Hepatitis C is a viral disorder that causes inflammation in the liver. It is caused due to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and can vary in intensity from mild to severe in different situations. This condition can be acute or chronic. Based on how the virus affects the body and due to the lack of apparent symptoms, Hepatitis C can go undiagnosed for a long period of time.
Here are some ways in which Hepatitis C can affect the body:
Blood and vessel problems
People suffering from hepatitis C have proteins present in the blood stick together in colder temperatures. This condition is known as cryoglobulinemia. It leads to an unhealthy buildup of such proteins in the blood vessels and may result in blockage, swelling, and severe damage to the vessels. The patient may also suffer from a deficiency of white blood cells and/or platelets in their blood. Since this disease directly affects the liver, it has an impact on the flow of blood in the body. Some levels of scarring can also block this flow of blood and cause further complications.
Neurological effects
Hepatitis C is also known to cause some damage to the nervous system due to the increased number of toxins present in the body. This may result in brain fog and trouble focusing and may also lead to depression. In more severe cases, the patient may also experience some loss of memory and fatigue. Other symptoms of nerve damage caused due to Hepatitis C are numbness in the hands and feet, prickling sensation in certain parts of the body, or abnormal shaking.
Cardiovascular effects
HCV, which is the cause of hepatitis C, is known to alter the body’s glucose metabolism process. This puts such patients at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, people who are already suffering from type 2 diabetes are said to be more vulnerable to increased fibrosis if diagnosed with hepatitis C. Since this condition directly affects the circulatory system, it is known to cause hypertension in people and may also lead to variceal bleeding or internal bleeding due to ruptured blood vessels. In some patients, atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arterial walls, is also observed.
Digestive problems
The liver is responsible for producing bile, which helps digest food particles in the intestines. When infected by HCV, the production of bile in the liver reduces, which largely interferes with its ability to digest fatty foods. As a result, it may lead to pain in the abdomen. Liver damage, which is also known as cirrhosis, may also reduce the amount of albumin produced in the body. Albumin is responsible for controlling the amount of fluid in cells, and thus a deficiency of albumin may lead to a buildup of fluid in the stomach, which is known as ascites. Inflammation of the gallbladder is also observed in people with Hepatitis C.
Skin conditions
The unnatural clotting and blockage of blood vessels and reduction in the number of white blood cells and platelets in the body can often result in visible skin conditions, such as bumps, blisters, and light or dark patches on the skin. In severe cases, the patient may also experience vitiligo, which is the loss of color in the face, elbows, knees, and wrists.
