Michael Bovee
Autoimmune Hepatitis (AHL) is an inflammatory disorder of the hepatic system of uncertain etiology identified around the 1930s and previously named chronic active hepatitis or chronic hepatitis, which is a systemic disease involving the liver. It is caused by chronic activation of the immune system, often without the knowledge of one's body.
It occurs due to the activation of inflammatory cells and the cells produce substances that cause damage to the body
The most common symptoms of autoimmunity are an increased level of antibody titer to bile acids and a reduction in the production of bile acids (eg, cholecystitis), increased transaminases, and high ct antigen levels.
Autoimmune Hepatitis can result in liver damage, blood in urine, jaundice, and polycystic kidney disease. The damage in the liver may be due to chronic inflammation or to acute inflammatory reaction. Patients with autoimmunity are generally healthy and do not suffer from liver disease; however, they still develop complications and other diseases.
To diagnose autoimmune hepatitis, doctors use laboratory tests to evaluate for a positive response against the antibodies of anti-hepatoma. These include antibody titers to human leukocyte antigens (HLA), pro-hepatoprotein antibody titers, and the enzyme immunoassay test. These tests are done with samples taken from the patient's blood.
There are cases of autoimmune hepatitis, where patients do not show the above mentioned laboratory tests but still show the signs and symptoms of liver damage. In these cases, doctors rely on clinical symptoms and the patient's history.
Autoimmunity is usually caused by infection to the body. Some infections can cause the production of antibodies for specific autoimmune diseases; for instance, hepatitis B is caused by the body's immune response to an infection with the hepatitis B virus. Other infections can activate anti-receptors in the body that may react with the proteins secreted by the body's own immune system. Such antibodies can then bind to the body's own tissue and damage it, resulting in symptoms.
Autoimmunity can also be triggered by medications. Antibiotics, chemotherapy, steroids, and HIV drugs can all activate the body's immune response. Anti-HBV drugs are used to treat this condition as well as steroids and aspirin, both of which are also used for pain relief and to decrease swelling.
Other possible triggers of autoimmune hepatitis include use, immunosuppressive medications, immune suppressants such as steroids, immune depleting diseases such as cancer, and HIV and AIDS. The triggers can also vary from person to person, but most commonly it is caused by exposure to substances that affect the immune system, such as HIV, antibiotics, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, organ transplantation, and immunosuppressive medications.
The body's immune system can be overactive or under active in autoimmune hepatitis
If the body's immune system is under active, the body may react by producing too much of certain antibodies, such as the ones produced by the immune system in response to an infection with the hepatitis B virus.
When the immune response is overactive, the body may produce too much of the antibodies to fight off foreign substances, which can result in inflammation, infection and scarring. If the immune system is under active, the body may produce too little of the antibodies to fight off infection and scarring.
Chronic hepatitis is very common in individuals who have chronic illnesses. Because hepatitis is caused by inflammation, the immune system cannot keep up with it so it attacks itself and creates a problem.
Because the immune system's response is to attack the liver, most autoimmune conditions respond to treatment by destroying the liver and decreasing its function. If left untreated, the body can become chronic. Antibiotics and steroids may be given to slow the activity of the immune system, which is then replaced by other organs, until the ailment has been eliminated.
It is important to remember that autoimmune hepatitis does not have to be a lifelong condition. If you have been diagnosed with it, there are ways to cure it. If you are taking immunosuppressive medications such as chemotherapy or steroid, it may take two or three weeks to return to normal. You can also take vitamin E supplements and eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and flaxseed oil to increase the body's production of anti-inflammatory substances.