HEART DISORDER SYMPTOMS (Hepatitis C)

<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Liver disorder itself it is diversified, with the number of patients was small. Number of people with hepatitis C only about 3% of the population. Not to mention the hepatitis A and B, which are more numerous. Especially when coupled with fatty liver, cirrhosis, drug intoxication, liver fibrosis, and other diseases that her name not so familiar. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Diseases was generally characterized by an increase in SGOT-SGPT numbers. However, the two enzymes was not 100% produced by the liver. A small portion is also produced by muscle cells, heart, pancreas, and kidneys. That is why, when muscle cells are damaged, the two levels of this enzyme increases. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Damage to the muscle cells can be caused by many things, such as strenuous physical activity, injury, trauma, or even scrapings. When we got the intramuscular injection (injection via the muscle tissue), muscle cells can have a bit of damage and increase the levels of transaminase enzymes. In short, there are many factors that can cause an increase in SGOT-SGPT. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Compared with SGOT, SGPT is more specific liver cells showed irregularities, because only a small SGPT produced by cells nonliver. Typically, factors not nonliver SGOT-SGPT increase drastically. Generally, less than 100% <i>exceeded the upper limit of normal (BAN).</i> For example, if BAN alanine aminotransferase levels were 65 units / liter (U / l), the increase was due to play football usually doubled. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> If levels exceed twice, the sign began red light to watch. Do not be "hurt" if doctors suspect we suffer heartache. BAN itself can vary between laboratories. If ever a blood test in two different labs, and beyond the upper limit of normal (BAN) are different, you do not have to wonder. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> "The upper limit of normal depending on the reagents and equipment used. In certain hospitals, BAN can SGPT levels 40 u / l, but in other clinics may 65 u / l. It's just a matter of technical inspection. That's why, we can not express the level of SGOT-SGPT of absolute numbers, but of the relative value (compared to surpass the upper limit of normal "BAN"). </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> SGOT-SGPT are two transaminase enzymes are produced mainly by the liver cells. When liver cells are damaged, for example in the case of hepatitis or cirrhosis, usually two levels of this enzyme increases. Hence, by the results of laboratory tests, both considered to illustrate a disturbance in the heart. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SGOT-SGPT were slightly above normal does not necessarily indicate someone is sick. It could have happened is not due to an increase in liver disorders. "If we play ball after a blood test or scrapings, SGOT-SGPT very likely we will go up," said dr. Rino A. Gani, Sp.PD-KGEH, hepatolog Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta. <br /> SGOT-SGPT levels are also easy up and down. Maybe when examined, the levels are high. But after that, he was back to normal. In others, may now be examined, the levels were normal, but usually it high. Therefore, a single examination alone can not be used as actual argument to make conclusions.</span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> <b>Planned suicide</b></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As with other organs, the liver has a defense mechanism. When attacked by a virus, he tried to resist. If defeated, he had two choices: fight to the death or suicide. On hepatitis A and B, the liver took the first option, to fight to the death. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Once the liver cells die, the walls collapsed and eventually liver becomes inflamed. This condition causes increased SGOT-SGPT levels in the blood. Because the levels are elevated, doctors diagnose more easily. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But in hepatitis C, more complex affairs. Not all liver cells still responded to defeat by fighting to the death. Others in a planned suicide. In medical terms it is called apotosis (programmed cell death). Suicide event is not without purpose. With suicide, liver cells try to "kill" the virus indirectly. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> One of the weaknesses of the virus, which does not have its own mechanism in the breed. They are bred by utilizing the mechanism of living cells of other living creatures. In the case of hepatitis, carrying cells are liver cells. With suicide, trying to make viral liver cells can not proliferate. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From suicide, liver cells do not rupture, but shrinking. What followed instead of the inflammatory process, but shrinking. Because the liver is not inflamed, ALT levels were not affected. That's what causes people with hepatitis C may have normal ALT levels, even though he has suffered a chronic illness. It's also what makes the doctor must repeatedly adjusted his glasses, because the diagnosis is difficult. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> <b>Need another test</b> </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SGOT-SGPT only describes the level of damage to the liver cells. Both of the other enzymes can not describe the level of ability of liver cells to regenerate themselves. Under normal conditions, the body's cells have the ability to regenerate. If defective, they will replace it with new cells. Regeneration ability is what will offset cell damage. Things that are not reflected in the results of tests SGOT-SGPT. It could be someone SGOT-SGPT increased to above normal, but the liver was not actually in a state hospital, because the cells that have died immediately replaced by new cells. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Although SGOT-SGPT increase could be due to many factors, increasing both should remain wary. Throughout still have two eyes, we can not look at him with one eye. Although only slightly above normal too, the cause must be traced, to be sure there is no disease that attacks. Levels above the normal so we should suspect the sign of a disturbance in the heart. