Hepatology

Jupiter Hospital offers state of the art care for Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Jupiter Hospital has an entire unit, dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and management of a vast spectrum of diseases and ailments involving the kidneys.

Know more about Liver care

Jupiter Hospital has an entire unit, dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and management of a vast spectrum of diseases and ailments involving the kidneys. The hospital is a leading pioneer of innovative treatment, that is integrated by our experts with a personalised approach. Every treatment plan is backed by the expertise of our team, which consists of immensely specialised liver specialists.
Hepatology is the subspecialty of gastroenterology that deals with the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of ailments related to the liver, gallbladder and pancreas by the use of highly comprehensive techniques that help to deliver unparalleled results.

Key Diseases and Disorders treated at Jupiter Hospital

• Hepatitis - Hepatitis is a condition marked by severe inflammation in the liver, which may be due to an injury or an infection. It is associated with symptoms like jaundice, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, indigestion and nausea. Hepatitis is broadly classified into two categories - acute hepatitis, which lasts for around 6 months and usually resolves on its own, and chronic hepatitis, which can last for more than 6 months and progress to serious conditions like cirrhosis and liver failure if left untreated.
• Various different types of hepatitis are:

1. Autoimmune hepatitis, which occurs when a person's immune system starts attacking his/her liver cells, triggering severe inflammation and swelling.
2. Hepatitis A, which is a short term infection and rarely leads to any serious complications. It is vaccine-preventable.
3. Hepatitis B, which usually lasts for around 6 months and is highly contagious. In extreme cases it can progress, leading to liver damage, cirrhosis or cancer
4. Hepatitis C, which is usually marked by a long term infection and is not associated with any major symptom. In some cases, it can progress, leading to cirrhosis or scarring or cancer
5. Hepatitis D, which is also known as Delta hepatitis and affects only those people who have had Hepatitis B in the past.
6. Hepatitis E, which is caused by HEV or hepatitis E virus. It spreads via contaminated water and infected focal matter
7. Neonatal hepatitis, which refers to the inflammation in the liver of an infant, lying in the age group of 1 to 2 months.

Hepatitis can be diagnosed with the following tests:

1. Physical examination
2. Blood assessments
3. Ultrasound
4. Transient Elastography
5. MRI
6. CT scan
7. Liver Biopsy

Treatment for hepatitis depends upon the type of hepatitis and the extent to which it has progressed. This usually includes lifestyle modifications and medications. A liver transplant may be recommended in few cases with advanced liver damage.

• Alcoholic fatty liver diseases - Alcoholic fatty liver disease is also referred to as hepatic steatosis. The condition is marked by an excess amount of fat in the liver which is usually a result of heavy drinking. The condition can progress, leading to complications like liver enlargement, alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis. Various factors that elevate the risks of alcoholic fatty liver disease are:

1. Obesity
2. Malnourishment
3. Personal history of chronic viral hepatitis
4. Faulty genes

Alcoholic fatty liver disease is diagnosed with the help of:

1. Assessment of medical history
2. Physical examination
3. Blood assessments
4. Ultrasound
5. CT scan
6. MRI
7. Liver biopsy

The condition can be reversed by quitting drinking. Other treatments for alcoholic fatty liver disease include lifestyle modifications focusing on weight loss and healthy nutrition.

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases - NAFLD is an umbrella term used for a group of conditions that lead to the build-up of fats in the liver. The condition can progress leading to known steatohepatitis or NASH. Most patients suffering from NAFLD do not experience any symptoms at all. Children suffering from it may complain of abdominal discomfort and fatigue.
• Common risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease include:

1. Obesity
2. Insulin resistance
3. Hyperglycemia
4. High triglyceride levels
5. High cholesterol
6. PCOS
7. Sleep apnea
8. Type 2 diabetes
9. Hypothyroidism
10. Hypopituitarism

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be diagnosed with the help of:

1. Blood tests
2. Abdominal ultrasound
3. CT scan
4. Transient elastography
5. MRI
6. Liver biopsy

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be effectively managed with the help of healthy lifestyle changes and prescribed medication.

• Autoimmune liver diseases - It is an umbrella term used for various liver conditions that are triggered by an abnormality in the immune system. Three of the most common autoimmune diseases that affect the liver are:

• Autoimmune hepatitis, which refers to the inflammation in the liver which occurs when your immune system starts attacking the healthy liver cells. This is a result of various environmental and genetic factors.
• Primary biliary cholangitis, in which the bile ducts present in the liver are destroyed gradually. The condition is more common in women as compared to men
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis, which is marked by the inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts, present within and outside the liver, often resulting in an unhealthy build-up of bile.

• Autoimmune liver disease is diagnosed with the help of a series of tests that include:

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

Autoimmune liver disease is managed with the help of medication and a comprehensive treatment plan prepared by your doctor, in accordance with your specific requirements

Genetic liver diseases -It refers to a group of liver conditions that are inherited through generations. Two of the most common genetic liver diseases include:

Hemochromatosis, which is marked by the excessive build-up of iron in the body. This is highly toxic and can induce serious damage to the tissues and organs, eventually resulting in cirrhosis or even liver cancer

Willson’s disease, which is a rare disorder, marked by an excessive build-up of copper in the body. The condition is most common in people lying in the age group of 5 to 35 years and usually induces symptoms related to the brain and liver.

Genetic liver disease is diagnosed with the help of:

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

Genetic liver disease is managed with prescribed medication. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be required.

Liver cirrhosis - It is a very serious, end-stage liver disease marked by severe scarring in the liver tissue. The damage that is induced is permanent and irreversible. The condition is progressive in nature and prevents the liver from carrying out its functions efficiently. Cirrhosis can make you more vulnerable to bring and bleeding. It is marked by symptoms like jaundice, itchy skin, oedema and ascites

Various risk factors that have been associated with cirrhosis include:

• Excessive alcohol intake
• Viral hepatitis
• High blood sugar
• Obesity
• Family history of liver disease

Liver cirrhosis is diagnosed with the help of:

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

There is no complete cure for cirrhosis, however proper treatment may be recommended for slowing down the progress and relieving the symptoms.

Read more