Hepatitis

Overview

Hepatitis means an inflammation of the liver. Inflammation causes painful, red swelling and occurs when tissues become injured or infected. The inflammation can cause organs to not function properly.

There are different kinds of hepatitis.

Hepatitis A usually gets better within a few weeks without treatment. Usually, getting lots of rest and avoiding alcohol will be sufficient, but if symptoms persist you should see a doctor.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are usually not treated unless they become chronic. If chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C causes liver failure, a liver transplant may become necessary.

Applicable Procedures

Liver Biopsy

What are the different types of hepatitis?

Hepatitis A is contagious and is caused by a viral infection. It typically results in a mild illness lasting a few weeks, but some cases may be severe and persist for months. People contract hepatitis A by coming consuming a food or beverage contaminated by an infected person’s fecal matter. Hepatitis B is also a viral infection, and it can be mild or chronic. Chronic cases can lead to liver cancer or liver failure and be life-threatening. The hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with blood, body fluid, or open sores from someone with the virus. Finally, hepatitis C is also caused by a virus, and it can lead to serious liver damage. Most people who contract hepatitis C, which also spreads through blood or body fluids, experience a chronic infection, which leads to complications like liver cancer and cirrhosis if not treated.

How can a person prevent hepatitis?

You can prevent hepatitis A and B through vaccination, but there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. You can avoid catching this virus by refraining from sharing needles with others or from having unprotected sex. Practicing safe sex, wearing gloves when cleaning up after others, and avoiding sharing chewing gum with others are also protective measures for hepetatis B. Additional preventive measures for hepatitis A include washing your hands and avoiding raw food or tap water if you travel to a place with poor sanitation.

How is hepatitis treated?

There is no medication or formal treatment for hepatitis A, but your doctor may monitor your liver health to ensure that you are healing. While you are sick, it is important to rest and avoid alcohol. For hepatitis B, it is important to get treated as soon as possible after exposure, so a doctor can administer a vaccination and a hepatitis B immune globulin shot to help your body fight the infection. Your infection may go away, but if it becomes chronic, you may have to take medications to treat it. There is no treatment for acute cases of hepatitis C, but if it becomes chronic, there are also medications available to treat it. Medication is usually successful at treating hepatitis C, but if it is not, you may need a liver transplant.

Common Symptoms

“I felt extremely tired, and I had no appetite. I also began experiencing nausea and muscle pain without warning, and several days later, I had itchy skin and dark-colored urine. I had hepatitis A.”
“When I had hepatitis B, I had stomach and joint pain, and I had fatigue that lasted for months. I had no appetite, and my skin started to look yellow.”
“I started to experience dark urine, yellowing of the skin, and clay-colored poop, and I noticed that I felt tired all the time and had pretty severe stomach pain and nausea. My doctor told me I had hepatitis C.”

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Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

Based on 6267 reviews

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peggy W.

Staff is wonderful, made me feel comfortable, and answered all my questions. Quick and painless!

Cathleen M.

Staff very friendly and pleasant, great at introducing themselves, smiling and making you feel comfortable. I would suggest that it becomes a requirement or is strongly encouraged that someone be with the patient when the physician comes to speak with them regarding results post procedure, after anesthesia the patient will not remember this physician visit, which is expected.

David S.

The staff was friendly and caring. I felt comfortable right away! Dr. Willy seemed to have a terrific bedside manner!

Leslie S.

I was very happy being able to do a review on the phone. I was not having any difficulties so a phone review worked quite well.

Phil P.

On and out Staff was great and friendly

Paul M.

From the receptionist to leaving the office, everyone was very nice and extremely professional.

Mary Anne C.

Everyone there was extremely comforting, professional and kind, and it was a relief to know I was in GREAT hands. A big Thank You to the staff!!!

Barbara L.

My husband saw a physician assistant, Jennifer, who was enormously helpful and understanding. Some of the issues we were having, she referred to Patricia Brown, who phoned us almost as soon as we got home. As my husband said, “they are really on top of their game.”

Dan C.

The staff was very polite, efficient and caring. Dr. Donat was kind and attentive. I am very pleased with how the procedure went!

Mitchell P.

Dr Wille and staff is very professional and caring!

D S.

Great staff. Smooth running professional operation.

Irma D.

Great office staff very helpful

Mark S.

The home prep for the procedure I had lis unpleasant, but that is not the fault of Dr. Weber and his awesome team. From check in to checkout, they are all very organized, timely, have great bedside manners and are awesome communicators. The facility was modern and very clean. I felt well taken care by a staff that really cares. Thanks!

