Hepatitis and Senior Health Care

Hepatitis is a viral disease that can affect people in three types: A, B and C. The only way to diagnose this disease is a blood test and liver enzymes. Type C is transmitted through contact with infected blood, such as the injection drugs use, receiving blood or blood products infected with the virus, organ transplants, tattoos, traveling to areas where the disease is very common, etc. Transmission of the disease through other body fluids such as saliva or breast milk and sexual contact is also possible. It is acceptable, but it is much less likely.

Hepatitis causes inflammation in the liver, and because the liver is a flexible organ, this may affect the liver later in life. In the past, due to lack of awareness and ways of transmitting, the elderly was more at risk of contracting the disease. The disease can remain asymptomatic in the body for years, and therefore many of them succumb to the disease before starting treatment. The disease can even occur suddenly and a person can have serious liver damage.

As mentioned, hepatitis has three types, which type C is the most common type that can affect the elderly (approximately 40% of people over 60 years), it means that the elderly are five times more likely to develop the disease than others. Older people can become infected without knowing it and therefore can inadvertently pass it on to others.

Hepatitis C can cause chronic liver problems, so treatment is necessary. 75 to 85% of people with hepatitis C, experience a chronic, long-term form. Untreated hepatitis C can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure. But between 15 and 25 percent of people who get the disease get rid of the virus without treatment. Symptoms of hepatitis can be as follows:

• Stomach pain or abdominal distention
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• Jaundice affecting the eyes or the skin
• Dark urine and pale stools
• Breast development in males
• Low fever
• General itching

Considerable studies have been made on the control and treatment of this disease, according to extensive studies conducted by researchers. If the disease is diagnosed in the elderly, in addition to starting drug therapy, special attention should be paid to a healthy diet, adequate physical activity to control body weight and prevent fat and alcohol consumption. Due to the fact that permanent care for the elderly with hepatitis is a hard and responsible job, the use of health care applications such as “TangelaCare” can provide them with daily care services such as medication, exercise, requesting help and services, and Etc.