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On hepatitis C, if the SGPT to exceed twice the upper limit of normal (BAN), the hepatolog agreed to take therapeutic action. For the case of normal ALT levels or slightly above BAN, differences of sect. The first approach requires immediate treatment. The second school of thought, the patient should be closely monitored before treatment. <br /> During the monitoring period, patients should be 4-5 times to go to the lab to undergo liver function tests every 1-2 months. Liver function tests here is not just a test SGOT and SGPT. There are many other components of blood chemistry that needs to be checked. To be sure, doctors need to do a biopsy. A small segment of the liver tissue samples taken for examination by microscope. If the results of the examination showed normal values, patients may be a little relieved. He just needs to control for another year. However, if the circuit examination showed the patient had been hurt, he should be encouraged to undergo therapy. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause liver damage. HCV infection is spread primarily by direct contact of blood-to-blood. Most people infected with hepatitis C through injecting drug use with shared needles interchangeably. Up to 90% of people who ever injected drugs, even once, was infected with HCV. Some people are also infected with HCV through unprotected sex. This risk is especially high for men who have sex with men, people with other sexually transmitted infections, people with multiple sex partners, and those who perform a sexual activity that causes bleeding, for example, put your hand on the anal (fisting). HCV can also be transmitted by tattooing equipment. Some people are also infected in health facilities, through inadvertently punctured with needles or other instruments that are not sterile. HCV can also be transmitted through blood transfusion, although blood donors in Indonesia screened for HCV. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Hepatitis C treatment as early as possible is very important. Although your body has to fight against infection, but only 15% were successful, the treatment is still needed to prevent chronic hepatitis C and helps reduce the possibility of a broken heart. <br /> Sometimes, the treatment of hepatitis C requires a long time, and can not help. But because the disease can become severe over time, it is important to seek the right treatment from your doctor. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Early diagnosis and treatment is urgent and important. A significant percentage of people who do it can recover from Hepatitis C and showed his improvement. Goal of treatment is to eliminate the Hepatitis C virus from your body as early as possible to prevent the development of worsening and end stage liver disease. <br /> Course of the disease is indeed impressive sinister disease. But according to doctors Superior Budihusodo, SpPD, of subsection Hepatology, University of Indonesia Faculty of Medicine, patients with hepatitis C can be cured if diagnosed and treated early. Moreover, the development of hepatitis to cirrhosis or liver cancer may take a dozen to tens of years. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"When patients infected with hepatitis C virus was detected at a young age and get immediate treatment, the chance of recovery is quite large, up to 80 percent," said Dr. Excellence in Hepatitis C Issues seminar in Indonesia, which was held in Jakarta some time ago. <br /> Leading doctors say, there are several factors that influence the success of drug therapies, namely the type of virus, the amount of virus in the body, the patient's age, condition of liver disease, when therapy is initiated, as well as patient compliance in therapy. "Patients who are younger generally greater chances of recovery," he said. In addition, patients infected with hepatitis C virus type 2 and type 3 were successfully cured many. "Unfortunately, the type of virus that many in our country are type 1 is more stubborn," he said. To determine the genotype of the virus, patients are required to do blood tests. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This virus genotype will determine the course of treatment that should be done. Patients with hepatitis C virus type 2 and 3 only require treatment for 6 months. Whereas patients with type 1 virus must take medication for 12 months. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Liver disease experts today recommend combination therapy of interferon and an antiviral drug called ribavirin as the best choice of drugs for hepatitis C. This drug is injected once a week for several months depending on the genotype of the virus. Most forms of <b>Interferon Alfa</b> could only last one day but can be modified through Pegylation process to make it last longer. Although interferon alfa can be used as a single drug, including hepatitis C <b>pegylated interferon,</b> showed more effective when combined with anti-viral ribavirin. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> 3 (three) compounds used in the treatment of Hepatitis C are:</span></span></div> <ol style="text-align: justify;"> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Alfa interferon</b></span> is a protein made ​​naturally by the human body to boost the immune system / immunity and regulate the function of other cells. Recommended drugs for chronic hepatitis C is of interferon Alfa can be in the form of natural or synthetic. </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pegylated Interferon Alfa</b></span>, made ​​by combining water-soluble molecules called "Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)" with interferon alpha molecule. This modification of interferon alpha longer exist in the body, and studies have shown more effective in making a response to the virus survive from chronic hepatitis C patients compared to interferon alfa usual.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ribavirin</b></span> is an antiviral medicine that is used with interferon alfa for chronic hepatitis C treatment. Ribavirin alone is not effective when used against the Hepatitis C virus, but with a combination of interferon alfa, is more effective than interferon alfa alone.</span></span></li> </ol> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This treatment has been accepted by the ability to generate a response against the virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C disease. Patient is said to have a response against the virus if the number of Hepatitis C virus is so low that it was undetectable in standard tests Hepatitis C virus RNA and if the level remains undetectable for more than 6 months after treatment is completed. </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Source: </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">http://kesehatan.kompas.com/read/2009/10/23/11194643/</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">http://medicastore.com/hepatitis_c/pengobatan_hepatitis_c.htm</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">http://spiritia.or.id/li/bacali.php?lino=506</span></span></span></div>

