Hepatitis C Center - Pearland, TX
Pearland Gastroenterologist Doctors for Hepatitis CType of Physician: Gastroenterologist What is a Gastroenterologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated. Specialty: Gastroenterology Common Name: GI Doctor Gastroenterologist Doctors in Pearland * Arun K Mukhopadhyay MD  Rafael Sanchez MD  Gastroenterology Consultants PA  Gastroenterology Consultants PA  Gastroenterology Consultants PA  Gastroenterology Consultants PA  Gastroenterology Consultants PA  Gastroenterology Consultants PA  Gastroenterology Consultants PA  Bay Area Gastroenterology PA  Bay Area Gastroenterology PA  Bay Area Gastroenterology PA  Bay Area Gastroenterology PA  Stephen C Marcum & Richard Warneke MDs  Bay Area Gastroenterology PA  Kalyanam D Subramanyam MD  Stephen C Marcum & Richard Warneke MDs  Liver Associates of Texas PA  Nizar Charafeddine MD  Digestive Health Center  Rukan Daccak MD  Gastroenterology Diagnostic Clinic  John R Mathias MD  UTMB Specialty Care  Ben H Echols MD  UTMB Specialty Care  UTMB Specialty Care  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center GI Medical Oncology  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center GI Medical Oncology  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center  University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center GI Medical Oncology  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center GI Medical Oncology  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center GI Medical Oncology  University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center GI Medical Oncology  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center  UT MD Anderson Cancer Center GI Medical Oncology  Houston Digestive Diseases Consultants  Alberto O Barroso MD  Margaret Bridges MD  Stuart M Dobbs MD  Brian Douglas MD  Atilla Ertan MD  Houston Digestive Diseases Consultants  F Lyone Hochman MD  Ray A Verm MD  Brian Kaplan MD  John C McKechnie MD  Frank Meriano MD  Texas Childrens Hospital GI Division  Ian L Sachs MD  Ray A Verm MD  Peter J Schwarz MD  Stuart M Dobbs MD  Fernando M Urrutia MD  Ray A Verm MD  Karen L Woods MD  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  M Radwan Al-Sabbagh MD  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Liver Associates of Texas PA  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Digestive Associates of Houston  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Digestive Associates of Houston  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Baylor College of Medicine Gastroenterology  Nisar Ahmed MD  Antonio Bernal MD  John B Clemmons Jr. MD  Diagnostic Clinic of Houston  Alfred J Hernandez Jr. MD  Dickinson Medical Clinic  Diagnostic Clinic of Houston  Garland W Gossett MD  Garland W Gossett MD  Leroy Odom MD  Midtown Physicians  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Main Campus Gastroenterology  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Main Campus Gastroenterology  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Main Campus Gastroenterology  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Narayana P Narayana MD  Owen S Maat MD  Marc L Kudisch MD PA  Ronald M Rance MD  Robert L Arkus MD Pearland, TexasUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Hepatitis CRead the Hepatitis C article » What is hepatitis C?Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is difficult for the human immune system to eliminate the virus from the body, and infection with HCV usually becomes chronic. Over decades, chronic infection with HCV damages the liver and can cause liver failure in some people. In the U.S., the number of new cases of infection with HCV has declined over the last 10 years from a peak of some 200,000 annually to about 19,000 in 2006. When the virus first enters the body, there usually are no symptoms, so these numbers are estimates. Up to 85% of newly infected people fail to clear the virus and become chronically infected. In the U.S., more than three million people are chronically infected with HCV. Infection is most common among people who are 40 to 60 years of age, reflecting the high rates of infection in the 1970s and 1980s. There are 8,000 to 10,000 deaths each year in the U.S. related to HCV. HCV is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the U.S and is a risk factor for liver cancer. What is the nature (biology) of the hepatitis C virus? 'Hepatitis' means inflammation of the liver. HCV is one of several viruses that can cause hepatitis. It is unrelated to the other common hepatitis viruses (for example, hepatitis A or hepatitis B). HCV is a member of the Flaviviridae family of viruses. Other members of this family of viruses include those that cause yellow fever and dengue. Viruses belonging to this family all have ribonucleic acid (RNA) as their genetic material. All hepatitis C viruses are made up of an outer coat (envelope) and contain enzymes and proteins that allow the virus to reproduce within the cells of the body, in particular, the cells of the liver. Although this basic structure is common to all hepatitis C viruses, there are at least six distinctly different strains of the virus which h... Recommended Reading Related to Hepatitis CSexually Transmitted Diseases in Men (STDs in Men) » What are STDs and how can their spread be prevented?Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. In the professional medical arena, STDs are referred to as STIs (sexually transmitted infections). This terminology is used because many infections are frequently temporary. Some STDs are infections that are transmitted by persistent and close skin-to-skin contact, including during sexual intimacy. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are usually incurable, such as HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8. Furthermore, many infections can be present in, and be spread by, patients who do not have symptoms. The most effective way to prevent the spread of STDs is abstinence. Alternatively, the diligent use of latex barriers, such as condoms, during vaginal or anal... Read the Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Men (STDs in Men) article » Other Related Hepatitis C ArticlesEmergency Contact for Pearland
