Hepatitis C is an illness of the liver causing inflammation to the organ due to a viral infection. There are two types of Hepatitis C – acute and chronic. This article lists the causes and symptoms of hepatitis C.
Causes
Hepatitis C is a viral illness. It is caused when a person is infected with HCV (hepatitis C virus). The infection is contaminated via blood and affects the liver. It is one of the most common illnesses transmitted through blood in the country. Some of the ways this contamination happens include:
- Reusing injection syringes that have already been used on an infected person.
- Reuse of other medical equipment that has not been sterilized sufficiently.
- Sexual activities that can expose one to blood.
- Through the transfusion of blood and related products that have not been checked.
Symptoms
Here are some of these symptoms for both the categories of Hepatitis C.
Change in bladder movement and color of urine
Patients affected by Hepatitis C may notice that the urine is darker in color. The patients may also notice poor bladder and bowel movements as the capability of the body to eliminate waste gets disrupted
Nausea and abdominal discomfort
The doctor may ask a person get the required tests done if there are no other causes for nausea and abdominal discomfort and if it is accompanied by other symptoms of Hepatitis C. Individuals may also experience other kinds of discomfort in their abdomen due to the build-up of fluids in the stomach. This happens in the absence of enough protein albumin, as it is not sufficiently produced by the liver when one has Hepatitis C.
Fatigue and Sluggishness
The virus that causes Hepatitis C can also affect other cells in the body. It causes the immune system to target the thyroid cells mistakenly leading them to stop functioning effectively. An overactive or underactive thyroid function can lead to chronic tiredness and even sleep disorder.
Jaundice
Hepatitis C virus can also cause jaundice as a result of a malfunctioning liver. This improper functioning can lead to abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the body. Patients with the liver disorder may experience skin, nails, and the white part of the eyes turning yellow.
Blood-related problems
The liver can fail to create the necessary additions to the blood when it does not function well. This can show its effect on the spleen and can cause anemia and other blood-related problems.
There may also be a grown pressure on the vein system in the liver that can lead to internal bleeding. This can occur when the veins burst from the pressure.
Weight loss and change in appetite
The improper functioning of the thyroid as a result of the Hepatitis C virus can lead to malabsorption of vitamins in the body. These changes in nutrition can lead to the patient losing weight. Some may also lose appetite due to the illness.
