Hepatitis cryptogenic: symptoms and general principles of treatment

If there is diffuse inflammation in the liver, then this pathological condition is called hepatitis. It can arise for various reasons. Mostly, the provoking factor is viral infections. Also, the disease often develops due to poisoning of the body with drugs or intoxication with alcohol. In most cases, the disease is successfully cured if it has been correctly diagnosed and its causative agent has been identified.

But in some cases the disease takes a protracted character, and the cause that caused it can not be found. In this case, this kind of pathological condition of the liver is called cryptogenic hepatitis. For this form of the disease, it is not possible to prescribe a specific treatment and certain medications. So what is cryptogenic hepatitis? Causes, diagnosis, treatment of this disease will also be considered.

Causes

Why can there be cryptogenic hepatitis? This pathological condition can affect from 10 to 25% of the total number of diagnosed liver diseases. If the disease was found six months after the onset of its development, then the treatment would be ineffective. This often leads to cirrhosis of the liver or cancerous organ tumors.

If there is a cryptogenic hepatitis, the reasons leading to this may be the following:

• Drug or alcohol abuse;
• Use of certain medicines;
• Viral infections.

Symptoms of the disease

Hepatitis cryptogenic at the initial stage of its development can manifest itself with a slight rise in temperature, which may not be. There is also headache, decreased appetite, joint pain, general malaise. After a while, there may be severity or pain in the right upper quadrant. Then there is nausea and vomiting, an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth, constipation or diarrhea, bloating. Such symptoms are due to the fact that, due to insufficient production of bile by liver cells, digestion disorders occur.

The skin of the patient becomes icteric, urine acquires a dark color, the feces become discolored, skin itching occurs. Begins to increase in size, not only the liver, but also the spleen. The patient begins to often get irritated and cry, his mood is constantly changing, there is insomnia.

In the future, cryptogenic hepatitis affects the vessels: palms acquire a red tint, the whole body appears vascular sprouts and pinpoint hemorrhages, there may be nasal or uterine bleeding, from minor strokes, severe bruising develops.

Diagnosis of pathology

Cryptogenic hepatitis is a chronic disease, for its diagnosis will require a long examination. To make an accurate diagnosis, many other diseases should be excluded:

• All forms of viral hepatitis A to F;
• Autoimmune diseases;
• Viruses that can affect liver function - Epstein-Barr virus, herpes, yellow fever virus , cytomegalovirus;
• Such hereditary factors as Wilson-Konovalov's disease and hemochromatosis.

For completeness, the doctor can refer the patient to additional studies:

• CT, ultrasound and MRI of the abdominal cavity ;
• Gastroscopy;
• Biopsy;
• Elastometry of the liver ;
• Colonoscopy, X-ray of the intestine with contrast.

Also, in order to establish the diagnosis, the patient must pass urine, blood and stool to the study. They are able to give a holistic picture of the disease.

General principles of treatment

The prognosis for this type of disease largely depends on the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy. Treatment of cryptogenic hepatitis includes compliance with a strict diet, which excludes the use of food that irritates the liver (spicy, spicy or smoked). Also it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol.

Patients are recommended diet number 5, which includes products cooked on steam, as well as rich in protein. To maintain the vitamin balance, you should eat vegetables and fruits. In addition, it is necessary to limit the impact of the negative impact of the environment to the maximum, exclude physical activity.

Medication

Chronic cryptogenic hepatitis is also treated with drug therapy, consisting of:

• Preparations aimed at normalizing the work of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. These include probiotics, enterosorbents and enzymes necessary for the body.
• Detoxification therapy, which includes saline solutions, 5% glucose, "Hemodez", "Reopoliglyukin", "Polyglukin".
• Hepatoprotectors, which promote the protection of cells of the diseased liver from the adverse effects of the environment. To such preparations carry "Essentiale".
• Vitamins and trace elements that help the body stay toned and prevent the development of inflammatory processes.

Dosage and the course of taking medications are prescribed individually for each patient, taking into account the symptoms of the disease and the degree of liver damage.

To successfully cure hepatitis cryptogenic, it is necessary to carry out complex therapy of all concomitant diseases. The doctor, prescribing medicines, must take into account their hepatotoxic effect. As a treatment, many people use the methods of traditional medicine. As antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents, tincture of calendula, St. John's wort or celandine is used. In addition, take decoctions and infusions, which have spasmolytic and choleretic effect.

Forecast

To diagnose this pathology is very difficult and is carried out by the "method of elimination". In this case, exclude diseases that have a similar clinical picture. Such a form of hepatitis is treated for a very long time, but if you follow all the prescriptions and recommendations of a doctor, then the prognosis is usually favorable.

Drug medications are selected individually, taking into account the causes of the onset of the disease and the concomitant diseases. The patient should be constantly under the dynamic supervision of a gastroenterologist or hepatologist and periodically take a biochemical blood test to monitor liver function.

Conclusion

Thus, cryptogenic hepatitis is a very insidious disease. It is very important to diagnose it correctly and choose the right treatment. This disease is chronic and can be masked for other diseases. With all the recommendations of the doctor, the prognosis is quite favorable.