Hepatology in Dombivli

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver that may develop due to infection, injury, or immune-related causes. Common clinical symptoms include jaundice, reduced appetite, abdominal pain, indigestion, and nausea. Based on duration and disease progression, hepatitis is broadly divided into two categories:

• Acute Hepatitis: This form of hepatitis is short-term in nature, usually lasting up to six months, and may resolve with appropriate monitoring and supportive medical care.
• Chronic Hepatitis: This form persists beyond six months and, if not medically managed, may progress to serious liver conditions such as cirrhosis or liver failure.

Classification of Hepatitis

Hepatitis is further classified into different types depending on the cause, transmission pattern, and immune involvement.

• Autoimmune Hepatitis: This condition develops when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy liver cells, leading to ongoing inflammation. It is not contagious and is often associated with genetic and environmental factors.
• Hepatitis A: A short-duration viral infection that is generally self-limiting and preventable through vaccination. It is commonly transmitted through contaminated food, water, or close personal contact.
• Hepatitis B: A viral infection that may become chronic in some individuals and can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, or cancer. Transmission occurs through infected blood, bodily fluids, sexual contact, or from mother to child during childbirth.
• Hepatitis C: Often asymptomatic in the early stages, this infection may cause long-term liver damage if untreated. It is primarily spread through contact with infected blood, including shared needles, and less commonly through sexual transmission or childbirth.
• Hepatitis D (Delta Hepatitis): This infection occurs only in individuals already infected with Hepatitis B, as it depends on the Hepatitis B virus for replication. Transmission occurs through exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids.
• Hepatitis E: Caused by the hepatitis E virus, this infection is usually transmitted through contaminated water and, in some cases, through undercooked meat.
• Neonatal Hepatitis: A liver inflammation seen in infants, most commonly transmitted from an infected mother during childbirth, though it may also occur through exposure to infected blood or body fluids.

Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis of Hepatitis at Jupiter Hospital

The Hepatology team at Jupiter Hospital follows a systematic diagnostic approach to evaluate hepatitis and assess disease severity. Our hepatology doctors in Dombivli use a combination of clinical assessment and advanced investigations to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic methods may include:

• Physical examination
• Blood investigations
• Ultrasound imaging
• Transient elastography
• MRI
• CT scan
• Liver biopsy

Management of hepatitis depends on the specific type and stage of the condition. Care may involve lifestyle guidance, prescribed medications, and regular monitoring. In cases of advanced liver damage, patients may be evaluated for liver transplantation under specialist supervision at a recognised hepatology hospital in Dombivli.

As a centre providing specialised hepatology care, Jupiter Hospital manages Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, also known as hepatic steatosis. This condition develops due to prolonged alcohol intake and is marked by excessive fat accumulation in liver tissue. If not addressed in time, it may progress to complications such as liver enlargement, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis.

Risk Factors Associated with Alcohol-Related Fatty Liver Disease

Certain medical and lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing alcoholic fatty liver disease, including:

• Obesity
• Malnourishment
• History of chronic viral hepatitis
• Genetic predisposition

Diagnostic Assessment and Condition-Specific Hepatology Management

Evaluation of hepatic steatosis begins with a detailed clinical assessment. Patients receiving hepatology treatment in Dombivli undergo investigations that may include:

• Review of medical history
• Comprehensive physical examination
• Blood assessments
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI
• Liver biopsy

Alcoholic fatty liver disease is often reversible with timely intervention, particularly alcohol cessation. Medical care focuses on lifestyle modification, weight management, and personalised nutritional guidance under the supervision of experienced hepatologists in Dombivli.

At Jupiter Hospital, the Hepatology department evaluates and manages non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, commonly known as NAFLD. This condition includes a group of liver disorders marked by fat accumulation in the liver that is not related to alcohol use. In some individuals, NAFLD may progress to steatohepatitis or NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis), which involves liver inflammation and damage. While many patients do not experience early symptoms, children with NAFLD may present with abdominal discomfort and persistent fatigue. Patients receiving care from hepatology doctors in Dombivli are assessed for disease stage and long-term liver health.

