Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the liver. This illness is more common in women and occurs primarily during the teen and early adult years. Autoimmune hepatitis is very serious and the earlier it’s detected, the better the chances are that it can be controlled through treatment. That’s why it’s important to be able to recognize this condition.
Instructions
1. Know the warning signs. The symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, skin rashes, joint pain, abdominal pain, abnormal blood vessels on the skin, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, and pale or gray colored stools. In severe cases, symptoms may include fluid in the abdomen, mental confusion, and women may stop having periods.
2. Look for the presence of certain other conditions, which may be an indicator. Medical experts say that roughly half of all people who have autoimmune hepatitis have one or more of the following: type 1 diabetes, kidney problems, an inflamed thyroid gland, Graves’ disease, dry eyes and mouth, and ulcers caused by inflammation of the colon and rectum.
3. Be sure to rule out medication as the cause for your symptoms. Certain medicines such as acetaminophen (if used too often) can cause liver failure much in the same way that hepatitis does. Also, some medicines can cause the body's immune system to attack the liver, thus making it appear that you have autoimmune hepatitis.
Tags: Autoimmune hepatitis, body immune, body immune system, have autoimmune, have autoimmune hepatitis, immune system, symptoms include