AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Autoimmune hepatitis refers to a chronic inflammatory liver disease characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy liver cells, leading to liver inflammation and damage. This condition is categorized as an autoimmune disease because it occurs when the body's immune system, which is designed to fight off harmful substances like bacteria and viruses, mistakenly identifies the liver tissue as foreign and starts to attack it. The exact cause of autoimmune hepatitis is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors.
The symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis can vary from mild to severe and may include fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, weight loss, and joint pain. Left untreated, the disease can lead to serious complications, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver failure.
Diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis involves blood tests to measure liver enzymes, antibodies, and other markers of liver function. Additionally, a liver biopsy may be performed to assess the degree of liver damage and confirm the presence of characteristic features of the condition.
Treatment for autoimmune hepatitis typically involves medications to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation in the liver. These medications, known as immunosuppressants, are intended to prevent ongoing liver damage and slow down the progression of the disease. In some cases, a liver transplant may be necessary if the liver is severely damaged or if the disease does not respond to medication. Regular monitoring, including blood tests and liver function tests, is essential in managing autoimmune hepatitis.
Common Misspellings for AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS
- zutoimmune hepatitis
- sutoimmune hepatitis
- wutoimmune hepatitis
- qutoimmune hepatitis
- aytoimmune hepatitis
- ahtoimmune hepatitis
- ajtoimmune hepatitis
- aitoimmune hepatitis
- a8toimmune hepatitis
- a7toimmune hepatitis
- auroimmune hepatitis
- aufoimmune hepatitis
- augoimmune hepatitis
- auyoimmune hepatitis
- au6oimmune hepatitis
- au5oimmune hepatitis
- autiimmune hepatitis
- autkimmune hepatitis
- autlimmune hepatitis
- autpimmune hepatitis
Etymology of AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS
The word "autoimmune" in autoimmune hepatitis is derived from the Greek words "auto" meaning self, and "immunis" meaning exemption or immunity. "Hepatitis" comes from the Greek words "hepar" meaning liver and "itis" meaning inflammation. Thus, "autoimmune hepatitis" can be understood as a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own liver, leading to inflammation of the liver.
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