Liver Cirrhosis Homeopathy Treatment

One of the most vital organs of the human body is the liver. It is wedge-shaped and reddish-brown with multidimensional functions. The liver is an accessory digestive organ. It is responsible for metabolic detoxification, synthesising proteins and producing biochemicals vital for digestion. The organ is in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity, resting below the diaphragm to the right of the stomach. The liver is vital for supporting the function of every other organ in the body. Its metabolic actions include protein, carbohydrate, amino acid and lipid regulation. Decomposition of red blood cells, glycogen storage regulation and, hormone production are other important functions of this little organ. So, one can say that a healthy liver is vital for a longer and healthier life.

Liver Cirrhosis

Size & Shape

A liver consists of two lobes that are unequal in size and shape. Generally, a human liver weighs about 1.5 kilograms. It is 6 inches in width and is said to be the heaviest internal organ. The size of the liver varies considerably between individuals.

Liver Diseases

The livers strategic location in the body and multiple functions makes it susceptible to various diseases and disorders. Especially the bare area of the liver is prone to infections. This area is also called the non-peritoneal area, a triangular space on the diaphragmatic liver surface. It is devoid of protection and is connected directly to the diaphragm by loose connective tissues. Thus, infections tend to spread from the abdominal to the thoracic cavity.

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Common Diseases & Disorders

Some of the common liver diseases and disorders that can affect one’s health are listed below:

• Hepatitis
• Hepatic Encephalopathy
• Budd-Chiari Syndrome
• Pediatric Liver Diseases
• Primary Biliary Cholangitis
• Jaundice
• Cirrhosis

What is Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is a degenerative end-stage liver disease that impairs the functioning of the liver. Liver Cirrhosis, also called Hepatic Cirrhosis, results in the formation of scar tissues called fibrosis. Fibrosis damages the healthy liver tissues over a few months. Alcohol consumption is one of the prime causes of cirrhosis. Successive tissue repair subsequently forms scar tissues. Over time these scar tissues replace the healthy functioning tissue causing complete impairment of liver functions. Apart from alcohol consumption, other factors include genetics, drug abuse, liver shots, cancer drugs and injury. Even autoimmune diseases like primary biliary cholangitis can cause severe cirrhosis of the liver.

Signs & Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

The early symptoms and signs of cirrhosis include:

• Fatigue /Tiredness
• Unexplained Weight Loss
• Loss of Appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal Discomfort
• Dizziness
• High Blood Pressure
• Sleep Disorders

As the disease worsens, the symptoms get aggravated. These symptoms include:

• Jaundice
• Inflammation in the Lower Legs
• Itchiness
• Fluid build up in the Abdomen
• Bruises
• Development of Spider Angiomata.
• Reddening of palms
• Cognitive Impairment
• Memory Loss
• Abdomen Infection
• Acute Kidney Injury
• Cachexia
• Enlarged or Shrunken Liver
• Portal Hypertension
• Enlarged Spleen

Severe complications of the disease include:

• Bleeding from the Oesophagus, Stomach or Intestines
• Dilated Veins and Blood Vessels
• Hepatic Encephalopathy
• Liver Cancer

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Causes & Complications of Liver Cirrhosis

Liver Cirrhosis has several possible causes. The exact cause isn’t known. Globally, about 57% of cirrhosis cases is because of Hepatitis B or, Hepatitis C. Alcohol consumption is another major cause accounting for 40% of the cases.  The most common causes of Liver Cirrhosis  are below :

• Alcohol Abuse or Addiction- Alcohol blocks the normal metabolism of fats, protein and carbohydrates. The formation of acetaldehyde is reactive and causes other toxic products to accumulate inside the liver. It can injure the liver.
• Concurrent Alcoholic Hepatitis with jaundice, fever, elevated or shrunken blood vessels, hepatology and anorexia are common diseases in long term regular alcoholics. About 40 per cent of cirrhosis-related deaths in the United States is due to alcohol.
• Chronic Hepatitis B- It is a common cause of developing cirrhosis. Hepatitis B virus causes inflammation and injury to the liver gradually over decades. The presence of both Hepatitis B & D can accelerate cirrhosis, causing absolute dysfunction of the liver.
• Chronic Hepatitis C- The virus causes a variable degree of damage to the liver. Conditions aggravate gradually over decades. Cirrhosis caused by Hepatitis C and alcoholism are reasons for undergoing a liver transplant. About 20 to 30 per cent of chronic Hepatitis C patients develop Cirrhosis.
• Obesity or Fat- Such conditions can cause accumulation of excess fat in the liver causing diabetes. Protein malnutrition and coronary artery disease are associated with such non-alcoholic fat-related Cirrhosis. In severe cases, one needs to take steroids. But steroids have side effects.
• Fatal Injuries – Sportspersons like boxers, wrestlers can accidentally get their liver injured during a match. Any other grave injuries, accidents, medical negligence and environmental factors can increase the risk of causing liver cirrhosis.

