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.”

Find a Location in Your Area

Find a Location

Request an Appointment

What They Are Saying



Excellent

Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

Based on 6228 reviews

See all reviews

review us on

Mary Ann L.

Dr Bakken is professional, knowledgeable & kind. She has e e a lot of information to help me deal with my condition. Staff friendly & helpful.

Tom P.

Dr Webber is the best! Having a colonoscopy can be an intimidating event, however the staff and Dr Webber are upbeat, friendly and really developed confidence. If I could rate it a 10, I would!

Chuck C.

Everyone in the office was extremely helpful and wanted to make sure I was taken care of. When my appointment was over and I needed to schedule a follow up it was fast and efficient and I should mention that the doctor was on time!!!

Brian Z.

Excellent and professional.

Carey M.

Friendly, clean and very considerate

steve G.

Over the past 20 years I have had 6 colonoscopies. Same place and all with Dr. Nandi. Every one was on time, staff had their ducks in a row and the doctor was great’

Wendy W.

Noelle, the PA, was caring and took the time to listen and help with the issues that brought me in.

toni F.

The staff was professional, courteous, and very well trained. They answered all my questions and all were a pleasure to work with.

Domenica B.

Wonderful people and atmosphere! Took my nerves away

Frederick S.

Great experience as always from the Doctors, PA and staff

Monika Mecke T.

Dr. Desai is an exceptional, kind doctor with great knowledge. Highly recommended!

Anne M.

I was greeted kindly. The visit was quicker then the past visits which is nice. Dr. Nandi listened to me. and gave me choices for next steps. Scheduling was painless. The website updates still do not work.I tried three times to update info with no success. I did get into portal with help at the office. Thank you.

Bradley T.

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

Dawn D.

Everyone at the center was so pleasant polite!! I would refer all my family and friends to come here . Great place I believe I’ve been coming here for the last 15 years were needed

Michael T.

The provider's and staff at the center for digestive health they are professional in every way highly recommend Dr Donat for your colonoscopy procedure.

Giuseppe E.

Very friendly staff very professional

Maria V.

Well organized. Staff very friendly. Dr. Donat very experience does an excellent job.

Tom S.

I was weighed and the taken to an exam room promptly where BP and temp were taken. Dr. Wille came in shortly after and I was on my way home 20 minutes after my appointment time. Dr. Wille explained test results, discussed my situation, and ordered additional testing, and did not rush me at all.

Mark T.

Everyone was friendly, professional and attentive … the front desk, the nurse, the anathesiologist, the assistant and Dr. Nandi.

Richard B.

The staff is both highly competent and cheerful! My procedures went quickly, painlessly, and I was surrounded by smiling faces the entire time! I highly recommend them for any of your GI issues.

Julie D.

First time for a colonoscopy. Staff was amazing. They meet me feel at ease.

Marie M.

Dr. Fogel was very thorough in his exam. He explains everything to you. He listens to what you have to say. He is not in a rush.

Meghan S.

Dr Tocco is quick and efficient. Office staff are super friendly and comforting. I was even called in ahead of schedule for procedure! Kudos for that when you aren’t able to eat until after procedure!

Amber W.

I've been a patient for 15 plus years and I don't have one bad thing to say. Office staff and my doc ALL great!

Jacki G.

This was my first colonoscopy and I was pretty nervous. The experience was excellent. The nursing staff was super friendly and helpful. I especially loved how they had music playing when I was wheeled into the procedure room. It definitely helped calm my nerves! The NA, nurse and Dr. Donat explained the entire procedure to me so I knew what to expect before they put me under. And there is no way you can mess up on your prep. The communication is excellent. They send you a detailed document in the mail as well as text message reminders along the way to ensure you stay on track. Overall it was a wonderful experience!

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

Based on 6233 reviews

See all reviews

review us on

Angie J.

On time and efficient getting me ready for Endoscopy. Each member of the medical team were kind, caring, compassionate, and very professional. Dr. Wille is my favorite. I’ve been with this practice for 20+ years and have had numerous EGD’s as well as the routine colonoscopies. This is the team you want!

Ken B.

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

Jerry K.

Very pleased 5 star

mark H.

Best place to go , very nice, very helpful, very knowledgeable, I will go nowhere else, dr Willy is the best

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.

3 reasons to see a gastrointestinal specialist when you turn 45

A gastrointestinal specialist is someone who specializes in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract involves a pathway that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. The organs within the gastrointestinal tract are those that function mostly for...

The Benefits of Water for Digestion

Digestion is a process that, when running smoothly, can help keep the rest of your body in good condition too. It’s an important component of your overall health. There are several different ways that the digestive system can be well maintained, and this can be helped...

Do I Need an Endoscopy for Acid Reflux?

An endoscopy is a procedure that is typically used to examine an individual’s digestive tract. It is a non-surgical procedure that involves a tube with a video camera attached to it, called an endoscope, that is used to examine the inside of a cavity in the body. An...