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 6265 reviews

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Sue O.

Dr. Bakken is amazing. Very thorough, engaged and knowledgeable.

Robert B.

Everyone was very professional and friendly. The process was great, it went as they stated. Thank you.

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.

frank P.

Incredibly quick in getting you checked in, set up and ready to go for your procedure. Also very friendly while prepping you. Everyone from top to bottom was clear in what to expect while there and then following up with you after to ensure you know what to expect before, during and after procedure. So easy and nice when having a procedure that can be uncomfortable to you as the patient.

Gjon D.

Dr.Donat is a pro. He listens and cares. Hard to find. Keep up the good work.

Mark

Entire staff was kind and informative about the process/procedure.

Lori L.

Dr Noelle was very thorough and helpful

Mary S.

I’ve been a patient at Center for Digestive Health for over 25years and have had nothing but exceptional care with Dr Nandi and the Nurse Practitioners Nicolette and other NPs in the practice. Front staff and medical staff are all professional and friendly. My questions are answered and I don’t feel rushed when the NP or physician are with me during an office visit. All have very good communicative skills with patients which is a huge plus.

Terri S.

Very nice facility with friendly, efficient staff.

Stephen S.

The center is run efficiently with well trained staff.

Larry S.

Everything went very well. Front office staff was welcoming and checking in was very easy. The ladies in my prep was very nice and made me feel comfortable. Dr Bologna and his staff for my procedure was also very professional

Lori B.

This was my first procedure, so I have to say the staff made me feel extremely comfortable and explained everything. I would recommend Dr. Donat

David K.

Staff was very friendly and professional. The office was well organized and clean. One negative, The restroom in the office, could use a little better quality toilet paper other than 1-ply, being that all your patients sitting in that office have just gone through a day of prep for a colonoscopy.

Fernando M.

Good attention and great service, professionalism through the entire procedure, quick and effective discharge. Area of improvement on reception and waiting time (1.5 hr after my appointment)

Vernon S.

Scheduled a colonoscopy and staff was very nice. Procedure was very quick.

Pam W.

Everyone was wonderfully kind ❤️

Lorrie G.

Dr Partha S Nandi, my Dr is …. Very knowledgeable, caring, empathetic and understanding. Takes the time to actually LISTEN to his patient’s concerns and suffering. Very prompt & enthusiastic to help as quickly as possible. On a daily mission to help others and have someone the Patients can FINALLY call their Health Hero! 🦸🏻‍♂️🤗🥰 The Center itself and rest of the staff from front desk to procedure room to recovery room were just amazing people. Polite, caring, great bedside manner and even comical at times. Very pleasant experiences for both my procedures. You come out thinking, well, that wasn’t so bad! 😆👍

Jim A.

Dr Webber and his team are outstanding. They made me feel comfortable the entire time. I strongly recommend them.

A C.

The staff was very professional and friendly and the procedure was done very quickly. No delays.

Mary T.

Everyone was so nice. Everything was explained from prep through procedure very clearly. Highly recommend!

Sandra T.

I recently had a colonoscopy performed by Dr. Donat at the Center for Digestive Health in Troy and I was very impressed with the staff, nurses and Dr. Donat. My procedure was painless and I was treated so kindly and I was very comfortable. After the procedure I was given a copy of the pictures of my colon explaining what the Dr. performed and he did come to me in the recovery room and explained everything, leaving me very relieved and informed. The nurses and Anesthesiologist were so kind and comforting. I would recommend this center to all my family and friends for all their surgical needs.

Valerie M.

Dr John Webber is an excellent G.I. doctor. He always make me feel at ease prior to my Colonoscopy!

Perry H.

Fantastic. It was a pleasure to finally visit a medical facility that my expectation were met. The staff and doctors were professional & passionate, yet personal. Every step of the procedue was thouroughly explained and your very accurate. Your team should be a model for all health care to follow. Thank you

cherri M.

Brooke was so kind and took her time and explained what tests she was ordering.

Jimandericka R.

Comfortable, straightforward good treatment I enjoyed speaking to everyone, especially my Dr Dr. Bologna

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

Based on 6270 reviews

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Chris M.

Staff was great. Very attentive. Dr Willie is fantastic.

Christine P.

Working with this practice was smooth and easy. From booking to my escorted walk to my ride, everyone was kind and friendly. Appointment was timely and efficient.

Sandra V.

From the beginning at registration , to Debbie walking me out . Everyone was so kind and friendly. I would recommend this place for any digestive needs or procedures. Thank you to all who helped me.

Mary L.

All the staff are very personable.

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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