Hepatitis is an inflammation of the Liver due to a viral infection of the liver or injury caused by a chemical toxin that is associated with damage or death of the liver cells. Hepatitis is a disease that can be caused by a variety of different viruses such as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis is characterized by jaundice, enlarged liver, fever, fatigue and abnormal liver function tests. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are all contagious. Symptoms of Hepatitis In the early stages it may cause flu-like symptoms such as general weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea and muscle aches. Extreme fatigue is a key sign. Chemicals normally secreted by the liver begin to build up in the blood, which causes jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes), foul breath and a bitter taste. Types of Hepatitis   Hepatitis A Virus The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is found in the faeces of someone infected with the virus. It usually spreads by close personal contact and sometimes by eating food or drinking water contaminating HAV. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for those who: travel abroad have other forms of liver disease have many sexual partners are in high-risk occupations, such as health-care and child-care personnel Hepatitis B Virus The hepatitis B virus can be found in all body fluids, though its main routes of infection are through sexual contact, contaminated blood transfusions, and shared needles for drug injections. Hep-B vaccine is made from a part of HBV and is usually given as a series of three or four shots. Hepatitis C Virus The hepatitis C virus can be spread through shared drug needles, contaminated blood products, and, less commonly, through sexual contact. Diagnosis of Hepatitis A patient with an active infection will be advised to have regular blood tests and physical check-ups to monitor the virus. It can be diagnosed by blood tests and liver function tests. Treatment of Hepatitis There are no specific treatments for the acute symptoms of viral hepatitis. Doctors recommend bed rests, a healthy diet, avoidance of alcoholic beverages and fatty foods. Medications may include vitamins and pills to reduce nausea and vomiting. Care must be taken to avoid any drug like contraceptive pills that may further cause injury to the liver cells. Prevention of Hepatitis Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help prevent the infection. Toilets and sinks should be cleaned with antiseptic solutions. Take extra care, particularly when drinking and swimming, if you travel to areas of the world where sanitation is poor and water quality is uncertain.   Hepatitis B is contagious and its main routes of infection are contaminated blood transfusions, shared needles for drug injections and sexual contacts. Use of vaccines greatly decreases the incidence of this infection.   Hepatitis C infection may pass from mother to foetus during pregnancy. A great deal of awareness and caution along with the doctor’s advice is required to prevent this infection. Dietary suggestions for treating infective Hepatitis Hepatitis is an infectious disease characterized by inflammation and degeneration of the Liver cells. The treatment involves adequate rest, a nutritious high-protein, high carbohydrate, moderate fat diet. Here are the considerations kept in mind while treating a patient suffering from Hepatitis: Serving six to eight small frequent meals ensures effective digestion and better appetite. In the initial acute stages, the patient should be offered semi-solid, liquid diet with low fat. This assists recovery from nausea and also avoids stress on all the gastro organs.   Fat/oil/ghee/butter should be avoided in the initial few days.   As the convalescence progresses, a wider selection of food with texture and consistency changes can be offered.   Foods which can be included: Sugar, glucose, honey, cereals, pulses, skimmed milk and milk products, boiled/poached eggs, fruits and vegetables ( certain strongly flavored vegetables may aggravate nausea),coconut water, not too spicy pudina chutney and coconut chutney, low fat puddings and sweets.   Foods which should be avoided: fried and fatty foods, fats and oils, nuts and oilseeds, strongly flavoured vegetables and meats, spicy food and oily pickles. Alcoholic beverages are advised to be avoided at least for a year.   The objective of diet therapy is: to relieve symptoms to aid in the regeneration of liver tissues to prevent further damage to the liver avoid relapse and ensure fast recovery The following dietary modifications are made to achieve the above objectives: Protein In acute severe cases, protein intake is restricted as the Liver is unable to tolerate high protein load. But in mild and moderate cases, high biological value proteins are advised. Low fat dairy products, eggs, Protein beverages can be offered. Milk based desserts like custards, kheer, rasgulla should be encouraged.   Carbohydrates A high carbohydrate diet is recommended to provide bulk of energy, to build up glycogen stores in the liver as a protection against fatty infiltration as well as protein sparing action. Simple carbohydrates like glucose, sugar, honey, fruits, fruit juices, and starches from cereals like rice, breads, sabudana and potatoes, sweet potatoes are recommended.   Fats and Oils In Hepatitis, the liver is in distress and digestion and absorption of fats is affected because of impaired bile secretion. Therefore, it is advised to limit the fat intake to 2-3 tablespoons in a day. Tolerance of the patient should be kept in mind. Eggs, milk are also a source of emulsified fat i.e. do not require bile for digestion and hence can be included in diet. Coconut oil is better tolerated as it is a source of Medium Chain Triglycerides that is directly absorbed and doesn’t require digestion.   Minerals The diet should provide all minerals particularly Calcium and Iron in adequate amounts due to increased tissue catabolism.   Vitamins Requirement of all vitamins especially Vitamin A, C, K and B-group is increased. Therefore, all fruits and vegetables especially green leafy and colored vegetables should be included. Supplements of these vitamins can also be given. Five quick tips to make ‘Therapeutic diet for Hepatitis’ interesting Navratan Khicdi - pressure cook rice and grated carrots with a little salt and water in one cooker and in another cooker boil rice and grated beetroots with a little salt. Let the khicdi cook according to desired consistency. After the two gruels are cooked and mashed serve them together on a deep bowl, one half can be carrot khicdi and the other beetroot khicdi. Relish this with a bowl of Pudina ki chutney which will make the meal very colourful. Carrots, Beetrrots and Mint provide Vitamin A which is required in plenty to heal a Hepatic Liver.   Lauki ki kheer - the requirement for sugars is increased for a hepatitis patient as excess calories puts less stress on liver allowing it to recuperate faster. Grate and boil one-fourth of a Lauki in about half a liter of skimmed milk till the kheer becomes thick and lauki seems well-cooked. Add sugar or jaggery to this and enjoy kheer with a difference.   Yellow moongh dal ka cheela - soak yellow moongh dal for minimum 4 hours in water. After soaking rinse away the water (use it for kneading dough as it contains water soluble vitamins) and grind the dal well in to a fine paste. Garnish the batter with green chillies, finely chopped onions, coriander leaves and make in to pancakes on a non-stick pan. This is a healthier substitute to rotis for a Hepatitis patient as it is higher in proteins.   Radish and Amla salad - both are great detoxifier for the liver. Amla can be chopped in to small cubes/slices and cooked in a pressure cooker with very little water and sugar. After one whistle, cool the amlas and add chopped radish, a little lemon juice and rock salt. Enjoy the tangy-bitter combination of these two natural detoxifiers.   Fruit Sorbet - Puree a banana and a few jamuns or strawberries along with ice and some sugar in a blender. Chill this slush in the freezer for a while. Add a little honey on top and enjoy this refreshing sorbet as dessert. ... Read More