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Toxic Hepatitis

Toxic hepatitis is a liver disease resulting in inflammation of the liver due to exposure to toxic substances.

your quick guide to this page

what is toxic hepatitis?
Learn what defines toxic hepatitis and what its general consequences are.
fast facts
Get a quick overview of toxic hepatitis through statistics and bite-sized facts.
symptoms
Learn about the symptoms of toxic hepatitis, how to recognize them, and what to do if you experience them.
lifestyle impacts
Find out how toxic hepatitis impacts your lifestyle.
what can I do?
Discover management and treatment strategies for toxic hepatitis.
additional resources
Find useful links, education, articles, recipes and more that can help with toxic hepatitis.

what is toxic hepatitis?

Toxic hepatitis is a form of liver disease caused by exposure to toxic substances. It occurs when the liver becomes inflamed due to the exposure to alcohol, drugs, chemicals, or toxins in the environment. When exposed to harmful substances, the liver becomes inflamed as it tries to process and eliminate these toxins. Prolonged or severe exposure can impair the liver’s capacity to regenerate, leading to permanent damage and scarring. This scarring impairs the liver’s ability to perform it’s essential functions, potentially resulting in liver failure.

fast facts

  • The incidence of toxic hepatitis is approximately 8 per every 10, 000 people.
  • Toxic hepatitis is more common in women than men.
  • Toxic hepatitis is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person.
  • Toxic hepatitis causes 10-15% of all liver failure cases globally.

symptoms

Common symptoms of toxic hepatitis include:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Enlarged liver
  • Dark urine
  • Pale stools

lifestyle impacts

Since the liver has the unique ability to regenerate, if exposure to toxic substances is done in early stages, toxic hepatitis can be resolved naturally. If exposure is not stopped, this can lead to permanent liver damage and potentially liver failure which is life-threatening.

what can I do?

prevention

Toxic hepatitis is a liver disease that can be prevented by:

  • Avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals
  • Taking medications as directed by a doctor
  • Limiting the consumption of alcohol
  • Consulting a doctor before consuming supplements and herbs
  • Avoiding exposure to natural toxins

diagnosis

Diagnosis for toxic hepatitis involves a thorough examination of previous exposures and daily activities followed by diagnostic testing if necessary. These diagnostic tests include:

  • Blood tests to assess liver enzymes levels and function.
  • Imaging studies (X-ray, Ultrasound or CT scans) to assess liver inflammation
  • Liver biopsy to confirm diagnosis

treatment

Treatment for toxic hepatitis focuses on limiting exposure to toxic substances and managing symptoms. These treatment methods include:

  • Avoiding exposure to toxic substances
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (balanced diet, daily exercise, quality sleep)
  • In some cases if a patient has severe liver damage, a liver transplant may be necessary

additional resources

Here are a few questions to ask your doctor or medical team:

  • What is the status of my liver?
  • What is the likely cause of my liver damage?
  • What lifestyle changes should I make to improve my liver function?
  • How should I monitor my liver health during these lifestyle changes?