Chicago Patient Handbook 2023 - 45

with chronic hepatitis C, your body fails to fight off the
virus in a 6-month period. That is, the virus stays in
your system. It can either be inactive for a while or keep
damaging your liver as time goes on.
Why is liver damage dangerous?
You can't live without a liver. Your liver works in
many important ways: it keeps poisons (including
alcohol and drugs) from harming your body; it makes
necessary body chemicals (fats, proteins, cholesterol);
and it performs hundreds of other roles to keep you
healthy. A damaged liver can't handle all these tasks
very well, putting your life in serious danger. Hepatitis
C can lead to permanent liver damage that may require
a liver transplant. In fact, almost one third of all liver
transplants in the U.S. were needed because the people
had chronic hepatitis C.
Do I have to get treated?
If you think you might have hepatitis or that
you've been in contact with an infected person
or a contaminated object, see your doctor, a
gastroenterologist (a digestive system specialist), or
hepatologist (a liver specialist) right away. If you do
have chronic hepatitis B or C and do not get medical
treatment, you increase the risk of developing lifethreatening
liver damage (cirrhosis, liver cancer, or
liver failure). Chronic hepatitis is a disease that should
be taken seriously, which means always following the
exact treatment that your doctor prescribes.
How can I protect myself from
getting hepatitis B or C?
* Never share needles or personal items such as razors,
toothbrushes, nail files, and clippers anything that
can hold blood.
* If you must get a manicure or body piercing, be sure
sterile instruments are used.
* Avoid multiple sex partners; if you do have multiple
partners, use a latex condom.
* It's better not to get tattoos. The needle and possibly
the injected ink both transmit the disease.
* There is no need to worry about contact with articles
like hairbrushes, combs, or eating utensils.
Understanding Pain
What is the purpose of pain?
Pain is your body's alarm system. It tells you that
something is wrong. When part of your body is injured
or hurt, nerves in that area release chemical signals.
Other nerves send these signals to your brain, where
they are recognized as pain. Pain often tells you that
you need to do something.
For example, if you touch a hot stove, pain signals from
your brain make you pull your hand away. This type of
pain helps protect you.
Long-lasting pain, such as arthritis pain, is different.
While it tells you that something is wrong, it often
isn't as easy to relieve. Managing this type of pain is
important, because it can disrupt your life.
The pain cycle
Along with physical changes, such as movement
limitations, the emotional ups and downs of your
condition can add to your pain. If you feel depressed or
stressed due to limited or lost abilities, your pain may
seem worse. You can get caught in the cycle of pain,
limited/lost abilities, stress, and depression, which
makes everything seem harder to handle.
Why do people react differently to pain?
People react differently to pain for several reasons.
Physical reasons
The sensitivity of your nervous system and the severity
of your condition determine how your body reacts to
pain. These factors determine whether your nerves will
send or block pain signals.
Emotional and social reasons
Other factors that affect how you react to pain and how
much pain you feel include your fears and anxieties
about pain, previous experiences with pain, energy
level, and attitude about your condition. The way people
around you react to pain may also affect how you
personally react to pain.
Whatever the reason, many people have discovered that
by learning and practicing pain management skills, it is
possible to reduce pain.
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Chicago Patient Handbook 2023

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