{"id":5676,"date":"2019-04-22T12:46:29","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T12:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5676"},"modified":"2021-06-04T00:08:08","modified_gmt":"2021-06-04T00:08:08","slug":"14-truths-you-need-to-know-about-hepatitis-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-truths-you-need-to-know-about-hepatitis-c\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Truths You Need to Know About Hepatitis C"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When it comes to having hepatitis C, you definitely want honest answers. You want to know the truth about your illness, and that can mean coming to terms with some pretty scary stuff. In this article, we\u2019re going to go over eight truths that you need to know if you have hepatitis C. First, let\u2019s take a look at the stages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are four basic stages of hepatitis infection. The first is the incubation period where you may not see any symptoms at all. Acute hepatitis causes mild to moderate symptoms. Chronic hepatitis is what happens when you are not able to treat or eradicate hepatitis C completely and end up living with it. End-stage hepatitis is rare if you are getting treatment and can result in liver failure, liver cancer, and other serious complications. Now you understand the illness better, let\u2019s take a look at eight important truths about hepatitis C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. If You Experience Jaundice, You Need to Get Help Immediately<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Along with understanding these truths, you should also understand that it is perfectly okay to be hopeful because there has been a great deal of research done on hepatitis C<\/a> and most people that have the illness are able to recover from it and have fulfilling lives with it. However, that is not the case when it comes to jaundice. Jaundice means that liver damage already occurs and it is possible that your liver is failing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing jaundice, which is the yellowing of the eyes and possible yellowing of the skin, then you need to go to the emergency room or see your doctor immediately because it will only be through medication and treatment that you will be able to recover from such serious problems. You should also avoid alcohol, over-the-counter medication that affects the liver and other potential contributors to liver failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. The Retention of Fluids is a Sure Sign That Your Illness Has Progressed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another warning sign that you will notice is the retention of fluids. When your body starts to maintain excess fluids in your stomach<\/a>, arms and legs, it is a major warning sign that your liver disease is progressing. You will notice this retention of fluids even if you are not doing anything that would normally lead to retention of fluids such as sitting at a desk for long periods of time and allowing fluid to pool at the ankles or feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, these actions may lead to much more pronounced retention of fluids that can cause pain and be extremely uncomfortable until you have taken steps to relieve them such as elevating the legs. But you should definitely be aware of the truth that if you are retaining fluids, then your liver disease has progressed quite far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. You Will Bleed & Bruise More Easily <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You also need to take into account the fact that you are going to lead in bruise more easily when you have hepatitis C. There are reasons behind both of these. First of all, deliver actually has quite a bit to do with whether or not your blood clots. That\u2019s because the proteins <\/a>that are used in blood clotting are produced in the liver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means that if those proteins are not being produced in sufficient numbers, then when you get caught it is very difficult for the cut to clot and heal. The same goes for bruising. The liver is not producing the right materials \u2013 in this case, platelets \u2013 and as a result, when you have an impact or injury, you may find yourself with a bruise that does not go away for a long time. These are both definite warning signs for hepatitis C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Your Urine May Change Color<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may notice that your urine changes color as well. This is another fact of life when you have hepatitis C. This is due to the changes in your liver. Because your body is not able to get rid of toxins <\/a>as well as it used to be able to, you are going to notice changes in both your urine and your stool. In the case of urine, the change comes from the buildup of bilirubin which is a substance that is produced in the liver whenever your liver is not working properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This substance is spread throughout the body and can change the color of your urine too much darker than normal. The condition is called chloluria and it is accompanied by chalk-colored stools as well. Until you have treated your illness and your liver is working at maximum capacity, these are just truths you\u2019re going to have to face with hepatitis C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. You Will Probably Lose Weight<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You are probably going to lose weight when you have hepatitis C. This is due to several effects of the infection. For one thing, you may not feel like eating at all. Loss of appetite is extremely common when it comes to hepatitis C. the fact is, when you are sick you simply do not feel like eating. But besides that is a contributing cause to weight loss you are also likely to experience nausea and vomiting<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nausea and vomiting are two very common sides of hepatitis C, and since you are feeling nauseous all the time and throw up when you delete something, it can be difficult to maintain the calories that you need to state your current weight. Most people experience some weight loss until they get treatment for their disease. This weight loss will probably increase if no treatment is sought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. You may be Tired all of the Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chronic fatigue<\/a> is a very common part of having hepatitis C. In fact, taking naps throughout the day or resting between tasks is pretty much a common part of every major illness. Being tired all the time will take its toll on your life, and it is one of the most debilitating symptoms of hepatitis C. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are in the early stages of the illness, you may not notice much of a change, but if you are in the acute stages or later stages, then you may have to take several naps during the day in order to recover your energy and be able to complete tasks. These tasks may also require more energy than you are used to expending on. That means that they may go slower and you will be able to do less of them each day. You will recover from this once you have been treated for your hepatitis C<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Fever may become Commonplace<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fever<\/a> is a sign that you have an infection in your body, and hepatitis C is definitely an infection that your body will attempt to fight. Having fevers may become more commonplace than you\u2019re used to. You may notice that you have a slight fever throughout the day, or if your illness gets really bad, then your fever may be much more pronounced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why it is important to seek treatment for hepatitis C as soon as possible. Fevers can definitely complicate things, so you want to avoid them as much as possible. With contributing factors like fever, low energy and the inability to concentrate on task, hepatitis C can be extremely debilitating for anyone that has a regular job or normal responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. You Will Experience Chronic Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, one of the effects of having hepatitis C is chronic pain. There are several forms that your pain can take including joint pain, abdominal pain and more. Abdominal pain is due to the damage done to your liver. Joint pain and other pain throughout your body are usually due to inflammation <\/a>that comes from having a damaged liver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, there isn\u2019t a whole lot you can do about the pain except to take pain medication. However, Tylenol can do even more damage to your liver so you want to avoid it if at all possible. Your doctor may be of the suggest some strategies or some alternative pain medications that can make life easier while you are getting treatment for your hepatitis but the main way to treat this chronic pain is by eliminating the disease itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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