Hepatitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the liver usually caused by an acute viral infection or toxin that causes the liver to swell and become irritated. The liver has many functions, of which includes the production of bile needed for digestion, neutralization of poisons, production of amino acids to build healthy muscles, regulation of energy, maintenance of hormonal balance, and more. And since the main target of hepatitis is the liver, all these functions are compromised.
There are three types of hepatitis caused by virus. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. All of these types of hepatitis attack and inflame the liver. Aside from these, Hepatitis D, E and G have also been discovered. Non-viral hepatitis, on the other hand, are caused by toxin such as drugs, chemicals, alcohol or autoimmune processes wherein the body’s immune system attack and destroy body tissues that is mistaken as foreign substances. Toxic hepatitis, another form, results to the deterioration of liver cells caused by chemicals, alcohol and drugs.
Hepatitis A
Otherwise known as the infectious hepatitis, this disease is spread by a virus from food contaminated with infected feces, raw shellfish, water, and cooking utensils. It is most common in children, but can also affect people of all ages. Hepatitis A is considered an acute condition.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B or serum hepatitis is a viral infection that is spread by sexual contact, contact with infected blood or other fluids, blood transfusions, shared needles of drug abusers, hemodialysis, and tattooing and body piercings.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C (HCV) or what is formerly known as non-A, non-B hepatitis, is a silent killer. Only a few hepatitis C patients are diagnosed because majority have no symptoms. This type of hepatitis is caused by ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus. It is spread by direct blood contact with an infected person.
Hepatitis D, E, F and G
The Hepatitis D is also known as the delta virus or agent, which is a small virus that requires a protein that hepatitis B creates which is then used to infect the liver. It can be spread by drug abusers who share needles, contaminated blood, and sexual contact.
Hepatitis E or enteric or epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis is caused by a virus different from that of hepatitis C.
Other types of hepatitis include alcoholic hepatitis which appears after a year of excessive drinking, toxic/drug-induced hepatitis which is caused after a toxin is inhaled or ingested, autoimmune hepatitis in which the body’s immune system attacks the liver and granulomatous hepatitis in which abnormal collections of white blood cells collect in the river.
More information on hepatitis diet can be found on food medicine