What is Autoimmune Hepatitis?

Autoimmune hepatitis is a liver disease where the immune system becomes overactive and abnormally attacks liver cells. This can cause the liver to become inflamed, a condition called hepatitis. Left untreated, autoimmune hepatitis can cause scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis) and eventually liver failure. A person cannot survive without a functioning liver.

Experts are not really sure why autoimmune hepatitis occurs. However, researchers believe that the condition may be linked to abnormalities in genes.

The most common symptom of autoimmune hepatitis is fatigue. Other symptoms may include jaundice (yellowed skin appearance), abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and dark urine.

If detected early, autoimmune disease can be managed with certain medications that suppress the immune system.

Related Posts:
Autoimmune Hepatitis
Hepatitis: When the Liver Becomes Inflamed
Hepatitis Series
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Disease

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Different Types of Stomach Problems

There are different types of stomach problems or diseases. Some can be as mild as indigestion or upset stomach while other stomach problems can be severe and life threatening such as stomach cancer.

What is the stomach? What are the functions of the stomach?

The stomach is a hollow, j-shaped, muscular organ located in the upper part of the abdomen. It connects the esophagus and the duodenum-the first part of the small intestine. The functions of the stomach include the following:

• Stores ingested food. As it fills with food and water, the wall of the stomach can expand.

• Mixes eaten food with stomach secretions until it is emptied into the small intestine, where major breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients occur. The food in the stomach is converted into a soup-like liquid, called chyme.

• Produces stomach acid that helps kill microorganisms. Sometimes called gastric acid, stomach acid helps to activate a certain substance produced by special cells in the wall of the stomach called pepsinogen.

When activated, pepsinogen becomes pepsin, which is a substance that starts digestion of proteins in food such as pork and chicken.

Just like any organ of the body, the stomach can have problems. Some of the common diseases affecting the stomach include the following: (Click on the links below to be directed to the specific conditions affecting the stomach published on our web site.)

Different stomach diseases:

• Bleeding in the Stomach

• Gastritis

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• Gastroparesis

• Heartburn

• Indigestion or Upset stomach

• Peptic Ulcers

• Stomach Cancer

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