can cause mild illness lasting a few weeks to chronic illness that lasts a lifetime. Hepatitis C remains undiagnosed and untreated due to the lack of symptoms.
LIVER AND ITS FUNCTIONS.
The liver performs many functions in the body, helping to turn food into energy for building the cells and tissues of our body.
The liver clears out all the poisonous chemicals that enter our body in the form of drugs, alcohol, drugs, etc.
The liver produces bile, which breaks down fats into a simpler form for various functions. On average, 1-1.5 liters of bile are synthesized per day. The liver produces hormones that regulate sex drive and function. The energy created by the liver helps maintain body temperature.
HEPATITIS - RISK FACTORS:
Approximately 30% of those infected get rid of viruses within 6 months after infection. However, in 70% of cases, the infection becomes chronic. Between 15% and 30% of chronic patients are at risk of developing liver cirrhosis over the next 20 years. Which can later turn into liver cancer.
STATISTICS
Approximately 71 million people around the world suffer from chronic hepatitis C. It causes about 399,000 deaths each year worldwide.
The hepatitis C virus spreads through the blood. The usual route of transmission of infections is:
Sharing needles.
Non-sterile tattoo/hairdresser equipment.
Non-sterile operating equipment.
Blood transfusion without screening.
From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
Can be sexually transmitted.
HCV is not spread through breast milk, food, water, air, or physical contact such as hugging, kissing, or eating or drinking with an infected person.
Hepatitis C is curable with the latest oral antiviral drugs, which have comparatively fewer side effects than previous injectable treatments. More than half of patients go unnoticed and untreated due to lack of symptoms. Symptoms usually take decades to appear. By the time symptoms appear, the disease becomes chronic and cirrhosis of the liver occurs. Which leads to further health complications.
AYURVEDIC APPROACH.
Ayurveda offers an integrated approach to the treatment of hepatitis C. Ancient books describing Ayurvedic treatment describe the importance of various herbs and treatments for improving the health of patients with liver disease.
Please consult your doctor for treatment.
I wish everyone to be in good health.
