What Is The Difference and Similarity Between Cirrhosis And Hepatitis?

The condition of hepatitis and Cirrhosis are both responsible for affecting the liver. There may be some similarities in the two conditions since they both affect the liver. However, some differences need to be looked upon.

Generally, hepatitis is sometimes reversible or curable and sometimes not, whereas Cirrhosis leads to scarring of the liver permanently, which is usually the result of chronic hepatitis. Both conditions can be treated by consulting a doctor for cirrhosis and hepatitis treatment in ludhiana at Ameritus Hospital.

• Hepatitis Vs Cirrhosis: Before diving into the similarities and differences of both these conditions, you must understand the basic definition of the two.
• Hepatitis: Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. It is caused by well-known viruses such as hepatitis B and also a host of other factors. Different forms of hepatitis include:
• Infectious Hepatitis: There are a number of infectious causes that lead to hepatitis. Infectious hepatitis includes hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, along with viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis and cytomegalovirus.
• Drug-Included Hepatitis: Several drugs can also lead to dysfunction of the liver.
• Alcoholic Hepatitis: Excess intake of alcohol affects the liver in several ways. This leads to conditions like alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver and cirrhosis.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis: Autoimmune diseases are diseases in which the immune system of our body creates antibodies to fight our tissues.
• Toxin Or Chemical Exposure: Several common compounds are toxic to the liver. These chemicals can be insecticides or chemicals found in ordinary household cleaners, etc.

Cirrhosis Of The Liver

Cirrhosis leads to the permanent scarring of the liver. Although the liver has abilities to regenerate itself after an injury, constant and repeated injuries or chronic infections like chronic hepatitis can stop the process of regeneration or healing of the liver. This leads to an improper working of the liver with the development of scarring.

The causes that are responsible for hepatitis are similar to the causes of cirrhosis; the only difference is that with hepatitis, the liver is generally able to heal itself, whereas it is not the same case with cirrhosis.

However, there may be some causes responsible for cirrhosis other than the causes of the condition of hepatitis. This may include hemochromatosis, which is an inherited disease caused by an overdose of iron, and alpha-1-antitrypsin, which is caused by the hereditary absence of an enzyme. And bile-duct conditions like congenital biliary atresia.

Over time, the condition of cirrhosis can worsen, which can completely cause the liver to lose its ability to function. It leads the organ to become small and solidify with time. It is better to get the best cirrhosis and hepatitis treatment in Ludhiana before the condition reaches the stage of complete damage to the liver.

What Are The Similarities Between Hepatitis And Cirrhosis?

• Both conditions are responsible for damaging the liver, which can lead to abnormal liver function tests and symptoms of liver dysfunction.
• Both the conditions of hepatitis and cirrhosis can result in liver cancer and liver failure and may also require a liver transplant.

What Are The Differences Between Hepatitis And Cirrhosis?

There are several important differences between the two conditions, even after having almost the same causes. These differences may include:

• Reversibility: Cirrhosis is irreversible or incurable, whereas the condition of hepatitis may be reversible depending upon the cause.
• Blood tests: With hepatitis, especially the acute one, liver enzymes like ALT and AST are highly affected, which leads to their elevation. However, with cirrhosis, at least in the beginning stage, there may be very slight abnormalities in the tests of liver functions.
• Conditions other than hepatitis can result in cirrhosis: Some conditions that are different from the cause of hepatitis can also lead to cirrhosis. This may include conditions like hemochromatosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, and many other conditions that can lead to cirrhosis. These conditions can be managed by the best doctor for cirrhosis and hepatitis treatment in ludhiana.
• Treatments: With hepatitis, the main aim is to reduce the severity of the disease. This may include treatment of an infection or getting rid of the drugs that may be causing hepatitis related to drugs. However, with cirrhosis, scarring is permanent and is irreversible. Therefore, the aim of managing cirrhosis is to treat the symptoms caused by cirrhosis and prevent any further damage to the liver with the help of the best cirrhosis and hepatitis treatment in ludhiana.
• Symptoms: The symptoms that are more common with cirrhosis than hepatitis are an enlarged spleen, low platelet count and a low level of protein in the blood.

These are some of the similarities as well as differences between cirrhosis and hepatitis. If you notice any symptoms related to the two conditions, consult the best doctor for cirrhosis and hepatitis treatment in ludhiana only at Ameritus Hospital. Also, note that any measures to manage the condition must be taken under the guidelines of professional healthcare.