Why are people with hepatitis prone to hypertension? & bull; hello healthy

Hepatitis and hypertension are two health conditions that are quite common in Indonesians. But did you know that even though these two diseases attack different parts of the body with different symptoms, it turns out that hepatitis and hypertension can be related to one another? Here's the explanation.

Overview of hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory infection of the liver. There are many causes of hepatitis. Hepatitis commonly caused by viruses is divided into 5 groups, from A to E. Viral hepatitis spreads due to exposure to blood or other infected body fluids, such as semen and vaginal fluids. Poor hygiene and sanitation, as well as HIV infection can also increase the risk of developing viral hepatitis. Apart from viruses, hepatitis can also be caused by drugs that damage the liver, alcohol, and autoimmunity.

The most common symptoms and signs of hepatitis include fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, abdominal discomfort due to liver pain, cloudy yellow urine, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, and weight loss.

If hepatitis is not treated, it will develop chronic over time. Usually hepatitis is called chronic when it lasts more than 6 months. If it continues, hepatitis can even lead to fibrosis or cirrhosis of the liver.

Overview of hypertension

Systemic hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when the blood pressure throughout the body rises, the systole is up to 140 and the diastole is 90 and above. This hypertension can be divided into two types, namely primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension is an increase in blood pressure with no known cause, while secondary hypertension is hypertension caused by other diseases.

How are hepatitis and hypertension related?

Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis or what is known as liver fibrosis. Cirrhosis occurs when the hardened liver tissue causes the liver to not function properly. If the cirrhosis is already severe, the liver will completely malfunction and can lead to portal hypertension.

Portal hypertension occurs when blood can no longer flow properly in the liver area and there is more pressure on the portal vein directly to this organ. Common causes of portal hypertension are hepatitis B and C. This is what connects hepatitis and hypertension.

The condition of portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis of the liver is different from hypertension in general. The condition of portal hypertension is an increase in blood vessel pressure in the portal area, making people with cirrhosis of the liver have a history of vomiting blood, black stool, or swollen feet. Meanwhile, hypertension, which is often mentioned in general, is a condition in which blood pressure throughout the body has increased from normal values.

If high blood pressure is well controlled, hepatitis can be prevented

Hypertension (systemic hypertension) that is controlled has been shown to slow the progression of hepatitis. A study conducted by Parrilli et al. In Italy on 95 chronic hepatitis patients associated with their hypertension. Patients with controlled hypertension were more likely to develop hepatitis at an older age than those whose blood pressure was not controlled.

Another study using a retrospective cohort study method for 2 to 20 years that studied 254 patients even managed to prove significantly that controlled blood pressure will slow the progression of hepatitis experienced.

What if I have hepatitis and hypertension at the same time?

If you get hepatitis and hypertension at the same time, then you need to be careful. As explained above, the liver plays an important function. Basically, hepatitis can be cured with strict treatment, so you can avoid all its complications, including cirrhosis of the liver. If at the same time you are experiencing hypertension, consult a doctor immediately. Take good care of your diet and physical activity so you can control your blood pressure.