The world’s Hepatitis Day is celebrated around the world on Jul 28 every year to spread awareness about its early signs and symptoms and shed light on global efforts to control the disease.
Hepatitis is an infectious disease characterized by inflammation and degenerative changes of the liver. Liver is the most complex and largest organ in the body, and serves many important functions within the body, like Metabolism of Carbs, Proteins, Lipids, and Mineral elements e.g. iron, copper. Vitamins A,D etc.
Causes of the Liver Diseases
- Toxins
- Infectious agents
- Metabolic along with the nutritional factors.
Signs and Symptoms
Hepatitis starts usually with Jaundice – condition where yellow pigmentation of the skin and body tissues occurs because of the accumulation of bile pigments in the blood. It has further types Obstructive Jaundice, Hemolytic Jaundice etc.
Nutritional Signs
Signs of nutritional deficiency like nutritional anemia(vitamin deficiency anemia), glossitis (inflammation of tongue) and is also related to pernicious anemia, iron deficiency anemia, deficiency of vitamin B complex etc., are the common signs in liver diseases.
Dietary Modification
The patients with any liver diseases should take the balanced diet esp the High protein, High Carbs and moderate – fat diet. In some cases fats should not be omitted completely though but restricted to some grades and exchanges of meat and poultry would be limited. The intake of high carbohydrate foods is required for an adequate reserve of glycogen in the liver which together with other nutrients and fats in moderation, has a good effect on liver.
The level of calories may be increased by adding the food groups that are high in carbs e.g. Fruits and juices, Patients with hepatitis should be provided with the diet having good amounts of vitamin B complex, to compensate the deficiencies. Sodium restriction may be required in case of edema and ascites.
Liver tissue harm and fat statement can be avoided by devouring HBP (High-quality protein) however if there should be an occurrence of the patients with Cirrhosis and Hepatic Coma, some more dietary adjustment is required and that can have an immense effect as the Cirrhosis progresses.
You can take almost any recipe and convert it into a healthy dish simply by using healthy foods.
| Foods You Should Avoid | Foods You Should Eat |
|---|---|
| Wheat and Gluten | Beans, all kinds |
| Tap Water | Broccoli |
| Junk Foods | Cauliflower |
| Artificial Sweeteners | Apples |
| Processed Foods | Lemons |
A person with Hepatitis may need numerous tests and treatments. The patients need a comprehensive plan that may involve multiple doctors at multiple locations. To ensure ongoing good health, health care providers must have access to complete medical history anytime. With an EMR system like CloudClinik doctors keep track of their patients’ progress, their medical history, vitals, allergies, previous treatments and drugs prescribed. This ultimately can make a difference in patients’ health and speedy recovery.
This blog was contributed by Ayesha Khalid, Nutritionist ( she can be reached at ayesha.nutraceuticals@gmail.com )