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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What They Are Saying

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Excellent

Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

Based on 6231 reviews

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Cheri B.

Excellent place. All the people here are top notch , friendly efficient and professional.

William M.

The staff and Dr Bologna was great and very helpful.

Michael P.

Very professional and kind

Jason P.

Great service and care! Answered all my questions before the procedure!

Phil N.

Very professional and efficient. All the personnel I interacted with were pleasant, knowledgeable and professional.

K B.

Everyone in the building works to both help and make you feel comfortable in the whole process

Doug K.

Communication prior to and during procedure was clear and professional. Everyone was friendly and supportive from start to finish.

Derek M.

The worst part about a colonoscopy is the day before with no eating and cleansing your system. Once that was over the experience at Macomb Endoscopy was awesome. Very friendly, and FAST. Was in and out (no pun intended) in no time! Everyone from the second you check-in to the very end were very friendly.

David C.

Everything was top notch from the prep, procedure, and recovery.

Rose A.

I am grateful for the care by staff, nurses, nurse anesthetists and Dr. Richard Wille. Prior to the colonoscopy, Dr. Wille discussed with me my concerns. Afterwards, the center followed up for any problems or questions. The center runs efficiently from start to finish. Very satisfied !

Amie S.

I was able get an appointment fast, test done fast and my stomach issues resolved. Dr. Abadir and the staff have been great to work with.

Charles N.

The worst part of this experience is the prep. Smiles and professionalism all around.

KAM M.

Very professional staff

Genghiro B.

I had a good experience. Needed a colonoscooy and the staff we friendly and engaging. It made for a smooth and easy experience for me

Joseph B.

My experience has been great,I feel like a new man no more running to the restroom or stomach pain. I can’t thank Dr.Webber and his staff enough for putting an end to pain and discomfort and keeping me pain free for 2 years.

Cliff K.

Everyone was very nice and friendly. Dr. John Weber is a wonderful person to have performing your colonoscopy.

Don S.

I was very pleased with my visit to this office. I got in within minutes of my appointment. I had my questions answered and was out quickly. Everyone was very pleasant.

Paula T.

Friendly daily reminders made me get the prep right!! All personnel were efficient and professional.

Tami B.

Great patient care. Very comforting. Very good at sharing knowledge about the procedure I was going to have. The nurses that did my onboarding were excellent!

Melinda S.

The doctors are amazing here and also the staff is wonderful they really show that they care about you and want you to be well and get the best care that you can possibly get I would Recommend to anybody looking for good quality care

Uwannahd U.

Arrived a little early, they took me back on my appointment time. Staff from front desk to each nurse was fabulous! Recommend this location because of Dr. and staff! Thank you

John K.

Everyone at the Center was courteous and helpful. I would recommend the Center without reserve.

Bernice W.

Staff was very professional and made me feel comfortable Very efficient staff-I was on my way home about 75 minutes after I arrived at the office.

Sandy R.

I was taken right on time. The nurses were very friendly and efficient. Dr. Bologna was very nice and informative. I was told what to expect every step of the way. And I was given very specific instructions upon discharge. I very highly recommend the Center for Digestive Health at the Macomb Endoscopy Center. EVERYONE there was friendly and helpful.

Ceci G.

Love my Doctor Bakken. She is a very compassionate and understanding doctor. The staff was very organized, polite and efficient. No waiting. Very much on time. Highly recommend.

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

Based on 6236 reviews

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Doug N.

Great Doctors and friendly and patient staff.

Robert M.

Would HIGHLY recommend this practice to anyone looking for a Gastroenterologist. They are incredibly efficient and treat their patients like gold!

Ron M.

Very efficient service. Beautiful facility. Everyone was very friendly but professional. Nice experience.

Bradley T.

The staff was uncommonly helpful and friendly. Both when I called on the phone with questions and in person in the office.

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

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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