Stay Well: 10 Ways to Keep Healthy During Hep-C Treatment

Hepatitis C (Hep-C) is a viral infection that slowly damages your liver over the course of years. Some Hep-C is considered short-lived, or acute. You can sometimes treat this with lifestyle changes alone. 

If it lasts for over six months, as it does in 75% to 85% of all infections, it’s called chronic Hep-C. Your doctor will prescribe medications to treat your condition if you have chronic Hep-C. Sometimes it can become cancer, which will require more extreme treatments. 

Read on to learn about lifestyle tips that can help anyone with Hep-C, as well as specific recommendations if your treatment involves antiviral medications.  

A lot of medications can have negative side effects when they’re combined with medications used for Hep-C treatment. Some supplements can, like vitamin A, can damage your liver. 

Always talk to your doctor before you start taking anything new once you’ve been diagnosed with Hep-C. 

One of your liver’s jobs is to filter the blood that comes from your stomach and intestinal tract. The organ is damaged by alcohol. You should avoid drinking alcohol once you’ve been diagnosed with Hep-C. 

Make sure you drink at least six to eight glasses of water every day, or more — whatever your body needs to stay hydrated. Increased fluid levels will help your liver heal. 

Drink water consistently to stay hydrated. You'll need more when it's hot or when you exercise. Common signs of dehydration include: 

• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Dry Mouth
• Dizziness
• Swollen feet

Your diet is important while you’re trying to heal your liver. You need to avoid saturated fats and trans fats because these can build up in your liver. You should eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods high in fiber.  

You’ll be tired during your treatment. You need to make sure that you get plenty of sleep every night. Aim for at least seven to nine hours.

You also need to let yourself rest whenever you’re tired. Don’t hesitate to take a break when your body needs it. 

Some of the medications that are used to treat Hep-C interfere with hormonal birth control. Others can cause birth defects if you become pregnant within 6 months of taking them. 

To avoid pregnancy, you should use two different forms of birth control, like a condom and a spermicide. 

Exercise has a large number of health benefits that will impact your recovery including:

• Helping you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
• Improving your mental health
• Increasing your appetite

Don’t overtax yourself. Sometimes even housework can be enough exercise for the day. 

Some of the medications that are commonly used to treat Hep-C increase your photosensitivity. This means that you shouldn’t go tanning and need to use plenty of sunscreen when you’re outside. 

Protease inhibitors like simprevir are the main medications that’ll lead to photosensitivity. 

You need to precisely follow your treatment plan. Always take all of your medications the right way at the right time. 

You also need to completely finish your treatment plan. Don’t skip any doses in the middle or at the end of your treatment. This is the safest way to ensure that you’re cured as quickly as possible. 

Many people find it helpful to talk to others who have the same diagnosis. You can find a local support group or join one that meets online. 

Your family and friends may want to support you too. It can be good for your relationships to open up about what you’re going through to your loved ones. 

But keep in mind that everyone is different. You should only share what feels right with the people of your choice.