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 6261 reviews

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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

steve C.

Everyone did a great job. Very efficient. This was my second colonoscopy with this medical group and would feel confident to return again.

Dottie D.

I trust Dr Nandi and his staff very much in taking care of me during the procedures I had. They are all super friendly which is very calming st a time like that. They all get a thumbs up!!!

Giuseppe E.

Very friendly staff very professional

Paul H.

I was brought in for prep and everyone went out of their way to make me feel comfortable!

Mary B.

Friendly people! Clean and organized. Highly recommend! They even followed up the next day to see how I was doing!

Perry

I experienced a very friendly and professional administration and medical staff. The process was informative and fast. Thank you.

Don M.

Awesome staff and doctor. Couldn't be more pleased.

Jeffery R.

Staff was a pure pleasure to work with. Very professional.

John W S.

Everyone here is incredibly kind and caring. I had some anxiety when I was preparing for my procedure, but it was done and over with before I had time to think about it. Dr. Donat is excellent, and takes time to explain everything.

michelle B.

Everyone there was so nice and made sure you understood everything that was going on, they all had smiles on there face and they made me laugh and feel very comfortable with being my first time having a procedure done there.

G. C.

Well organized and every person explained what they were doing and why. It put me at ease

MIke B.

I couldn’t have had a better experience. The staff members were kind, polite and professional. I would not hesitate to recommend this office to anyone looking for great care.

Ted H.

They did a good job

Pamela C.

Have been seeing Dr Baaken for years now for colonoscopies and to consult and treat my fatty liver disease. She is very thorough and takes time to fully explain things. I would highly recommend her.

Kurt R.

From initial contact through post procedure care, Dr. Willie and his team are exceptional at patient care and education of the procedure being conducted, the pre-procedure prep, and results. This my second 10-year screening procedure with Dr. Willie and hope that he is still in practice 10 years from now for my next procedure. Well done and thank you!

Tangela S.

The staff was friendly, professional and knowledgeable. I was seen in a timely manner. Dr. Bakken was kind and was willing to answer any of my questions and concerns. Following the procedure later the same day, I was contacted by the staff to see how I was feeling and if I needed anything or had any other questions or concerns.

Suzette G.

I was very pleased in how professional, friendly,compassionate and caring everyone was. I would highly recommend them, especially Dr Bakken. Thank you very much for all 5he care you have given me.

Albina G.

Excellent service

Robert H.

I was a little late but when I got there they put me right thru. They were all very professional and polite. When it was over the Dr came in and explained what happened and what he did. Being handicapped it took me a little longer to get dressed and then they wheeled me out to my vehicle.

Dedee M.

Dr Bologna and his staff are wonderful. They were so quick and efficient and explained everything both before and after the procedure.

James D.

Friendly staff, Doctor's were on time with the schedule.

Stephanie

If you have to go through a procedure like a colonoscopy there is no other place I would go to then The Center for Digestive Health. I love all of the caregivers. Thank you for getting me in quickly.

Shawn S.

My first time going in and I must say staff was awesome 2 thumbs up made me fill comfortable just all around great "thank you"

Felicia E.

This is the second time we have had a procedure through this office. All of the personnel I dealt with were very professional and pleasant. The doctor updated me on the results timely. I would recommend them wholeheartedly.

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

Based on 6266 reviews

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Joy

Efficient, friendly, it made that whole experience actually enjoyable.

Tiffany K.

Doctor was professional, office is organized, great bedside manner and had a great team! Great nurse anesthetist too.

Joan O.

Wonderful facility and excellent staff including front desk, assistants, RNs, CRNA and Dr. They made you, comfortable, warm. Skilled procedure such as IV, and sedation and colonoscopy done well and efficiently. Staff explained every step of the process. Could not have been more satisfied.

Debbie M.

Always professional and clean facilities. Roger was my pre-op nurse and was fantastic! Dr. Weber is exceptional. Wouldn't trust anyone else.

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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