Hepatitis continues to be one of the leading health threats worldwide. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), this disease affects more than 10 million people in the Americas. Many suffer from it without knowing it, which increases their risk and can lead to serious or even irreversible consequences. However, medical advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention have transformed the management of this disease.
Taking preventative measures is essential to maintaining a healthy liver and preventing long-term complications.
What is hepatitis and why should we pay attention to it?
Medline Plus details that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viral infections, excessive alcohol consumption, autoimmune diseases, or even prolonged exposure to toxins and medications. The Catalan Association of Liver Patients establishes different types of hepatitis, the most common being A, B, and C:
- Hepatitis A: It is transmitted through contaminated water or food. It is usually acute and resolves without specific treatment.
- Hepatitis B: It is transmitted through contact with blood or bodily fluids. It can become chronic, causing progressive liver deterioration.
- Hepatitis C: It is also transmitted through contact with infected blood. It is often asymptomatic until the disease reaches advanced stages.
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse indicates that initial screening is done through antibody tests, which indicate whether you've been exposed to the hepatitis virus. However, they don't confirm whether the infection is still active. If the result is positive, an additional test that measures the amount of virus present in the blood should be performed.
Medical advances in the fight against hepatitis
The World Health Organization indicates that acute hepatitis B has no specific treatment and is managed with general care for the patient's well-being, such as maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration to avoid complications such as dehydration.
While hypoxic hepatitis (HH) — also known as ischemic hepatitis or liver shock — occurs, according to the National Library of Medicine, acutely and is related to a sudden reduction in oxygen to the liver, commonly caused by heart failure, septic shock, or respiratory failure.
Chronic hepatitis B presents a different picture. The latter can be managed with oral antiviral medications, which, over the long term, help slow the progression to cirrhosis and reduce the risk of liver cancer. Thus, while HH requires immediate attention to the underlying cause, chronic hepatitis B requires sustained treatment over time.
In Ecuador, the Ministry of Public Health is implementing strategies such as expanding hepatitis B vaccination, implementing rapid diagnostic tests, providing access to treatment, and providing community education.
According to national data, 923 cases of hepatitis B were reported between 2020 and 2023, primarily in the provinces of Esmeraldas, Pichincha, Morona Santiago, Guayas, and Manabí. During the same period, 140 cases of hepatitis C were recorded, with a stable trend, but it remains a cause for medical attention.
Key recommendations for maintaining a healthy liver
Beyond medical advances, maintaining a healthy liver depends largely on our daily habits. Below are some practical recommendations:
- Maintain a balanced diet, incorporating vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and cereals. These foods promote the natural elimination of toxins and contribute to healthy liver function.
- Reduce your consumption of saturated fats, as excess can disrupt liver metabolism.
- Stay hydrated. It's recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to facilitate the detoxification process.
- Consume alcohol in moderation. Excessive use can cause severe liver damage, including cirrhosis.
- Engage in regular physical activity. Exercise improves overall health and optimizes organ function, including the liver.
- Avoid self-medication. The indiscriminate use of medications, especially painkillers or antibiotics, can trigger liver toxicity.
- Limit your consumption of ultra-processed foods, including those high in sugar, trans fats, and stimulants, as they negatively affect liver health.
- Have an annual medical checkup. This way, you can monitor and assess your liver health.
- Control your body weight. Overweight and obesity are associated with liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Preventing hepatitis is both an individual and collective responsibility. Through vaccination, access to early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, it is possible to significantly reduce the impact of this disease.
Caring for your liver means caring for your overall well-being. Prevention today is the key to avoiding complications in the future.
