Best Hepatology Hospitals in Chennai

• Hepatitis B carriers are persons who carry the hepatitis B virus in their blood but do not experience symptoms. Between 6% and 10% of persons infected with the virus will become carriers and will be able to infect others without knowing it.

• A considerable proportion of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) patients are in the inactive carrier state, which is characterised by normal transaminase levels, limited viral replication, and little liver necroinflammatory activity. After at least one year of frequent monitoring, a diagnosis is made, and lifelong follow-up is required to ensure that this status is maintained.

• In case there is no improvement in HBVDNA levels, consult your expert but do not stop the medication on your own.

• Drugs prescribed such as Tafero (tenofovir) acts by ceasing the production of new viruses, blocks or slows viral proliferation in human cells, and eliminates the infection and also boost the level of CD4 cells (white blood cells that fight infection) in your blood. Entaliv (entecavir) acts by inhibiting the viral replications processes like reverse transcription, DNA replication and transcription.

• Fatty liver disease is a condition caused by fat buildup in the liver (i.e., when fat percentage exceeds 5 - 10% of your liver's weight), which can be caused by alcohol intake and/or a high fat diet. Individuals who are obese/overweight, have poor glycemic control/insulin resistance, have metabolic syndrome, and are taking specific drugs such as amiodarone, diltiazem, tamoxifen, or steroids are at risk of developing fatty liver.

• In some situations, it is thought to be symptomless, but in others, it can cause substantial liver damage. The good news is that it is frequently avoidable or reversible with lifestyle modifications.

• It progresses through 3 stages which include Steatohepatitis (swelling and damage of liver tissue), Fibrosis (scar tissue formation where your liver is damaged) and Cirrhosis (extensive scar tissue replacement with healthy tissue). Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure or cancer.

• Laboratory investigations consists of Liver functions tests such as AST, ALT, ALP and GGT; Total Albumin and Bilirubin, CBC, Test for viral infection, Fasting Blood Glucose, HbA1c and Lipid profile.

• Imaging procedures such as Ultrasound, CT /MRI, Elastography (for measuring stiffness of liver) and Magnetic resonance elastography and Biopsy (for ruling out any cancerous growth and for signs or any inflammation and scarring).

• If a patient has a fatty liver, he or she should be checked for the entire metabolic syndrome, which includes diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, and thyroid issues.

• The best way to treat fatty liver is with making some lifestyle changes which can significantly improve your health which includes – Avoiding alcohol and High fat diet, Losing weight, taking medications for controlling glucose and fat(Triglyceride and Cholesterol) levels and Vitamin E with Thiazolidinediones in specific instances.

• Currently, no drug treatment is approved for management of fatty liver disease.

In order to prevent further progression of disease one can:

 Maintain a healthy weight by consuming food less/minimal in in its fat percentage.

 Follow a Mediterranean diet which is high in vegetables, fruits and good fats.

 Exercise regularly for 45 minutes where in you can include combination of cycling with walking, cardio, CrossFit and yoga with meditation.

 Restrict alcohol consumption