When you say you have a feeling in your gut, you’re referring to intuition or instinct that manifests as physical sensations in your body, particularly in the abdominal area.
The gut houses the enteric nervous system, which communicates with the brain. This communication system allows the gut to play a role in regulating both physical and mental processes.
The gut’s influence extends beyond digestion, affecting various aspects of human health, including the immune system, metabolism, and even brain function. But when hepatitis impairs gut functions, the entire body is affected.
What is the Gut?
The gut, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or digestive system, is a complex series of hollow organs forming a long, continuous tube that extends from the mouth through the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine to the anus. It is responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. Accessory organs such as the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder also contribute to the digestive process.
The gut is responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients, supporting immune function (70% of immune tissue is in the gut), and producing vitamins B1, B9, B12, and K, among other functions.
Hepatitis and the Gut
Hepatitis is most known to affect the liver. However, hepatitis, particularly hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, causes alterations in the gut microbiome.
The microbiome refers to the vast community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes, that inhabit various environments, including the human body. In humans, the most significant and well-studied microbiome is found in the gut.
Hepatitis significantly impacts digestion and gut health in several ways. Bacterial diversity significantly decreases in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. There’s an increase in potentially harmful bacteria like Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroidetes and a decrease in beneficial bacteria like Firmicutes, which hinders the ability to boost immune response.
Hepatitis can lead to various digestive issues:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Pale or clay-colored stools
Furthermore, chronic hepatitis can lead to more severe gut-related complications, including swollen blood vessels in the esophagus and stomach, risking rupture and bleeding, and cirrhosis—advanced liver damage that further exacerbates digestive issues and gut dysbiosis.
It’s important to note that symptoms can vary depending on the type of hepatitis (A, B, or C) and whether the infection is acute or chronic. Some people, especially those with chronic hepatitis B or C, may not experience noticeable symptoms initially.
When To See a Gastroenterologist
You should see a gastroenterologist if you are experiencing:
- Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort
- Chronic or severe heartburn that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medications
- Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
- Unexplained nausea or vomiting
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Blood in stool or black, tarry stools
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained fatigue or weakness
- Fever
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Joint pain
Early signs of hepatitis can be missed due to their subtle nature and similarity to other common conditions. Some early signs or non-specific conditions that might be overlooked include:
- Chronic fatigue: Often mistaken for normal tiredness or stress-related exhaustion
- Depression: May be attributed to other causes or life circumstances
- Joint pain: Could be misdiagnosed as arthritis or general age-related discomfort
- Mild abdominal discomfort: Might be dismissed as indigestion or stress-related
- Loss of appetite: May be attributed to various other conditions or lifestyle factors
- Mild nausea: Often considered a common, transient symptom
- Itchy skin: Could be mistaken for allergies or dry skin
- Slight yellowing of the eyes: May not be noticeable in early stages or under certain lighting conditions
- Dark urine: Patients might not report this change, or it could be attributed to dehydration
These subtle indications of hepatitis can be better diagnosed by a gastroenterologist who provides specialized care for digestive system disorders and performs necessary diagnostic procedures like endoscopies and colonoscopies.
Each May, Hepatitis Awareness Month serves to raise awareness about hepatitis A, B, and C and encourage testing, vaccination, and timely treatment—the best ways to combat hepatitis. And that’s more than a gut feeling.
