Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis

  • Chronic Hepatitis
    Chronic hepatitis is a disorder or inflammation of the liver that lasts at least 6 months. Common causes are hepatitis B and C viruses and certain drugs. Many people have no symptoms, but some have vague symptoms, such as a general feeling of illness, poor appetite, and fatigue.
Submitted by Sanjog bhagat on 28 July 2016

Chronic hepatitis initially may not have any symptoms. But as the disease progresses there will be:

  • Nonspecific symptoms such as generalized malaise, fever, poor appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, or anorexia.  
  • Muscle and joint pains.
  • Hormonal imbalance leading to
    • Hirsutism (abnormal hair growth).
    • Gynaecomastia (swelling of the breast tissue in men).
    • Testicular atrophy
    • Loss of libido
    • Absence of the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea)
  • Peripheral edema (fluid accumulation in and around the ankle).
  • Bleeding or hemorrhage especially from the Gastrointestinal system
  • In advanced cases hepatic encephalopathy can cause confusion, disorientation, drowsiness etc..
  • Abdominal distention.
  • Itching all over the body.

Some signs to look out for include:

  • Liver enlargement.
  • Grey discoloration of the skin.
  • Dilated veins or spider nevi on chest and upper body.
  • Clubbing of fingers.
  • Jaundice.
  • Dupuytren’s contracture (flexed palm from hardened connective tissue)
  • Xanthomas (fatty growths on skin)
  • Palmar erythema (reddening of skin on palms and soles)
Community
Kidney, Urinary, Gastro Intestinal, Liver
Condition
Chronic Hepatitis
Changed
Wed, 07/19/2017 - 18:18

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