By  Deden Sura Agung Liver disorder itself it is diversified, with the number of patients was small. Number of people with hepatitis C...

KNOWING HEPATITIS C

<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The liver is one of a number of the most important organs in the human body has about 500 functions vital to the sustainability of the process of metabolism. It is therefore unlikely that a man can maintain his health without the presence of liver. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some of the functions include: </span></div> <ol start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Changing toxins, residues of drugs, alcohol and harmful substances produced by the body into elements that can be received by other organs to be removed through the kidneys and intestines. Many types of drugs should be digested in the liver before it works perfectly. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Red blood cells break down old and changed hemoglobin (the substance that carries oxygen in red blood cells) into bile, and then channeled into the gallbladder for later purposes. If required, this bile is excreted into the intestine to help absorb vitamins and lipid emulsion is needed from food consumption. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Produce, store and distribute glucose to all parts of the body. Besides also oversees cholesterol levels in the blood, process and produce as many as needed. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Process the protein, as required to produce high levels of blood viscosity, to send nutrients to other organs and partly serves to produce immunity on infection. </span></li> </ol> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other functions are: </span></div> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Processing carbohydrates, fats, protein and alcohol </span></li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Digest and produce bilirubin (from red blood cells), cholesterol, hormones and medications. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C is a type of virus that attacks the liver. When these viruses multiply, the virus kills liver cells and provoke the immune system to fight back. This reaction can be fatal attack on the liver as inflammation and / or scarring / fibrosis of the liver. If this continues to be allowed to happen without treatment can result in the occurrence of serious liver damage such as cirrhosis (hardening of the liver due to scarring) or liver cancer. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Most people who are infected with hepatitis C virus progress to chronic hepatitis C. The infection becomes chronic (chronic) because the immune system is no longer able to fight this virus. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You might think these conditions will make you increasingly feel the pain over time. But keep in mind, for most people, hepatitis C are asymptomatic, which means they do not feel any symptoms for years after infection with hepatitis C. No one can be sure whether these symptoms will occur at a later time. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do not feel the symptoms of hepatitis C virus does not mean not being damaging your liver. The virus can linger in your body without giving a definite symptom. In fact, many people who do not feel the symptoms until severe liver damage occur. That is why it is very important to test and consult with your doctor about the treatment of hepatitis C. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV = hepatitis C virus). Hepatitis C virus entry into liver cells, using the genetic machinery of the cell to duplicate the Hepatitis C virus, and infect many other cells. 15% of cases of Hepatitis C infection is acute, meaning that the body automatically clean and there are no consequences. Unfortunately 85% of cases, hepatitis C infection becomes chronic and slowly damages the liver for years. In that time, the liver can be broken into <b>cirrhosis</b> <i>(hardening of the liver),</i> end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Diagnosis of Hepatitis C</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Early diagnosis is through a simple blood test to detect the presence of Hepatitis C virus or the amount of virus present in the body tissues. If a virus is detected in your body this means you have Hepatitis C. Then the doctor will check the health of your heart. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The most common way used to examine or liver problems is through a liver function test, a blood test that checks the chemicals in the body that is produced by the liver to perform its functions work: </span></div> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - an enzyme which, when under normal circumstances inside the liver cells and in the blood. When liver cells damaged, these enzymes leak into the bloodstream, causing levels of ALT (SGPT) increased. Test ALT (SGPT) is only done once can not necessarily indicate how severe the destruction that has occurred and often people with chronic hepatitis C have levels of ALT (SGPT) normal. Other liver enzymes are usually measured through blood tests are AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase / Alanine Aminotransferase), GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase), and alkaline phosphatase.