Currently there is no cure for Hepatitis C. Therefore, quality of life is the focus.
Some significant symptoms reported by people with hepatitis C include:
Flu-like illness, alternate chills and fever, Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pains, night sweats, depression, mood swings, SAD, Sudden fatigue/attacks of exhaustion, abdominal bloating, diarrhoea, itchy skin, mental fatigue, recurrent headache, brain fog, chest and muscle pains, blood sugar disorders, unrestorative sleep, irregular periods, severe PMT, lowered libido Some of the most significant problems:- Fatigue physical and intellectual
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Severe aches and pains, muscle spasm
- Problems of mood
- Fatigue may have several patterns in a person’s life:
- Tiredness in the morning, all day long, after meals
- Energy drops usually sudden/ ‘Blood sugar’ problems -
- Sleep problems
- Tired by day/Restless by night
- Mental fuzziness/concentration problems/cotton wool in head
Aches and Pains that may trouble Hepatitis C patients:
- Often similar to fibromyalgia
- Muscle pain
- Joint pains
- Stabbing pains in liver area
- Often accompanied by tiredness
Other Problems that may trouble Hepatitis C patients :
Recurrent flu-like illnesses
Depression, mood swings, Seasonal Affective Disorder
Chest pains, palpitations
Mental fatigue, ‘cotton wool’ in head
Headaches - frequent or persistent
Fluid retention, puffy face
Itchy skin
Problems specific to Female Patients with Hepatitis C :
Libido problems
Irregular periods
Severe Pre Menstrual Tension
Extra difficulties during menopause Hepatitis C is not just about the liver
Hepatitis C is a multi-system disorder and everything needs to be assessed at history Digestive processes
Endocrine system / Hormone balance
Nutritional Status
Food Intolerances
Mood and ability to enjoy life
Anger, attitudes, life situation
Any other infections that may be causing problems
How I treat Hepatitis C patients.
In essence my approach to Hepatitis C is a patient-problem centred and not a disease-centred approach. What I do is assess the whole patient and take a very broad brush approach which will usually involve nutritional / digestive assessment, nutritional medicine, acupuncture and homoeopathy. I would stress that I am not a magician!!!!!
A word to the wise:
It is important, in all circumstances, to be guided by your GP and you liver specialist. My experience is that an integrative approach is frequently a great help in improving quality of life and well-being - especially in terms of managing the nuisance symptoms such as tiredness, irritable bowel problems, food reactions, muscle spasm. Because I am also a medical doctor and worked for many years as a GP I feel it is important (with the patient’s permission, of course) to let the patient’s GP know that I am assisting in their care as long as the patient is comfortable with this. I am also happy to be contacted by a patient’s GP. Lastly: Anyone who tells you that there is some ‘magical’ cure for Hepatitis C is either not well-informed or untruthful!