Hepatocellular Disease (Hepatitis)
What is Hepatocellular Disease (Hepatitis)?
Hepatocellular disease refers to conditions that damage the liver cells, called hepatocytes. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that causes these cells to become injured or stop working properly. When liver cells are damaged, they cannot filter toxins, produce bile, or perform the hundreds of other jobs your liver does every day.
Hepatitis can be acute, meaning it happens suddenly and lasts a few weeks or months. It can also be chronic, lasting six months or longer and sometimes for years. Acute hepatitis often comes from viral infections or exposure to toxins. Chronic hepatitis develops when the liver stays inflamed over time, leading to scarring and reduced liver function.
Your liver is one of the most resilient organs in your body. It can regenerate and heal itself when given the right support. Catching hepatocellular disease early through testing allows you to address root causes and prevent permanent damage. Many people with early liver disease feel fine, which is why proactive testing matters so much.
Symptoms
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes, called jaundice
- Dark urine that looks like tea or cola
- Pale or clay-colored stools
- Fatigue and weakness that does not improve with rest
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen
- Fever and chills
- Joint pain and muscle aches
- Itchy skin
Many people with early hepatitis have no symptoms at all. The liver can lose significant function before you notice anything wrong. This is why routine blood testing is so important for catching liver problems before they progress.
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Causes and risk factors
Hepatitis has many possible causes. Viral infections are common, including hepatitis A, B, and C viruses. These viruses spread through contaminated food or water, contact with infected blood, or sexual contact. Excessive alcohol use damages liver cells directly and is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis. Certain medications, supplements, and toxins can also injure the liver when used long term or in high doses.
Autoimmune hepatitis happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks your liver cells. Fatty liver disease, linked to obesity and insulin resistance, causes inflammation and cell damage. Other risk factors include metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, high triglycerides, and a diet high in processed foods and sugar. Genetic conditions and chronic exposure to environmental toxins can also contribute to hepatocellular disease over time.
How it's diagnosed
Hepatocellular disease is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, medical history, and sometimes imaging. Blood tests measure liver enzymes, bilirubin levels, and other markers that show how well your liver is working. Urine tests can detect bilirubin in your urine, which appears when damaged liver cells leak conjugated bilirubin into your bloodstream. This helps doctors tell the difference between liver problems and other causes of jaundice.
Rite Aid offers preventive health testing that includes urine bilirubin screening as part of our flagship panel. Testing twice a year helps you catch liver problems early, before symptoms appear. Early detection gives you time to address root causes through diet, lifestyle changes, and medical treatment when needed. If your results show signs of liver stress, your doctor may order additional tests to determine the specific cause and severity.
Treatment options
- Stop or reduce alcohol consumption completely to allow liver healing
- Eat a nutrient-dense diet rich in vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats
- Avoid processed foods, added sugars, and fried foods that stress the liver
- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular movement
- Review all medications and supplements with your doctor to avoid liver toxins
- Stay hydrated with plenty of water throughout the day
- Get adequate sleep to support liver repair and detoxification
- Treat underlying conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome
- Antiviral medications for viral hepatitis, prescribed by your doctor
- Immune-suppressing medications for autoimmune hepatitis
- Regular monitoring through blood tests to track liver function over time
Concerned about Hepatocellular Disease (Hepatitis)? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Acute hepatitis comes on suddenly and typically lasts less than six months. It often resolves on its own or with treatment. Chronic hepatitis lasts six months or longer and can persist for years. Chronic hepatitis is more likely to cause permanent liver damage and scarring over time if not treated.
Some types of acute hepatitis can resolve without treatment, especially hepatitis A. However, chronic hepatitis B and C usually require medical treatment to prevent liver damage. Even when symptoms improve, the underlying liver inflammation may continue. Regular testing helps you know if your liver is healing or if you need medical intervention.
Alcohol is toxic to liver cells. When you drink, your liver works to break down the alcohol into less harmful substances. Heavy or prolonged drinking overwhelms this process and causes direct cell damage. Over time, this leads to inflammation, fat buildup, and scarring called cirrhosis.
Bilirubin in urine suggests that conjugated bilirubin is leaking from damaged liver cells into your bloodstream. Healthy kidneys then filter this bilirubin into your urine. This finding helps doctors identify liver problems as the cause of jaundice, rather than red blood cell breakdown or other issues.
Fatty liver and hepatitis are related but not identical. Fatty liver means fat has built up in your liver cells. When this fat causes inflammation and cell damage, it becomes a type of hepatitis called steatohepatitis. Both conditions can progress to serious liver damage if not addressed through lifestyle changes and medical care.
You can reduce your risk of non-viral hepatitis through healthy habits. Limit alcohol, maintain a healthy weight, eat whole foods, and avoid unnecessary medications and supplements. These steps protect your liver cells from damage. However, viral hepatitis requires vaccines for hepatitis A and B, and you should avoid contact with infected blood or body fluids.
If you have risk factors like obesity, diabetes, heavy alcohol use, or a family history of liver disease, test at least twice a year. Rite Aid offers preventive health testing that includes liver markers. Testing regularly helps catch problems early when they are easier to reverse through lifestyle changes and treatment.
Focus on vegetables, especially cruciferous ones like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Include lean protein, healthy fats from fish and nuts, and fiber-rich foods. Green tea, berries, and foods rich in antioxidants support liver function. Avoid processed foods, excess sugar, and fried foods that create extra work for your liver.
Yes, untreated chronic hepatitis can progress to cirrhosis, where scar tissue replaces healthy liver cells. Advanced cirrhosis can lead to liver failure, where the liver can no longer perform its essential functions. This is why early detection and treatment are so important. Catching hepatitis early gives you the best chance to prevent permanent damage.
Yes, dark urine can be a sign of bilirubin in your urine, which suggests liver problems. It can also indicate dehydration or other health issues. If your urine looks like tea or cola and stays that way after drinking water, get tested. Contact your doctor right away if you also notice yellowing of your skin or eyes.