Factors Contributing to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Several metabolic and hormonal conditions are known to increase the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. These include:

• Obesity
• Insulin resistance
• Hyperglycaemia
• Elevated triglyceride levels
• High cholesterol
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Sleep apnea
• Type 2 diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Hypopituitarism

Clinical Evaluation and Diagnostic Assessment

Accurate identification of NAFLD requires a combination of laboratory testing and imaging studies. At our hepatology hospital in Dombivli, hepatologists may recommend the following diagnostic evaluations:

• Blood tests
• Abdominal ultrasound
• CT scan
• Transient elastography
• MRI
• Liver biopsy

Medical care for NAFLD focuses on metabolic control and liver protection. Hepatology treatment in Dombivli includes guided lifestyle modification, dietary regulation, and prescribed medications when clinically indicated.

Jupiter Hospital also provides medical care for autoimmune liver disorders, which develop when the immune system mistakenly targets liver tissue or bile ducts. These conditions often require long-term monitoring and immunological assessment under specialist supervision by hepatologists in Dombivli.

The most commonly managed autoimmune liver diseases include:

• Autoimmune Hepatitis: A condition in which immune-mediated inflammation affects liver cells, influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
• Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A chronic disorder involving the gradual destruction of the bile ducts within the liver, more frequently observed in women.
• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A disease characterised by inflammation and scarring of bile ducts inside and outside the liver, leading to impaired bile flow.

Diagnostic Approach and Condition-Specific Hepatology Care

Diagnosis of autoimmune liver diseases is based on specific immunological testing and clinical correlation. Investigations may include:

• Anti-liver/kidney microsomal antibodies
• Anti-mitochondrial antibodies
• Antinuclear antibodies
• Anti-smooth muscle antibodies
• Serum IgG levels

Following diagnosis, care plans are individualised according to disease type and severity. Hepatology treatment in Dombivli may involve immunosuppressive medications and ongoing monitoring to manage disease progression effectively.

The Hepatology department manages inherited liver disorders that are passed down through families and often require long-term medical supervision. These conditions affect liver function due to abnormal accumulation of specific substances in the body and are managed under the guidance of experienced hepatology doctors in Dombivli.

Overview of Genetic Liver Disorders

Genetic liver diseases include a group of conditions transmitted across generations. Two of the most commonly diagnosed inherited liver disorders include:

• Hemochromatosis: This condition involves excessive iron accumulation in the body, which can cause progressive damage to the liver and other organs. Without timely medical care, it may advance to cirrhosis or increase the risk of liver cancer.
• Wilson’s Disease: A rare inherited disorder marked by abnormal copper accumulation, most commonly affecting individuals between 5 and 35 years of age. It presents with symptoms involving both liver function and neurological health.

Diagnostic Evaluation at the Hepatology Unit

Accurate identification of genetic liver diseases requires detailed clinical assessment and investigative testing. At our hepatology hospital in Dombivli, diagnostic evaluation may include:

• Blood tests
• MRI
• CT scan
• Ultrasound
• Detailed review of personal and family medical history

Management includes prescribed medications to control disease progression. In advanced cases, patients may be evaluated for liver transplantation, with guidance provided throughout the process by specialist teams offering hepatology treatment in Dombivli.

Liver cirrhosis is an advanced stage of chronic liver disease characterised by permanent scarring of liver tissue. This irreversible damage gradually impairs liver function and increases the risk of serious complications.

Understanding Liver Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis limits the liver’s ability to perform essential metabolic and detoxification functions. As the condition progresses, patients become more vulnerable to complications such as internal bleeding and fluid accumulation. Common clinical signs include jaundice, persistent itching, swelling of the legs, and ascites.

Risk Factors Associated with Cirrhosis

Several medical and lifestyle factors contribute to the development of liver cirrhosis, including:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Viral hepatitis infections
• Elevated blood sugar levels
• Obesity
• Family history of liver disease

Clinical Diagnosis of Cirrhosis

Diagnosis involves a combination of imaging, laboratory tests, and clinical assessment. Hepatologist doctors in Dombivli may recommend the following investigations:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Elastography
• MRI
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
• Liver biopsy
• Liver function tests

Although cirrhosis cannot be reversed, medical care focuses on slowing disease progression, managing complications, and preserving remaining liver function through specialist-led hepatology care.