Hereditary diseases that can cause cirrhosis are:

1. Hemochromatosis- It occurs when excess iron gets stored in the liver.
2. Wilson Disease– It happens when excess copper gets stored in the liver.

3. Cystic Fibrosis – In this condition thick mucus builds up in the liver, causing inflammation.

4. Glycogen Storage- Glycogen is a form of sugar. When the liver is unable to break down glycogen, it becomes dysfunctional.

5. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency – In this condition, abnormal protein gets produced, harming the liver.

7. Primary Biliary Cholangitis(PBC) – It is an autoimmune disorder that destroys the intrahepatic bile ducts. As a result, inflammation diseases like periportal and cholestasis occur. In the United States, most middle-aged women suffer from PBC.
8. Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis – Acute cirrhosis can be the result of this disease. It occurs when bile ducts get inflamed. It causes liver scars. The narrowing or shrunken ducts inhibit the bile from releasing into the gallbladder and small intestine. As it remains in the liver, inflammation occurs. Inflammatory bowel disease, intestines and formation of ulcers are associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis.
9. Alagille Syndrome – It causes jaundice by affecting the flow of bile through the ducts. It is a genetic disorder that can cause liver cirrhosis and heart diseases like pulmonic stenosis. It disrupts blood flow from the heart to the lungs. Abnormality in the bile ducts builds up bile in the liver. It prevents the organ from functioning. The liver fails to eliminate wastes from the blood. Problems associated with Alagille syndrome is generally visible during infancy or early to later childhood. Patients may develop distinct facial features like a prominent broad forehead, deep-seated eyes and small pointed chin, giving a strange appearance.
10. Chronic Heart Failure- It is redundant for the liver. Heart failure can cause unwanted fluid to recede to the liver causing it to swell.
11. Amyloidosis- It is a rare disease. It occurs when abnormal proteins leave behind toxic residues called amyloid in the liver.

Diagnosis of Liver Cirrhosis

The most common diagnostic methods used are blood tests, liver biopsy and medical imaging. The three diagnostic techniques have subtypes to get the required results. Some of these diagnostic techniques are below:

1. Blood Test- It involves laboratory analysis of blood samples. Blood tests are for diagnosing multiple liver complications, diseases and disorders. Blood tests need to be specific such as cholesterol, glucose test etc. Mostly the blood components are grouped. Blood tests are also to detect alcohol or drug abuse or other causes responsible for potential liver damage. They are often used to determine physiological and biochemical states, such as disease, mineral content, pharmaceutical drug effectiveness, and organ function. They are also carried out for biochemical analysis, cellular evaluation and analysing molecular profiles.
2. Biopsy– One of the most effective ways of imaging is a biopsy. For penetrating the internal jugular vein to extract liver samples, a needle is made use of. Endoscopic ultrasound is a guided biopsy technique. It is for testing target areas in the liver that are separate from each other. A bi-lobar biopsy is helpful to detect liver complications. If laboratory results and radiology data strongly suggest cirrhosis then a biopsy may not be required for diagnosis. FibroTest is an effective alternative to biopsy to detect fibrosis in the liver. Platelet counts, spider angiomata and ascites are potential symptoms of cirrhosis.
3. Ultrasound – It is an imaging technique that helps to evaluate liver cirrhosis. For treating advanced cirrhosis cases, ultrasound is reliable and effective. Ultrasound can detect enlarged lobes, variation in size, inflammation, deformities, malformation, abnormalities, liver damage, enlarged spleen etc. It is thus, helpful for making the correct diagnosis of liver diseases. Ultrasound can detect underlying signs of portal hypertension, screen hepatocellular carcinoma by assessing the flow in the hepatic veins.
4. CT Scan- This diagnostic method is vital for findings like relative hypertrophy, irregular liver surface, ascites, regenerative modules, tissue damage etc.
5. Endoscopy– It is for examining the oesophagus, duodenum, stomach and liver itself. A gastroscopy is a form of endoscopy performed for diagnosing cirrhosis. Detection of oesophagal varices can lead to the application of prophylactic therapy like banding or sclerotherapy.