Richard H.

Superb!

Jim W.

When i first met Dr Tocco, I was surprised at how young he appears (probably because I am 64) but was reminded of that by my wife. I immediately felt at ease with him. he is easy to talk to and will answer questions in a conversation instead of a clinical sounding way. the staff is very warm and helpful.

Mike M.

Everything was explained and efficient. Everything went smoothly.

AL S.

Super Doctor, Dr. Willie, listens and offers good advice. Friendly office attitude.

martha E.

Polite, accurate.

Mike R.

Dr. Boloanga and staff : A+++

Ken B.

The administration, nurses, and Dr Wille were excellent. Very patient oriented, informative, helpful, and friendly! A great experience!

Jona H.

I recently had a procedure done by Dr. Bakken and from start to finish my experience was amazing. To begin, Dr. Bakken has been the first doctor to make me feel heard and that I have someone advocating for my gut health. When I arrived for the procedure, every single person I interacted with was so kind and helpful. Once I was checked in and called back into the room, they did a great job getting me prepped for my procedure. Everyone I interacted with told me their name and what they were doing. I recommend this facility for anyone who is dealing with any type of gut health. I have celiac disease and IBS, and Dr. Bakken is doing everything she can to support me as I navigate this.

Dianna P.

Very professional. Also very personable.

Jessica

Office staff is very helpful and kind.

email S.

Great staff. My colitis is much better.

Shahid B.

I have been a patient since 2011. My experience has always been positive at all stages. All the staff were extremely courteous and professional. Dr Nandi is a dignified professional. I am very fortunate to have him as my doctor.

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

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Tina R.

Nurses and staff are very nice and efficient. Facilities are wonderful. The procedure was fast and no problems at all. Thank you

Becky R.

DR WILLI AND HIS STAFF MADE ME FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE DURING MY OFFICE VISIT.

Diane T.

Fast and friendly on day of procedure.

Jeannie R.

Dr. Donat took his time to listen attentively to me and answer all my questions. This was important to me as a patient. The staff was also very helpful and informative, especially Lisa. You can tell they care about their patients.

Our Doctors

We’re proud of our team here at Digestive Health Institute. Our health care providers include some of the very best colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and physician assistants. To learn more about our qualified team of specialists, please visit our providers page.

Amir Abadir MD, FRCPC

Anezi E. Bakken MD, MS

Sante D. Bologna MD, FACP

M. Emin Donat MD, FRCPC

Partha S. Nandi

Jack Tocco DO

John R. Weber MD

Richard T. Wille MD

Tusar Desai MD

Aalia Saeed, MD

Christina N. Brown, MD

FAQs

What happens during my first visit?

If you are a new patient, you can expect to have a complete physical exam. You will also be asked detailed questions about your current problems and your past medical history, your current medications, allergies, your family history and other pertinent medical information. If you are taking medications, please bring a completed medical history form with you to your appointment. Once the physician has reviewed your medical information and completed the physical examination, a plan of care will be developed. You may need to be seen again in the office, be referred back to your family physician for follow-up care, or require additional testing. If additional tests are needed, we will assist you in scheduling these tests.

What if I need to schedule an endoscopic procedure?

An endoscopic procedure allows the physician to visualize a part of your gastrointestinal tract with a special instrument called an endoscope. If your family physician has ordered testing, you will be contacted by telephone by one of our staff members. If a physician orders testing and you are in the office, the procedure can generally be scheduled during the course of your visit. You will be given a date, time, and location for the test, as well as written instructions telling you how to prepare for the test. If you have any questions about the procedure, please feel free to ask one of our staff members or the physician.

How do I get test results?

We ask that you wait 10 to 14 days before contacting us for results. Often results come from several different sources. This information needs to be compiled and reviewed by your physician before you can be appropriately advised.

What insurances do you accept?

We accept payment from most insurance companies including Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Physicians Health Plan, Cofinity, Sparrow Professional Health Network, Medicaid, McLaren, Health Plus, and several others. Accepted insurances are subject to change at any time without notice.

If your insurance requires an authorization from your primary care physician, you may be asked to assist us in obtaining this authorization.

All patients are responsible for all copays and deductibles at the time of service.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or insurance coverage, please contact our Billing Department at 248-844-9710.

What if I need to contact the doctor?

To contact your doctor during business hours please call our main number 248-844-9710. If you have an urgent need to speak with the doctor after hours, you will be rerouted to our after hours answering service, and your doctor will be paged. In the case of a medical emergency please proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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