Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver or liver, categorized as an infectious disease which is a public health problem in the world, including Indonesia.

Hepatitis can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases. However, the most common cause is a viral infection.

Besides being caused by viruses, hepatitis can also be caused by several things, as follows:

1. Excessive alcohol consumption causes inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and causes permanent damage to liver cells, so that liver function will be disrupted. If left unchecked, this condition can develop into liver failure and cirrhosis.

2. The use of certain drugs that exceed the dose and exposure to toxins can also cause inflammation of the liver. This condition is called toxic hepatitis.

3. Autoimmune hepatitis, caused by the body's immune system mistakenly attacking liver cells, causing inflammation and cell damage.

In general, at the beginning of hepatitis infection, sufferers usually do not feel any symptoms, and new symptoms begin to appear when liver damage and impaired function have occurred.

Here are some common symptoms that can occur in people with hepatitis:

• Nauseous

• Vomit

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Pale stools

• Dark colored urine

• Abdominal pain

• Joint pain

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Yellow eyes and skin (jaundice).

In patients with hepatitis if not handled optimally it will cause complications such as liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Basically, the immune system functions to protect the body from attacks by harmful microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria. Under normal conditions, this system cannot be triggered by the body's own cells.

Meanwhile, autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system cannot distinguish between foreign cells and normal body cells, causing the body to attack its own normal cells.

Autoimmune diseases are not contagious, but are chronic and can attack various organs, one of which is the liver with the name autoimmune hepatitis.

There are two types of autoimmune hepatitis:

Autoimmune hepatitis type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis is the most common, can occur at any age, but generally appears in adolescence. Half of patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis also have another autoimmune problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease or another autoimmune disease.

Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis is rare. This disease is more common in young children, but can also occur in adults. People who have type 2 autoimmune hepatitis can also have other autoimmune disorders.

As for the cause itself, the cause is still unknown. It's possible that genetic conditions make certain individuals more susceptible to developing autoimmune diseases. As a result, these individuals are more at risk of developing autoimmune hepatitis. Environmental factors, such as bacteria, viruses, toxic substances and drugs may also trigger autoimmune problems to cause hepatitis. About 70 percent of autoimmune hepatitis patients are women.

Lifestyle changes as well as some of the things below can help Friends of PRAMITA overcome autoimmune hepatitis.

• Doctor's control according to a schedule that has been set regularly so that the doctor can follow the development of symptoms and health conditions of Sahabat PRAMITA.

• Take medication as directed by the doctor. Do not take drugs without the doctor's approval or stop taking prescribed drugs.

• Avoid consuming alcohol because alcoholic beverages can damage the liver.

• Adopt a healthy diet and start exercising.

Patients with autoimmune hepatitis require medical treatment, because the inflammation that occurs can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and even liver failure (a condition when the liver is so badly damaged that it cannot function as it should).

Author: dr. Elly Widiatmaningrum (Consultant Medical Doctor for PRAMITA Clinical Laboratory Jl. D.I. Panjaitan No. 7-7A, Semarang)