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bilirubin</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - a yellow pigment that is channeled into the heart when the red blood cells burst. If the liver is not working properly then the levels of bilirubin in the blood will rise.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Albumin -</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> a protein that is produced by the liver. Albumin may reflect a decrease in the number of poor liver function.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prothrombin time</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - When it is damaged, the liver will fail to produce blood clotting substances in sufficient quantities. This test measures the clotting ability of blood. On impaired liver function Prothrombin Time (PT) compounds.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Complete blood count -</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> complete blood count can help detect common conditions / whole liver. </span></li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If necessary your doctor may also perform a liver biopsy is a procedure that is done by taking a small piece of liver tissue using a biopsy needle, which is then analyzed under a microscope by a pathologist. Liver biopsy is usually recommended for diagnosis of heart abnormalities or to determine the severity of liver abnormalities. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> <b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Transmission of Hepatitis C</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C virus is a virus contained in the blood, meaning the virus is spread / transmitted through blood and blood products. Mode of transmission generally include: </span></div> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Needle puncture wound in health circles. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blood transfusion before mid 1992 (after the 1992, blood banks began screening strictly for Hepatitis C by applying an effective way of checking).</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Injecting drug use (eg, use of the same syringe alternately). </span></li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other modes of transmission include: </span></div> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acupuncture and piercings on the body with needles that are not sterilized or cleaned as appropriate.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tattoos using a needle that is not sterilized or contaminated ink.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use of personal care items alternately (eg. razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers) and household appliances that have been exposed to blood.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cocaine use suction by using a straw or other similar device alternately between users. Use a straw to suck cocaine can lead to blood contact through cuts or scratches on the nose. </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sexual activity that causes bleeding or blood contact between an infected partner and are not infected (eg. through an open wound). </span></li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C virus is not transmitted through casual contact such as hugging, sneezing, coughing or sitting close to people with Hepatitis C. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hepatitis C is rarely transmitted through sexual activity. However, there is a tendency for those who have multiple sexual partners also have a higher risk for hepatitis C virus infection </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One - the only way to protect yourself is to avoid risky sexual behavior, such as sexual intercourse with multiple partners or with a partner that health status is not clear. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although rare, Hepatitis C can also be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. Most research has estimated that the risk of transmission in this way increased by 8%. Breastfeeding has not been found to be associated with the transmission of hepatitis C virus<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you or your partner suffer from Hepatitis C, and you (if you're a wife) or your wife (if you are a husband) is pregnant or you and your partner are planning to have children, you should consult with your doctor about the precautions necessary performed. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A person who is infected with Hepatitis C can infect other people 2 weeks after infection on her. </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By knowing the mode of transmission, then we can try to prevent contracting Hepatitis C.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>

By  Deden Sura Agung The liver is one of a number of the most important organs in the human body has about 500 functions vital to the sus...

