With outbreaks of several strands on the rise, it may be time to brush up on the causes of, vaccinations, and cures for hepatitis.
Weighing in at over 3 pounds, your liver is one of the largest organs you have. It’s also one of the busiest.
For instance, it’s your liver that converts the nutrients in foods you eat into substances your body can use. It helps produce the proteins that help your blood clot. And thanks to your liver, your body can produce up to 1,000 ml — over 4 cups — of bile each day. This yellow-green digestive liquid breaks down and helps your body absorb fats.
Long story short, a liver that works well is vital to your health, and one of the biggest threats to it is an inflammatory condition known as hepatitis.
If that rings a bell, it’s because hepatitis A has been in the news a lot recently. From California to Tennessee, outbreaks are on the rise in the United States and around the globe. (One Australian woman recently died from it after eating recalled pomegranate seeds.)
With that in mind, it’s probably (past) time to educate yourself about all the strains of hepatitis, the best ways to prevent infection, and the treatments for each that are available today.
