How do you get autoimmune hepatitis?
Mar 28, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Haiying
Introduction
Autoimmune hepatitis, also known as autoimmune liver disease, is a chronic progressive liver inflammatory condition mediated by an autoimmune response. It may be caused by factors such as genetic predisposition, bacterial infection, medications, malnutrition, or viral infections. In daily life, it's important to maintain a balanced diet and limit alcohol consumption. Additionally, patients should seek timely medical care at a hospital for standardized treatment to prevent disease progression.
Autoimmune hepatitis, also known as autoimmune liver disease, is a chronic progressive inflammatory liver condition mediated by autoimmune responses. It may be caused by factors such as genetic predisposition, bacterial infection, medications, malnutrition, or viral infections.
1. Genetic Factors
Autoimmune liver disease is considered a polygenic inherited disorder that may lead to abnormal liver cells. When the immune system attacks these cells, the disease may develop. As directed by a physician, hepatoprotective drugs can be used, including glutathione tablets, polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules, and methionine tablets.
2. Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infections may trigger changes in the body's immune response, inducing antibody production and breaking immune tolerance, which leads to liver cell damage and results in autoimmune hepatitis. It is recommended to use antibiotics under medical supervision, such as cefixime tablets, cefetamet pivoxil hydrochloride tablets, and cefdinir tablets, to eliminate the bacteria.
3. Medications
Drugs such as methyldopa tablets, nitrofurantoin enteric-coated tablets, and minocycline hydrochloride capsules may induce the production of autoantibodies, disrupt immune tolerance, and cause nonspecific liver injury that triggers this disease. Discontinuation of the suspected drug is advised. Additionally, medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid capsules, ademetionine butanedisulfonate enteric-coated tablets, and silymarin capsules may be used under medical guidance to prevent further liver damage and slow disease progression.
4. Malnutrition
The immune system requires adequate nutrition to function properly. Malnutrition may impair immune regulation, causing the immune system to mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues, leading to autoimmune hepatitis. A diet rich in high-calorie, high-protein, and low-fat foods—such as meat, eggs, and dairy products—is recommended. Supplements such as multivitamin tablets, multivitamin-multimineral tablets, and calcium gluconate oral solution can also help improve nutrient absorption by providing essential vitamins and trace elements.
5. Viral Infection
Viral infections may disrupt immune system balance, making it overactive or unstable, resulting in abnormal immune responses that attack the body's own tissues. Under medical supervision, antiviral medications such as lamivudine tablets, entecavir tablets, and acyclovir tablets may be used to suppress viral replication, modulate immune responses, protect liver cells, and improve clinical outcomes.
In daily life, maintaining a balanced diet and limiting alcohol intake are important. Moreover, early medical evaluation and standardized treatment under a doctor's care are essential to prevent disease progression.