Announcing Your Pregnancy

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> When a woman finds out that she is pregnant it becomes difficult to think of something else. This results in the woman being anxious to announce the exciting news with other people specially the partner. There has been a lot of controversy on the best time to make an announcement about pregnancy. While choosing how and when to make an announcement of pregnancy it is necessary to know the advantages and disadvantages of proper timing. Moreover one can choose creative ways to reveal the secret.<br /> <br /> <b>Sharing news early</b><br /> If one shares the news early the main advantage is that there is a lot of support from near and dear ones. One can share ones joy with others. While making decisions a lot of people comes foreword to help the pregnant mother. A lot of time is available for advice and choose the best medical professional. There is overwhelming support in case of miscarriage.<br /> The main disadvantage of breaking the news early is that there may be overwhelming advice. A lot of explanation needs to be done in case of miscarriage. The news of miscarriage may reach friends and other family members before even reaching the mother.<br /> <br /> <b>Announcement decisions</b><br /> It is the decision of the mother to whom else to announce the big news apart from spouse, parents and siblings. One should be careful of whom one tells. Telling ones partner is the first brings a sense of belonging and a bond with the child. After the spouse the other people who should know are the parents. They can help in future planning, offer advice and rejoice like no other person.<br /> <br /> Choosing the way one shares the news matters a lot. It is fun to share the good news in a more creative and memorable way. Arranging for a romantic dinner is the best way to surprise and make the news memorable. Even in case of the delicacies baby food can be served. Another way is to go out for a movie and watch a baby movie like Nine month and Junior. The good news can be written in a piece of paper and inserted in the DVD. A t-shirt with Daddy written can be provided apart from a baby keychain, baby book and other baby items.<br /> <br /> <b>Telling family and friends</b><br /> The good news can be sent in a card with a name chosen and a sonogram. This depends on how close the friends are. Another way of showing is a photograph of the woman and the husband without showing the belly.</div>

By  Deden Sura Agung When a woman finds out that she is pregnant it becomes difficult to think of something else. This results in the woman...

More Women Now Choose Pain Relief During Labor

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">By </span><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Deden Sura Agung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> More women are opting for some type of pain relief during their labor and delivery, according to a study by the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center.<br /> <br /> A survey of 378 hospitals showed that only 6 percent to 12 percent of women did not request pain relief, compared to 11 percent to 33 percent nine years prior.<br /> <br /> Regional analgesia, including epidural, spinal or combined epidural-spinal techniques, accounted for 76 percent of the anesthesia services provided in the larger hospitals and for 57 percent in smaller hospitals.<br /> <br /> There are two types of regional pain-relieving drugs - analgesics and anesthetics. Analgesia - pain relief without total loss of feeling or muscle movement - is typically administered to women in labor. This treatment blocks pain by numbing the nerves around the spinal or epidural space that encases the spinal cord. Anesthesia blocks all feeling and movement.<br /> <br /> In the past, doctors debated the safety of using an epidural during early labor in first-time mothers. But newer research shows that those who are concerned about receiving pain relief during early labor may be able to rest easy.<br /> <br /> Spinal-epidural analgesia during early labor does not increase the cesarean delivery rate in first-time mothers, according to a study by Dr. Cynthia A. Wong, associate professor of anesthesiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.<br /> <br /> This study also found that analgesia via combined spinal-epidural techniques resulted in better pain relief and a shorter labor when compared to pain medications administered by other routes such as intravenous or intramuscular injections.<br /> <br /> "Mothers have come to expect the kind of pain relief provided by regional techniques," said Dr. Brenda Bucklin, associate professor of anesthesiology at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center. "With recent studies showing that having this type of anesthesia early in labor will not increase chances of a cesarean delivery, I think their popularity will continue." </div>

By  Deden Sura Agung More women are opting for some type of pain relief during their labor and delivery, according to a study by the Depart...