Hepatitis Liver Inflammation. Hepatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the liver. Liver inflammation can be caused by several viruses (viral hepatitis), chemicals, drugs, alcohol, certain genetic disorders or by an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks the liver, called autoimmune hepatitis.
Depending on its course, hepatitis can be acute, which flares up suddenly and then goes away, or chronic, which is a long-term condition usually producing more subtle symptoms and progressive liver damage.
Types of Hepatitis
There are five viruses that cause the different forms of viral hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A is mostly a food-borne illness and can be spread through contaminated water and unwashed food. It is the easiest to transmit, especially in children, but is also the least likely to damage the liver and is usually mild and is completely resolved within six months. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through exposure to contaminated blood, needles, syringes or bodily fluids and from mother to baby. It is a chronic disorder and in some cases may lead to long-term liver damage, liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver after many years of carrying the virus. Hepatitis C is only transmitted through infected blood or from mother to newborn during childbirth. It too can lead to liver cancer and cirrhosis in the long term. Hepatitis D is only found in people who are also infected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis E is predominantly found in Africa, Asia and South America. Certain generally safe medications can be toxic to the liver and cause hepatitis (drug-induced hepatitis) when taken in excess or in very high doses. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and even vitamin A. Check with your pediatrician about appropriate dosing for your child.
•Autoimmune hepatitis
•Hepatitis A
•Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis E
Neonatal hepatitis
Symptoms
Malaise
Abdominal tenderness, especially in the upper right corner
Fatigue
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the white portion of the eyes)
Dark-colored urine
Lightly colored stools
Abdominal pain
Nausea with or without vomiting
Abdominal swelling due to fluid retention
Diagnosis
The following are required to diagnose hepatitis:
Physical exam, which may or may not reveal a swollen, enlarged liver
Blood tests to check liver enzymes that are elevated when the liver is damaged or infected, as well as blood tests to check for the presence of any of the five viruses causing hepatitis
Ultrasound of the liver to detect any changes
Liver biopsy to confirm suspected inflammation when other tests are inconclusive and to determine the exact degree of liver damage.
Vegan Stomach Problems: Causes and Remedies?
It’s common for new vegans to experience digestive issues, especially when switching to the plant-based diet from a diet heavy in meat and dairy all at once. ?
As always it’s advisable to consult a doctor for any sharp stomach pains or if digestive issues have been going on for multiple months as it can be unrelated to the change in food.
?But if it is just gas and bloating, diarrhea or a general upset stomach, this is probably the digestive system adjusting to the new diet, which is temporary. In most cases, it will resolve by itself. But you can also help to make this process easier.
1st Reason:
There are billions of bacteria and other microorganisms, referred to as your gut flora, in your digestive system. Most of them help you by breaking down undigested food, synthesizing vitamins, and metabolizing acids.
It’s important to support the balance of the good bacteria by prebiotics and probiotics. Otherwise, the digestive system will struggle.
As the gut is no longer being fed meat and dairy and has an increase of plant-based foods, it will adapt over time.
Sometimes, some people just get more gas than others from certain plant foods like textured vegetable protein (TVP), tempeh or flaxseed, or Beyond Burgers. And this will settle down usually after 6-8 weeks at the longest as your gut flora adapts.
2nd Reason:
The most common cause, however, is an increase in high fiber foods which is a good thing for overall health. Many studies proved that dietary fiber helps reduce cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and more.
Adjusting to more fiber will take some time, but if all you eat are beans and veggies, fermenting fiber will produce gas.
Track the amount of fiber you consume by using either the Cronometer app or the MyNetDiary app for approximately a week and then try reducing the foods highest in fiber to see if that makes a difference.
3rd Reason:
Too much fat, especially in one meal can cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea. It’s mainly a concern for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but too much fat can cause stomach problems in anyone.
Main plant-based sources of fat can be seeds, nuts, and oils. Snacking on peanuts and almonds in large quantities at once can be a large sum of fats for the gut. Over time, the body will adapt. If you would like to ease the transition, simply reduce how much fats you’re eating, or try to spread it out more.
4th Reason:
An increase in FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols), a range of carbohydrates that certain foods contain may cause some stomach issues.
Take a look at the FODMAP image listing the foods high and low in FODMAPs. If you may be eating a lot of foods on the bottom (red) half, then they may be the cause of your issues. Peanut butter is low in FODMAPs and good to include for more calories.
Remedies for Digestive Problems:
In addition to the above solutions, here are a few other things you can do:
1. Take digestive enzymes or vegan probiotic supplements or foods ?~
These supplements help to digest food and are completely safe.
(Links are in the comments)
Naturally, foods like pineapple? and papaya contain very helpful digestive enzymes, so eating more of them may resolve your stomach issues.
Other good probiotic foods are kimchi, sauerkraut, water kefir, and kombucha.
2. Soak your beans and legumes ?~
You can remove most of the oligosaccharides (a FODMAP) and other anti-nutrients by soaking or sprouting beans and legumes. Sprouting beans makes a big difference for many when first going plant-based – from chili causing bloat to no ill effects at all.
3. Eat slower and chew well ?~
Plants in general have tougher cell walls. Chewing more will help pre-digest your food before it enters your stomach.
4. Temporary caloric restriction ?~
To check if you’re simply eating too much of something (fiber, FODMAP, etc.), simply eat much less than normal for just a few days. If things become much easier, then the amount of something that you were eating was the cause, and you can start finding that by eliminating based on the above information.
?Finally, be reassured this is just an adjsutment for better health and helping the animals and environment. ? ?
Digestive things are temporary and do get much easier. After a few months, you’ll have a calm stomach and feel more healthy and full of energy as well. Keep going. If you have any questions, please ask any time. ?
