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The word hepatitis comes from the Ancient Greek word hepar (root word hepat) meaning 'liver', and the Latin itis meaning inflammation. Hepatitis is a term used to describe inflammation (swelling) of the liver. It can occur as a result of a viral infection or because the liver is exposed to harmful substances such as alcohol.
Someone with hepatitis may:
- have one of several disorders, including a viral or bacterial infection of the liver
- have a liver injury caused by a toxin (poison)
- have liver damage caused by interruption of the organ's normal blood supply
- be experiencing an attack by his or her own immune system through an autoimmune disorder
- have experienced abdominal trauma in the area of the liver
Most liver damage is caused by 3 hepatitis viruses, called hepatitis A, B and C. However, hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and some other toxins and infections, as well as from our own autoimmune process (the body attacks itself).
Initial symptoms of hepatitis caused by infection are similar to the flu and include:
- muscle and joint pain
- a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
- feeling sick
- being sick
- headache
- occasionally yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
Symptoms of chronic hepatitis can include:
- feeling unusually tired all the time
- depression
- jaundice
- a general sense of feeling unwell
Some restrictions to avoid hepatitis patients include:
- All meals are high in fat like mutton and pork, offal, brains, ice cream, whole milk, cheese, butter / margarine, coconut oil and foods like goulash.
- Canned food such as sardines and korned.
- Cake or fatty snacks, such as cake, fried foods, fast food.
- Raw foods that cause gas, such as sweet potatoes, beans, cabbage, radishes, cucumbers, durian, jackfruit.
- Stimulating condiments, such as chili, onion, pepper, vinegar, ginger.
- Beverages containing alcohol and soda.
While good food consumed hepatitis patients:
- Source of carbohydrate, such as rice, oatmeal, white bread, tubers.
- Sources of protein include eggs, fish, meat, chicken, tempeh, tofu, green beans, vegetables and fruits that do not cause gas.
- Foods that contain high carbohydrate and easy to digest such as confectionery, fruit juice, jam, syrup, preserves, and honey.