Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common condition that can result from various causes. It can occur in anyone but is more frequently seen in the elderly, men, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Understanding this condition is important to recognize symptoms, take care of yourself, and seek prompt treatment. If left untreated or if there is significant blood loss, it can lead to shock or even death due to complications from the blood loss.
The liver performs over 500 vital functions every day to keep us alive. Testing, treating, and preventing viral hepatitis are crucial for maintaining liver health.
Table of contents
What is Hepatitis?
Recognizing Hepatitis Symptoms, Complications, or Risks
Recommendations for Those with Hepatitis
Conclusion
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, typically caused by a viral infection or non-infectious agents such as drugs, toxins, or alcohol. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D, and E. Among these, hepatitis B and C are the most prevalent, causing 1.3 million deaths and 2.2 million new infections each year.
Introduction:
In contemporary medical terminology, acute liver disease can be evolved into liver failure, or in the case of end-stage chronic liver disease, cirrhosis. While general symptom recovery is achievable in many cases, complications persist, posing a significant risk of mortality. This article aims to enhance your comprehension of liver transplantation indications and concepts, presenting information in a question-and-answer format.
Indications for Liver Transplantation:
When considering a liver transplant, certain criteria are crucial for surgery treatment. These include:
Quality of life assessment
Severity of liver disease (measured by the Child-Pugh score)
Disease-specific criteria determining the appropriateness of transplantation
The overarching principle is to reserve liver replacement as a last option, only for cases which no alternative treatments are available. It should be pursued in patients with a genuine hope for complete recovery. Factors indicating urgency include:
Child-Pugh score is greater than or equal to 7
1 year survival rate below 90 % without transplantation
History of ascites-related infections
Severe hepatic encephalopathy grade II in acute liver failure patients