Autoimmune Hepatitis is a rare chronic inflammatory liver disease characterized by an elevated,
inflamed liver and immunoglobulin G level. It is a chronic disease where the patient’s immune
system attacks and lead to swelling. If left untreated for long, this might lead to permanent
cirrhosis. Though the exact causes are not known yet, genetic and environmental factors are said
to trigger it. It is advisable that you treat this disease as early as possible to avoid scarring of the
liver and failure. But before we get deeper into the symptoms and treatment options, let’s
understand the types of autoimmune hepatitis.
Type 1 : It is a common form of autoimmune hepatitis that affect young women and is associated
with other autoimmune diseases.
Type 2 : It is a rare form that primarily affects girls between the age of 2 and 14.
Symptoms of AIH vary from person to person, and so does the severity of this disease. Patients
with other autoimmune conditions have a 25-50% higher risk of developing autoimmune
hepatitis.
A patient may have no symptoms in the beginning but symptoms might appear suddenly in later
stages.
Some of the common symptoms of AIH include –
Certain factors associated with AIH may increase the risk of this disease:
1. Gender : Although the disease can occur to both men and women, it is more common in
females.
2. Heredity : If it occurs in the family, it will definitely pass on to the next generation.
3. History Of Certain Infections : Diseases like measles, herpes simplex or Epstein-Barr virus
increase the risk of developing autoimmune hepatitis. This disease is also linked to Hepatitis A,
B, and C infection.
Regardless of the type of autoimmune hepatitis, the goal of the diagnosis is to stop the immune
system from attacking the patient’s liver. The treatment begins with a proper and thorough
diagnosis which includes:
1. Blood Tests : A blood test helps to identify autoimmune hepatitis from viral hepatitis and other
similar conditions.
2. Liver Biopsy : A liver biopsy is performed to determine the degree and type of liver damage.
The initial treatment begins with medication to slow down the progression of the disease.
1. Prednisone : It is prescribed at a high dose for the first month of the treatment to control the
disease. The doctors typically start with a relatively higher dose and then gradually lower it
down.
Blood tests are performed regularly to find out how the patient is responding to the treatment. A
decrease in the levels of the liver enzymes is a sign of a positive response to the treatment. In
such a scenario, a liver biopsy is done again to confirm the response of the treatment.
In autoimmune hepatitis, early treatment is advisable to lower the chances of developing
cirrhosis and other complications.
2. Liver Transplant : If the medications fail to show any result, and the patient starts developing
liver scarring or failure, a Liver Transplant in India is the best option available.
Autoimmune hepatitis is often a long-term, if not lifelong, condition. It requires close monitoring
of the patient’s condition, particularly when the treatment is stopped. AIH must be prevented and
treated at the earliest to keep yourself from liver failure. Get in touch with the expert at the All
India Liver and Biliary Sciences, Dr Vivek Vij with best Cost of Liver Transplant in india. Book an appointment and get treated at an
affordable cost. He holds years of experience in the field, and can offer the best solution to your
problem. Schedule your consultation today.
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