Hepatitis Specialist

Capitol Gastro

Gastroenterologists located in Austin, TX and surrounding areas

Your liver assists in the digestion of food and clears your blood of toxic substances. It’s also at risk of disease, such as hepatitis, which may impair its function. The board-certified gastroenterologists at Capitol Gastro, with offices in Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Dripping Springs, Texas, specialize in the diagnosis and management of hepatitis and can provide treatments to improve liver health. For an appointment, call one of our convenient locations today or book online.

Hepatitis Q & A

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is a general term that refers to inflammation of your liver. You can develop hepatitis from a viral infection or from drug or alcohol abuse. Some forms of hepatitis are mild and resolve without causing damage to your liver, but others are more serious and may lead to long-term health issues if left untreated.

The experienced team at Capitol Gastro specializes in liver health and the management of hepatitis. If you have hepatitis, or concerns about hepatitis, call today for an evaluation and treatment plan.

What causes hepatitis?

There are several viruses that can lead to the development of hepatitis. Viral causes of hepatitis include:

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral infection that’s often transmitted through contaminated water or food. Unlike other types of viral infections, hepatitis A doesn’t cause permanent liver damage.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is more serious than hepatitis A and can lead to scarring and permanent damage to your liver. This virus is spread when you come into contact with blood or other bodily fluids contaminated with the virus.

Hepatitis C

Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C is a serious viral infection spread through contaminated blood that can cause permanent liver damage.

As previously mentioned, drug and alcohol use can also lead to hepatitis.

Does hepatitis cause symptoms?

No, hepatitis doesn’t always cause symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, the severity may vary. Common symptoms of hepatitis include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Jaundice, yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • Diarrhea
  • Dark-colored urine and pale bowel movements
  • Lack of appetite
  • Nausea or vomiting

With hepatitis C, you may not experience any symptoms until the virus has damaged your liver to the extent that you’re showing signs of liver disease, such as bleeding and bruising easily, ascites, or leg swelling.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, the team at Capitol Gastro can perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and provide the most effective treatment.

How is hepatitis treated?

Treatment for your hepatitis may depend on the underlying cause.

For example, with hepatitis A, your specialist may recommend rest and fluids until the infection resolves on its own. For hepatitis C, your specialist can prescribe anti-viral medication that can make the virus undetectable in your body.

Hepatitis is a serious health issue that can lead to permanent liver damage if not treated. Thanks to advances in medical research, there are treatments that can eradicate some of the viruses responsible for the damage. To learn more about your treatment options for hepatitis, call Capitol Gastro today or book an appointment online.

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