If diffuse inflammation is present in the liver, then this pathological condition is called hepatitis. It can arise for various reasons. In general, viral infections are a provoking factor. Also, the disease often develops due to poisoning of the body with drugs or alcohol intoxication. In most cases, the disease is successfully cured if it was correctly diagnosed and its pathogen detected.
But in some cases, the disease takes a protracted nature, and the cause that caused it cannot be found. In this case, this type 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? The causes, diagnosis, treatment of this disease will also be considered.
Causes of occurrence
Why can cryptogenic hepatitis occur? This pathological condition can affect from 10 to 25% of the total number of liver diseases detected . If the disease is detected six months after the start of its development, then in this case the treatment will be ineffective. This often leads to cirrhosis of the liver or cancerous organ tumors.
If cryptogenic hepatitis occurs, the causes leading to this may be the following:
- drug or alcohol abuse;
- the use of certain drugs;
- viral infections.
Symptoms of the disease
Cryptogenic hepatitis at the initial stage of its development can occur with a slight increase in temperature, which may not be. Headache, loss of appetite, joint pain, general malaise are also noted. After a while, severity or pain in the right hypochondrium may occur. Then there is nausea and vomiting, an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth, constipation or diarrhea, bloating. Such symptoms are due to the fact that digestive upset occurs due to insufficient production of bile by the liver cells.
The skin of the patient becomes icteric, the urine acquires a dark color, feces become discolored, skin itching occurs. Not only the liver, but also the spleen begins to increase in size. The patient often begins to get irritated and cry, his mood is constantly changing, insomnia appears.
In the future, cryptogenic hepatitis affects the vessels: the palms acquire a red tint, vascular asterisks and pinpoint hemorrhages appear on the whole body, nose or uterine bleeding can occur, and severe bruising forms from minor strokes.
Pathology diagnostics
Cryptogenic hepatitis is a chronic disease, a long examination will be required to diagnose it. 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;
- hereditary factors such as Wilson-Konovalov disease and hemochromatosis.
To complete the picture, the doctor can refer the patient to additional studies:
- CT, ultrasound and MRI of the abdomen ;
- gastroscopy;
- biopsy
- liver elastometry ;
- colonoscopy, x-ray of the intestine with contrast.
Also, to establish a diagnosis, the patient must pass urine, blood and feces for examination. 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 a strict diet, which eliminates the use of food that irritates the liver (spicy, spicy or smoked). It is also strictly forbidden to drink alcohol.
Patients are recommended diet No. 5, which includes steamed foods, as well as rich in protein. To maintain vitamin balance, you should eat vegetables and fruits. In addition, it is necessary to limit the influence of the negative environmental impact to the maximum, to exclude physical activity.
Drug treatment
Chronic cryptogenic hepatitis is treated with drug therapy, consisting of:
- Drugs aimed at normalizing the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. These include probiotics, enterosorbents and enzymes necessary for the body.
- Detoxification therapy, which includes saline solutions, 5% glucose, Gemodez, Reopoliglyukin, Polyglukin.
- Hepatoprotectors that help protect diseased liver cells from environmental damage. These drugs include "Essential".
- Vitamins and minerals that help the body stay in good shape and prevent the development of inflammatory processes.
The dosage and course of taking the drugs is prescribed individually for each patient, taking into account the symptoms of the disease and the degree of liver damage.
In order to successfully crypt hepatitis cryptogenic, it is necessary to carry out complex therapy of all concomitant diseases. The doctor, prescribing drugs, must necessarily take into account their hepatotoxic effect. As a treatment, many use traditional medicine methods. As antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs, tincture of calendula, St. John's wort or celandine is used. In addition, take decoctions and infusions with antispasmodic and choleretic action.
Forecast
It is very difficult to diagnose this pathology and is carried out by the “exclusion method”. In this case, diseases that have a similar clinical picture are excluded. This form of hepatitis is treated for a very long time, but if you follow all the prescriptions and recommendations of the doctor, then the prognosis is most often favorable.
Medications are selected individually, taking into account the causes of the disease and related diseases. The patient should constantly be under the dynamic supervision of a gastroenterologist or hepatologist and periodically undergo a biochemical blood test to monitor liver function.
Output
Thus, cryptogenic hepatitis is a very insidious disease. It is very important to diagnose it correctly and choose the right treatment. Such a disease is chronic and can disguise itself as other diseases. With all the recommendations of the doctor, the prognosis is quite favorable.