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Investigations & Prevention Strategies

As of 2015, about 2.8 million of the global population suffer from severe liver complications. According to the 2015 statistical report, 1.8 million people died of liver complications. It shows that the prevalence of liver diseases is pretty high. Therefore, prevention and proper treatment are essential. Key prevention strategies adopted for the prevention of liver cirrhosis are:

• Increasing awareness of liver-related diseases
• Governmental interventions are there for discouraging people from consuming alcohol and other harmful drugs.
• Organising Public health Campaigns
• Counselling
• Establishment of Rehabilitation Facilities for Addicts
• Increasing the price of liquor
• Organising Hepatitis Awareness Programs and Medical Camps
• Screening of relatives with hereditary liver diseases,
• Keeping a Pollution Free Environment
• Promoting Ways of Maintaining a Healthier lifestyle
• Increasing Awareness about Genetic and Hereditary Liver Complications and Diseases.
• Vaccination for Hepatitis B

These are some of the effective strategies being adopted on several levels to prevent fatal liver cirrhosis. Specific factors that increase the risk of causing cirrhosis and aggravating it isn’t known. However, scientific studies have provided evidence that coffee consumption can prevent liver diseases from progressing. The positive effects of consuming coffee are much more noticeable in patients having liver diseases related to alcohol.

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Allopathic Treatment of Cirrhosis

Generally, the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver is dependent on the detection and treatment of underlying diseases, health issues and considering hereditary factors. Laboratory tests, pathological tests and imaging are crucial for diagnosing diseases to prescribing medication to patients. Damage caused to the liver is not reversible but preventive. In allopathy, doctors rely on antibiotics to prevent infections. Cream and ointments are available to help with symptoms like skin irritation and itching. Laxatives are also helpful in decreasing the risk of having constipation. Interferon is used to treat viral hepatitis and, corticosteroids are effective in treating autoimmune hepatitis. Other allopathic medications for treating symptoms are:

• Disulfiram
• Naltrexone
• Acamprosate
• Antiviral Medicines
• Chelating Agents
• Vitamin K
• Diuretics

Liver Cirrhosis Homeopathy Treatment

Homoeopathic treatment is an alternative system of medicine to allopathy. Homoeopathic medicines come from plant extracts, minerals, animals and synthetic substances. The diluted solutions are very effective for preventing the aggravated symptoms of liver cirrhosis.

Homoeopathic medicines treat the underlying cause of liver complications. They can control and halt cellular damage. Consumption of homoeopathic medicines at an early stage of cirrhosis can reduce the count of viruses. It provides symptomatic relief. Here’s a list of homoeopathic medicines, that can treat the symptoms of Cirrhosis :

1. Mercurius
2. Bryonia Alba
3. Chelidonium
4. Carduus Marianus
5. Sulphur
6. Myrica Cerifera
7. Digitalis
8. Podophyllum
9. Phosphorus
10. Nux Vomica
11. Lycopodium

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Epidemiology

Every year more than one million people die because of liver complications and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis has become the 11^th most common disease-causing death globally. It is the 10^th leading cause for the deaths of men and the 12^th leading cause for the deaths of women. Each year approximately, 27000 people die. Alcohol abuse, addiction and non-fatty liver disease are common in the urban population. Viral infections like hepatitis are common in developing countries. Though the rate of age-standardised disability-adjusted life year(DALY) has decreased as of 2017, but globally, the DALY rate is still high.

Conclusion

People opt for homoeopathic remedies as allopathic treatment is expensive. Liver cirrhosis homeopathy treatment can be effective because homoeopathic medicines are natural and without any harmful side effects, unlike allopathy. It treats liver diseases holistically. In addition, a healthier lifestyle and a disciplined way of living can always reduce the risk of developing liver cirrhosis. Nonetheless, it is highly advisable to consult a homoeopathic doctor before consuming any medication whatsoever.