A few years back, my friend Aman was diagnosed with hepatitis B. This man was in his late twenties, working 12 hours a day and having no time for himself. It started as a slight fatigue with concurrent nausea and quickly converted into persistent discomfort. A normal medical examination turned their world upside down.

The doctor told him that hepatitis B is manageable with the appropriate treatment and healthy living. He was given tenvir af, an antiviral that keeps the virus in check and liver intact. But he needed more than just a handful of pills—he had to turn his life around. That was the real start of his journey to better health.

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a virus infection that results in inflammation of the liver and in some individuals, progresses to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Transmission occurs via infected blood, semen, or from mother to child at birth. A lot of people with hepatitis B can live clearly for many years, and so it is important to see a doctor regularly.

Aman had been an asymptomatic virus carrier all those years. The doctor had told him that the factors that would primarily determine how aggressive the disease becomes was his lifestyle habits and mainly what he ate daily.

Dietary Considerations for Hepatitis B

Foods to Include

●      Greens & Vegetables – Spinach, kale and broccoli contain numerous antioxidants and help rinse the liver.

●      Lean Proteins – Fish, tofu and lentils help add vital proteins to the diet without straining the liver.

●      Healthy Fats – Good liver function is supported by avocados, nuts, and olive oil.

●      Fibre-rich Fruits – Apples, pears and berries aid digestion and immunological function

●      Enough Water — Water makes the liver work all the harder to rid the body of toxins.

Foods to Avoid

●      Processed Foods — Packed with bad fat and preservatives, junk food can simply overload the liver.

●      Sugary Drinks & Alcohol- it causes fatty liver disease, possibly damaging the liver as well.

●      Red meat and high-fat dairy — harder to digest and increase liver workload.

●      Salty & Fried Foods — High salt causes fluid retention and hinders the liver action.

Aman started feeling lighter and active with this new diet plan. Eating mindfully, he learned, wasn't only about controlling hepatitis B, it was also about increasing quality of life.

Lifestyle Changes To Manage Hepatitis B

1. Regular Exercise

In the beginning, Aman felt tired, but later, he realised that light workouts cured the tiredness. He began with daily morning walks, then escalated to yoga and light strength training. Exercise activated his metabolism and assisted his liver.

2. Stress Management

Stress will reduce the effectiveness of the immune system and aggravate liver inflammation. Meditation and deep breathing helped Aman feel better. Journaling was another practice that allowed him time to organise and process many factors about his health.

3. Sleep Routine

Low-quality sleep amplified his fatigue. He consciously decided to sleep earlier by avoiding screen time before sleeping, and slept at least 7–8 hours. Such a minor modification made a huge difference to his energy levels.

Tips to Avoid Complications

If you are living with hepatitis B, you need to take certain precautions so that you do not develop complications, and you can also protect others from infection. Aman realised that he would have to be vigilant about his health.

1. Regular Medical Check-Ups

Due to the silent nature of hepatitis B for many years, it was necessary to perform liver function tests and monitor the viral load regularly. Aman had regular check-ups every six months to check to see if everything was alright.

2. Vaccination 

Vaccination of individuals such as caregivers who have come into close contact with the patient. Because hepatitis B can be transmitted, Aman’s family and other close contacts were vaccinated. Doing so automatically saves them from catching an infection.

3. Do Not Share Personal Items

Razors, toothpaste, and fingernail clippers can transfer infected blood, so never shared these objects with anyone.

4. Safe Practices

At the dentist or going for a tattoo, Aman only ever ventured forth with sterile equipment that was guaranteed to prevent exposure to infected blood.

The Emotional Toll of Burnout and the Stigma That Comes with It

The story of overcoming his social stigma of managing his physical health was one part, When Aman was diagnosed with HIV, he was reluctant to tell anyone about it, fearing stigma or discrimination. He understood that education and awareness are the gateway through the stigma.

He signed up for an online support group and met people who were experiencing what he was experiencing. He learned that talking to them made him less lonely about having hepatitis B and began speaking out in his community about hepatitis B.

Takeaway

Hepatitis b can be managed through it the right way. He was able to live a good life, by having control over his health with the, right medication such as Tenvir AF, a balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle.

Even if you or someone you care for has hepatitis B, small changes create large impacts. Eat good, move right, and listen to doctors to avoid complications. Most importantly, you are not alone — help is out there and life can be just as rewarding as ever through the right path.