{"id":19862,"date":"2020-02-03T06:23:53","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T06:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=19862"},"modified":"2021-10-15T01:18:24","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T01:18:24","slug":"14-signs-symptoms-of-hepatitis-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/14-signs-symptoms-of-hepatitis-c\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Signs & Symptoms of Hepatitis C"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that can affect people of all ages. The infection leads to liver inflammation and if left untreated, can cause permanent damage to the liver. Hepatitis C is transmitted through contaminated blood and body fluids. In the past, the only treatment for Hepatitis C was weekly oral medications or injections to keep the infection at bay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great majority of those who were infected with Hepatitis C was not able to complete treatment due to the side effects of the medication or because unrelated medical issues interfered with the treatment. Now that medicine has advanced Hepatitis C is fully curable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An infected person can have their Hepatitis C infection cured by taking daily oral medications for a period of two to six months. Most people who have chronic Hepatitis C are unaware because most signs are not apparent until the liver begins to malfunction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Fluid Buildup in the Abdomen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When Hepatitis C<\/a> begins to spread in the body, many people will notice an increase in stomach cramps and stomach pain. This is caused by an increase of protein-filled fluid in the abdominal cavity. This fluid is called ascitic, which comes from the surface of the liver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this fluid builds up in the abdominal cavity it will cause the area to swell. If the buildup of ascitic is left unchecked it can lead to liver disease. A disease of the liver can lead to other complications such as high blood pressure in specific veins attached to the liver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the portal veins attached to the liver become damaged, it will cause cirrhosis of the liver. The ascitic buildup will also cause swelling in the abdomen that is visible to the naked eye. If HCV is suspected, medical professionals will test the fluid in the abdomen to determine if Hep C is the cause.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Loss of Appetite<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common signs of hepatitis C is a notable drop in a person\u2019s appetite<\/a>. Unfortunately, because most people with hepatitis C will lose their desire to eat over a long period of time, it can be harder to pinpoint there is a problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is common for those who previously had a healthy appetite to begin to lose weight or to lose interest in their favorite foods without an identifiable cause. One way to determine if there has been a remarkable change in eating habits by comparing your eating habits over the course of a year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about your eating habits, if you used to snack at night or when you would watch your favorite show but are no longer interested, hepatitis C may be the cause. Keep in mind that hepatitis C doesn\u2019t cause an aversion to food, but is simply decreases the appetite over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Body Aches<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Deep bone body aches and whole-body muscle soreness is another key indicator that a person may have a hepatitis C infection. The hepatitis C virus causes inflammation <\/a>in the bones, joints, and muscles that can result in system-wide pain and discomfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis C also causes the liver to become inflamed which may respond to over the counter medications such as ibuprofen. In the event that over the counter medications are not effective in managing the pain, a medical professional may prescribe something stronger. Even with prescription-strength pain killers, there may be persistent pain caused by a hepatitis C infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only sure way to treat the pain is to eliminate the hepatitis C infection. Some people who suffer from hepatitis C choose alternative therapies to help manage pain and reduce inflammation in their bodies. Salt baths, heat therapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage are effective for pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Easy Bruising<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who do not have a history of bruising easily who notice they have begun to collect bruises <\/a>should consider being tested for hepatitis C. Easy bruising can be caused by many different conditions but the symptom is not as common as other hepatitis C signs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who suffer from hepatitis C have livers that are not working as efficiently as they should. When the liver works too slow or fails to process toxins, the blood that passes through the liver becomes backed up. Backed up blood from the liver is stored in the spleen where it loses its platelets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person with hepatitis C who has fewer platelets in their bloodstream will suffer from slower blood clotting among other issues. The lack of efficient blood clotting, lower platelet counts in the blood, and decreased liver function result in bruising that may persist for several days or even weeks before they heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Spider Angiomas<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people who become infected with hepatitis C will begin to develop spider angiomas along the surface of their skin. Angiomas the skin look just like a spider\u2019s web which is where the symptom earned its name. This side effect occurs when there is a large concentration of dilated blood vessels clumped in one place near the epidermis surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is very easy to mistake angiomas from hepatitis C with simple varicose veins. Both look similar and also have similar symptoms, however varicose veins are harmless. Varicose veins naturally occur as the body ages or following weight loss and certain medical procedures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis C is a direct cause of spider angiomas, unlike varicose veins<\/a>. Spider angiomas will feature a darker central point and the web veins will either be the color of a bruise or bright red. There are currently no known reasons why Hep-C causes spider angiomas to develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Nausea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom found in those suffering from hepatitis C nausea. There is a wide assortment of reasons a person may feel sick to their stomach or may want to throw up. This common symptom can be a result of pregnancy, poor eating habits, or even an unrelated ailment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a person suffers from chronic bouts of nausea <\/a>it may be a sign of a hepatitis C infection. Those who have hepatitis C will often suffer from waves of nausea, loss of appetite, and eventually weight loss. Some people who have hepatitis C will eat as usual but feel unsettled and have the urge to vomit following a meal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others may feel hungry but are unable to eat due to the constant feelings of nausea when food is present or even considered. Nausea from hepatitis C is not always constant or predictable which can make it hard to pinpoint its cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Chronic Fatigue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who have hepatitis C will often suffer from chronic bouts of lethargy and fatigue. Liver disease causes insomnia in most people which can lead to feeling tired even though you may sleep at various points during the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people who suffer from hepatitis C will start off the day with a normal amount of energy only