Nearby Pearland Hospitals *Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Clear Lake Rehabilitation Hospital Cornerstone Hospital of Houston at Clearlake Clear Lake Regional Medical Center Triumph Hospital Clear Lake Vista Medical Center Hospital of America Bayshore Medical Center CHRISTUS St John Hospital Texas Specialty Hospital Kindred Hospital Bay Area Harris County Hospital District Harris Quentin Mease Community Hospital IntraCare Medical Center Hospital University General Hospital The Woman's Hospital of Texas University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Memorial Herman The Institute for Rehabilitation & Research Ben Taub General Hospital St Luke's Episcopal Hospital Texas Orthopedic Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Hospital for Specialized Surgery Riverside General Hospital Shriners Hospitals for Children Texas Children's Hospital The Methodist Hospital Kindred Hospital Houston Memorial Hermann Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Houston Medical Center Park Plaza Hospital and Medical Center Plaza Specialty Hospital East Houston Regional Medical Center St Joseph Medical Center Triumph Hospital Houston Central Dubuis Hospital of Houston Triumph Hospital East Houston Cornerstone Hospital of Houston at Bellaire Riveroaks Medical Center Sharpstown Campus West Oaks Hospital Lyndon B Johnson General Hospital Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Mainland Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Houston Heights Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital Twelve Oaks Medical Center River Oaks Campus Doctors Hospital of Tidwell San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Garth Rd Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Renaissance Hospital Houston Select Specialty Hospital Houston West Spring Branch Medical Center Doctors Hospital Parkway San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Alexander Campus Triumph Hospital Baytown Triumph Hospital Southwest Healthbridge Children's Hospital of Houston Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital Triumph Hospital North Houston West Houston Medical Center Triumph Hospital Town & Country Angleton Danbury Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Humble Rehabilitation Hospital Memorial Hermann Northeast OakBend Medical Center CHRISTUS St Catherine Hospital Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital Shriners Hospital Galveston University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Houston Northwest Medical Center Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Kindred Hospital Northwest Kingwood Medical Center TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Hepatitis C by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Liver
- The liver is the largest solid organ in the body, and is actually an gland. The liver has a wide variety of critical functions such as manufacturing proteins and metabolizing fats and carbohydrates. The liver also eliminates harmful biochemical waste products from the body (alcohol, drugs, toxins). The liver secretes bile that aids in digestion. Examples of diseases of the liver include cirrhosis, hepatitis, cancer, and fatty liver. Symptoms of liver disease include bleeding, easy bruising, edema, fatigue, and jaundice.
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Cirrhosis (Liver)
- Cirrhosis of the liver refers to a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue caused by alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C. This disease leads to abnormalities in the liver's ability to handle toxins and blood flow, causing internal bleeding, kidney failure, mental confusion, coma, body fluid accumulation, and frequent infections. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin, itching, and fatigue.
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
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Viral Hepatitis
- Hepatitis is most often viral, due to infection with one of the hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E, F (not confirmed), and G) or another virus (such as those that cause infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus disease). The main nonviral causes of hepatitis are alcohol and drugs. Many patients infected with hepatitis A, B, and C have few or no symptoms of illness. For those who do develop symptoms of viral hepatitis, the most common are flu- like symptoms including: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness, and aching in the abdomen. Treatment of viral hepatitis is dependant on the type of hepatitis.
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Hepatitis A and B Immunizations
- Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are the two most commnon viruses that infect the liver. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B can be prevented and treated with immunizations (vaccinations) such as Havrix, Vaqta, Twinrix, Comvax, Pediarix, and hepatitis b immune globulin (HBIG).
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Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, a vital part of the body's immune system. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, coughing, weakness, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain. Treatment depends on which type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma you have, the stage of the cancer, your age, how fast the cancer is growing, and whether you have other health problems.
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Raynaud's Phenomenon
- Raynaud's phenomenon is characterized by a pale-blue-red sequence of color changes of the digits, most commonly after exposure to cold. Occurring as a result of spasm of blood vessels, the cause is unknown. Symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon depend on the severity, frequency, and duration of the blood vessel spasm. Treatments include protection of the digits, medications, and avoiding emotional stresses, smoking, cold temperature, and tools that vibrate the hands.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women (STDs)
- Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
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Vasculitis
- Vasculitis is a general term for a group of uncommon diseases which feature inflammation of the blood vessels. Each form of vasculitis has its own characteristic pattern of symptoms. The diagnosis of vasculitis is definitively established after a biopsy of involved tissue demonstrates the pattern of blood vessel inflammation. Treatment is directed toward decreasing the inflammation of the arteries and improving the function of affected organs.
