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Kidney Problems & Hepatitis C

Hepatitis is a condition of inflammation of the liver, and Hepatitis C is one of six types of hepatitis viruses. In some instances, there is a correlation between kidney problems and hepatitis C.

  1. The Liver and Kidneys

    • The liver and kidneys have the primary responsibility of filtering waste and toxic substances from the body and bloodstream. Both organs play a vital, hand-in-hand role in processing nutrients, eliminating waste, and regulating the blood, making them crucial to overall health.

    Types of Organ Damage

    • Organ damage of the kidneys and liver is either acute (short-term, days to weeks) or chronic (long-term, years). The type of Hepatitis C that leads to kidney problems is chronic, when the liver suffers permanent damage and cannot perform its functions properly.

    Hepatitis C's Effect on Kidneys

    • The liver of a hepatitis C patient is unable to adequately break down essential proteins that are carried through the blood to the kidneys to be eliminated. If the kidneys are unable to eliminate the normal amount of these proteins, the impairment affects the overall functionality of the kidneys as a problematic result.

    Cirrhosis and Alcoholism

    • Cirrhosis is a severe liver condition characterized by permanent replacement of liver tissue with scar tissue. Strongly associated with alcoholism, cirrhosis is a high risk for chronic Hepatitis C patients, and the American Liver Foundation cites kidney failure as a serious consequence of this alcohol-induced liver disease.

    Diagnosis

    • Kidney function tests measure enzyme elevations to detect and trace the cause of kidney impairments and kidney disease. The American Liver Foundation cites hepatitis C as a common cause of elevated enzyme levels in kidney function tests, and doctors conduct further tests to specify cause, assess damage and begin treatment.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for hepatitis C and kidney problems varies greatly, depending on the individual's condition. Alcohol intake is strongly discouraged for hepatitis C patients, especially because the risk of cirrhosis and consequential kidney failure could be fatal.

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