to find that they run out of energy an hour or two later. Most often sleep or caffeine will offer a temporary boost to energy levels, but overall the feeling of needing rest will persist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that you are unable to sleep and night, nod off during regular activities or feel like you are moving through mud all day, hepatitis C may be the cause. Although fatigue and chronic fatigue<\/a> can be caused by many other conditions or simply due to being overworked, hepatitis C or liver disease may be the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Light Colored Stools<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sign that you may have hepatitis C is that your stools are light in color. Your stools and urine <\/a>give a lot of clues about your overall health. Most people will notice they have a health problem with the color of their urine is too dark or too light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same goes for your stools. The majority of stools should be nut brown or dark brown in color. Stool that is very light in color is caused by an abundance of bilirubin in the skin. Hepatitis C causes the liver to malfunction which reduces its filtering efficiency. When the liver is unable to work as it is intended, the amount of bilirubin in your skin will increase as a result of the hepatitis C infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis C is treatable when diagnosed early. The longer a person suffers from hepatitis C without treatment, the harder it will be to cure and the more likely permanent damage will become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Vomiting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who feels nauseous will eventually progress to active vomiting<\/a>. Most people who suffer from hepatitis C will vomit at least once every few days while they have an active infection. Vomiting is often paired with appetite loss and feelings of nausea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, people who have hepatitis C will feel extremely nauseous following a meal, so much that it makes them want to vomit. Even in instances where the person doesn\u2019t vomit, the nauseous feeling will remain or even intensify. Of all the signs and symptoms of hepatitis C, vomiting is the most common and most prevalent. Aside from treatment for hepatitis C, vomiting can sometimes be controlled with over the counter medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a person with hepatitis C does consume a meal, it should be done in close proximity to a bathroom or trash can so you can vomit if the urge becomes unmanageable. Seek medical attention if you notice blood in your vomit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Dry Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most telling signs of liver disease caused by hepatitis C is dry skin<\/a>. Most people will experience dry skin at some point in their lives and some people even suffer from chronically dry skin naturally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you previously never suffered from dry skin but are plagued with it now, it may be a sign of a hepatitis C infection. Dry skin can be treated with hydrating lotions and creams in addition to increasing your water consumption. If creams are not effective, you may suffer from a dermatological condition or hepatitis C. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dry skin alone may not indicate a hepatitis C infection but when paired with other signs and symptoms it can be a concern. The dermatological symptoms of hepatitis C such as dry or itchy skin can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory medication or anti-itch creams. The best course of action is to treat the infection itself to cure the skin problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Confusion and Slurred Speech<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis C virus infections in the liver may cause hepatic encephalopathy<\/a>. When a person develops this disorder their cognitive abilities will begin to decline. Patients may zone out or daze more often. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this state, emotions are not felt and no active thoughts in their mind. Hepatic encephalopathy also has a dramatic effect on a person\u2019s personality which will cause a drastic change in their temperament. While it may be hard for the person suffering from a hepatitis C infection to notice these changes, those around them can see them clearly.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with hepatitis C who have this disorder may become easily confused and forgetful. This is caused by the reduction and diversion of portal blood in the circulatory system. These cognitive changes are usually rapid once they begin their onset. The main treatment for this disorder is treating the hepatitis C infection. Depending on the severity it may be reversible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Jaundice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jaundice <\/a>is a condition of the soft tissues and the skin that causes those areas to turn a yellowish color. Jaundice is caused when the liver is extremely distressed or when a person has a disease of the liver. Fatty liver disease and hepatitis C both cause jaundice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person’s liver creates bilirubin which is a yellow color substance. This substance is a digestive juice that aids the gastrointestinal system in extracting nutrients from the food. It also works to breakdown unprocessed food into waste products. When liver disease from hepatitis C causes jaundice, the best treatment is curing the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jaundice may cause abdominal pain and fever. Once the infection is cured there are supplements and medications that can work to treat the liver and cure jaundice. One good thing to note is that the liver regenerates and with the proper treatment and rest, hepatitis C induced jaundice can be fully reversed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Itching<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who have hepatitis C may notice a sudden or gradual itch develop on the surface of their skin. This symptom affects the skin of the entire body and can be extremely uncomfortable. The irritation can cause an intense desire to scratch though scratching will not relieve the sensation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Itchiness caused by hepatitis C is called pruritus. Hepatitis C induced pruritus <\/a>tends to increase as the day wears on and may also be paired with redness, bumps, blisters, spots, and scaliness on various parts of the body. The majority of pruritus occurrences only last a few days before the irritation subsides, but when a person has Hepatitis C, it will persist as long as the infection is present. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is thought that this occurs due to excessive bilirubin production in the liver. This overproduction causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated. The only way to cure this symptom is to treat the Hepatitis C infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Dark-Colored Urine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Liver damage affects many of the systems in the body. When the damage to the liver reaches a certain level, it will cause the urine to turn darker in color. Hepatitis C causes the liver to malfunction which prevents it from processing waste efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This lowered efficiency is the cause of darker colored urine. If you notice that your urine has become darker and does not lighten with increased water consumption, Hepatitis C may be the culprit. Dark urine is also a common sign of urinary tract infections and dehydration<\/a>, but these conditions will clear within 24 hours of treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the urine remains dark, it is a sign that it is something more serious such as a hepatitis C infection. Any liver infection including hepatitis C may result in dark urine. A blood test can determine if the cause of dark urine is a hepatitis C infection or something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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