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Jaundice
- Jaundice is a yellowish staining of the skin and whites of the eyes (sclerae) with bilirubin, the pigment found in bile. Jaundice can be an indicator of liver or gallbladder disease, or it may result from the rupture of red blood cells (hemolysis).
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Fatty Liver
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a wide spectrum of liver disease ranging from simple fatty liver (steatosis), to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), to cirrhosis (irreversible, advanced scarring of the liver). All of the stages of NAFLD have in common the accumulation of fat (fatty infiltration) in the liver cells (hepatocytes).
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Liver Cancer
- Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the majority of patients with liver cancer will die within one year as a result. Patients with associated cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infections, alcohol, and hemochromatosis are at the greatest risk of developing liver cancer. Many patients with liver cancer do not develop symptoms until the advanced stages of the tumor which usually makes prognosis poor. The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose liver cancer, while a liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis. Medical treatments, including chemotherapy, chemoembolization, ablation, and proton beam therapy, are not very effective. Surgical removal of the tumor or a liver transplant may be most effective in certain cases.
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Essential Mixed Cryoglobulinemia
- Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia is a condition caused by abnormal blood proteins called cryoglobulins. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling, skin vasculitis, enlarged spleen, and nerve and kidney disease. Treatment involves medications that reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system.
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Alcoholism
- Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
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Lichen Planus
- Lichen planus is a common skin disease that features small, itchy pink or purple spots on the arms or legs. the abnormal areas on the skin in lichen planus are typically flat-topped (hence the term planus), itchy, and frequently have a polygonal or angular shape.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Men (STDs in Men)
- Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
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Hepatitis B
- The hepatitis B virus is a unique, coated DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses. The course of the virus is determined primarily by the age at which the infection is acquired and the interaction between the virus and the body's immune system. Successful treatment is associated with a reduction in liver injury and fibrosis (scarring), a decreased likelihood of developing cirrhosis and its complications, including liver cancer, and a prolonged survival.
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Drug Abuse
- Drug addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
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The Digestive System
- Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated, and is made of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy (STDs)
- When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.
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Dry Eyes
- Dry eyes are caused by an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye, but also can be caused by the drying out of the tear film. This can be due to dry air created by air conditioning, heat, or other environmental conditions. Treatment may involve self-care measures, medications, or rarely, surgery.
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Drug-Induced Liver Disease
- Drug-induced liver diseases are diseases of the liver that are caused by physician-prescribed medications, OTC medications, vitamins, hormones, herbs, illicit (“recreational”) drugs, and environmental toxins. There are three types of liver toxicity; dose-dependent toxicity, idiosyncratic toxicity, and drug allergy. The types of liver disease drugs cause include: mild elevations of blood levels of liver enzymes, hepatitis, necrosis, cholestasis, steatosis, cirrhosis, mixed disease, fulminant hepatitis, and blood clots.
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Steroid Abuse
- Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that are related to testosterone and promote skeletal muscle growth and the development of male sexual characteristics in both men and women. In the 1930s, it was discovered that anabolic steroids could promote skeletal muscle growth in lab animals, which lead to anabolic steroid abuse by bodybuilders and weight lifters.
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Septic Arthritis
- Septic arthritis, or infectious arthritis, is infection of one or more joints by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Symptoms and signs of septic arthritis include fever, joint pain, chills, swelling, redness, warmth, and stiffness. Treatment involves antibiotics and the drainage of the infected joint.
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Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)
- Thrombocytopenia refers to a decreased number of platelets in the blood. There are many causes of thrombocytopenia such as decreased platelet production (viral infections for example rubella, mumps, chickenpox, hepatitis C, and HIV); increased platelet destruction or consumption (for example sulfonamide antibiotics, heparin, blood transfusions, and lupus); or increased splenic sequestration (enlarged spleen due to conditions for example liver disease, blood cancers, and more). Treatment of thrombocytopenia depends on the cause.
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Encephalopathy
- Encephalopathy means brain disease, damage, or malfunction. Causes of encephalopathy are varied and numerous. The main symptom of encephalopathy is an altered mental state. Other symptoms include lethargy, dementia, seizures, tremors, and coma. Treatment of encephalopathy depends on the type of encephalopathy (anoxia, diabetic, Hashimoto's, hepatic, hyper - hypotensive, infectious, metabolic, infections, uremic, or Wernicke's) are examples of types of encephalopathy.
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Ascites
- Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity is most commonly caused by cirrhosis of the liver. Some of the other causes of ascites include portal hypertension, congestive heart failure, blood clots, and pancreatitis. The most common symptoms include increased abdominal girth and size, abdominal bloating, and abdominal pain. Treatment depends on the cause of ascites.
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Liver Disease
- Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases such as gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause; however, common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
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Hemophilia
- Hemophilia is one of a group of inherited bleeding disorders. Hemophilia A and B are inherited in an X-linked recessive genetic pattern and is more common in males. Symptoms of hemophilia include bleeding into the joints, muscles, GI or urinary tract, or brain or skull. Treatments for hemophilia is generally replacement of blood clotting factors.
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