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 6229 reviews

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Rami T.

DR. Bologna and his team of professionals at CDH Macomb are compassionate, and efficient, from start to finish they are the BEST

Donna P.

The two nurses I had were great. Very friendly

Robert S.

Dr Quallich and the staff are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Dr Quallich.

Elizabeth G.

Staff was very nice!

Molly E.

This center has the best and most compassionate staff. I was very nervous about my first colonoscopy (more so with the prep!). I appreciated the care and support that the nurses gave me in answering my questions and concerns. A colonoscopy is not something that anyone looks forward to doing in their lifetime, but if it needs to be done, I will say that you are in excellent hands with the staff here.

Alison Z.

I had my colonoscopy with Dr. A Bakken and could not have asked for a better experience. From check-in to discharge, the entire staff was kind, professional, and reassuring. Dr. Bakken was phenomenal — she was thorough, compassionate, and took the time to explain everything clearly. The procedure went perfectly and I felt completely at ease the entire time. I am so grateful for such wonderful care and highly recommend this practice.

Pete L.

Have been using CDH for several years. The administrative staff and especially the procedures staff has always been top notch.

Florence P.

Having the opportunity for a telemedicine appointment is so valuable! It saved me travel time, time away from work, gas, and hassle! Thank you for investing in the technology to make life better for your patients! Seeing Dr. Quallich face-to-face was reassuring and was the same as seeing him in person. We covered all the concerns that I had and have a good plan of action. I received a call before my appointment checking on all my meds and also received a text msg with a link for our appointment. Hats off to your entire team on orchestrating such a great and professional job! As always, Dr. Quallich, you are an awesome and caring doctor! Your compassion for your patients is comforting! Thank you!

Nicolino T.

Very Good Experience! Going in I was worried about the whole thing, but staff was pleasant and they got me in and out of there faster than I expected. I would recommend this staff and location.

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!

Barbara V.

Very professional and caring. Everything goes smoothly throughout the whole process. Highly recommended!

Nancy T.

Doctor Willie was right on time and very helpful. Great physician. We need more doctors like Doc Willie. Awesome.

Nathaniel W.

I had a wonderful experience Dr. Bologna and staff were nice and very professional caring for their patients.

Catherine T.

Great doctors and great nursing staff!

Kristen B.

Great nurses and quick turnaround in and out for colonoscopy.

Sue B.

Dr. Quallich is always thorough in asking questions and explaining whats going on and the course of treatment. His open attitude make it easy to discuss potentially difficult topics. He is a marvelously positive person which is helpful in alleviating any anxiety concerning symptoms or procedures.

Maine C.

I had my first colonoscopy at the age of 58, after 8 years of putting it off. When I arrived at the office, I was put at ease immediately, and everyone was friendly and professional. I was in and out of the office and done with my procedure in under 2 hours. Dr Nandi has been my husband's doctor for many years, and when I finally decided to have my first colonoscopy, there was no doubt that I would go to him. I highly recommend this office for any gastro procedures and doctor visits.

Tom F.

Friendly, competent and accommodating staff, and Dr. Weber is the best!

Debi W.

Dr. Quallich is a wonderful person! I've been with him for over 10 yrs. now. He has always treated me with respect, is very thorough and has a great bed side manner. I highly recomend him to anyone that is looking for a doctor. The staff is always pleasant as well.

Dan D.

Excellent patient treatment pre and post-procedure. Step-by-step instructions with daily follow-up via Text & Email. A complete package of prep materials can be delivered to your home.

Richard B.

Great staff. Very caring and informative doctor.

Bill S.

Service was very efficient. Care was excellent.

Anita

I think Dr. Weber is the best. He listens to my concerns and answers my questions. Then we decide on the next type of treatment.

Kathy R.

The Dr. and staff at the macomb facility were very caring and helped make the procedure a less anxious one. There really wasn’t a wait time so I was in and out in no time!

Douglas

Excellent medical staff

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

Based on 6234 reviews

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Teresa S.

Dr. Donat is one of most caring and thoughtful doctors in this practice. He takes time with his patients and is thorough in his medical explanations. His entire staff from the receptionist to the nurse anesthetist to the nurse in pre and post surgical, to staff in the office and infusion center....they are all top -notch medical professionals. I highly recommend this well managed, patient-centered practice. Kudos CDH!

Colleen S.

I am a patient of Dr Donat and am pleased with my experience, from initial appointment, through the 2 procedures today. Check-in process was efficient, staff was professional and Dr Donat explained how to continue to manage my medicines and go forward to avoid abdominal flare-ups. Good job, folks.

Kathleen S.

Everyone was very kind, respectful and professional.

Thad J.

Efficient and friendly.

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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