Liver Cirrhosis is one of the most complicated degenerative liver diseases caused due to long term damage of liver cells and irreversible scarring of liver, leading to deprived liver function. Scarring of liver inhibits it from infection control, poor metabolism of toxins and other drugs. The liver also fails to produce bile that is necessary in absorption of fat soluble vitamins and also to absorb fats that include cholesterol. Generally these symptoms in liver cirrhosis are not seen in early stage, as the manifestation of the disease takes months or even a year. In healthy condition liver is able to regenerate most of its damaged cells but in last stage of cirrhosis it is no longer able to replace the damaged cells resulting in failure of liver. Liver Cirrhosis is the 12th leading cause of death by disease. According to data published by Global Burden of Diseases Study, cirrhosis has affected about 2.8 million people and resulted in 1.3 million deaths in 2015. The incidence is slightly higher in men than in women. Ayurveda and Liver Cirrhosis According to Ayurveda liver cirrhosis can be interpreted as Yakrit Vriddhi and Kumbhakamala. Yakrit or liver is said to be the seat of Pitta dosha. Pitta is responsible for metabolic activities that take place in liver. When the pitta dosha gets aggravated it leads to either excessive production of bile or obstruction in the flow of bile resulting in decreased enzyme activity and thus lowered metabolism. The agni (digestive fire) is hampered as a result of which there is improper digestion and low absorption rate. Vitiation of pitta dosha also leads to imbalance in the vata and kapha dosha. Lowering of agnibala (strength) and imbalanced pitta along with other dosha leads to intoxication of rasa and raktadhatu that causes cirrhosis. Acharaya Charak mentions that Kumbhakamala is an advanced condition of kamala or jaundice or hepatitis. It is a deep seated disease of the koshta where one can observe that the portal gets obstructed due to roughness of the liver. Cause of Liver Cirrhosis:
- Consumption of excessive alcohol – Alcohol consumption from several years lead to injury of the liver and it may lead to cirrhosis.
- Hepatitis B, C and D – The hepatitis virus leads to inflammation of the liver and further damages it causing cirrhosis.
- Unhealthy diet is also an important reason to increase the pitta dosha. Consuming of too spicy, salty, sour, oily food and preserved food imbalances the body dosha and may cause the disease.
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) –This disease is associated with obesity, diabetes, protein malnutrition, coronary artery disease, and corticosteroid medications. The excessive fat deposit on the liver eventually leads to cirrhosis.
- Consumption of excessive drugs for arthritis, gout, skin problems, etc. may put too much pressure on the liver.
- Biliary cirrhosis, a liver condition caused by disturbance of the immune system, when the immune system begins to attack the bile ducts in the liver, also may lead to liver cirrhosis.
- Decreased appetite
- Nausea, vomiting, fatigue and weight loss
- Jaundice and itching
- Anorexia
- Edema of the ankle, legs and abdomen
- Ascites and small spider like blood vessels underneath the skin
- Portal hypertension
- Light colored stools
- Dark urine
- Fever
- Confusion and personality changes may also be seen
- Take 5 to 15 ml of Bhumi Amalaki (Phyllanthusniruri) juice on an empty stomach every morning to help the liver function better.
- Consuming carrot, spinach, radish in the form of juice, daily is also beneficial.
- Consuming 5ml of Papaya seed juice with few drops of lemon juice (prepared fresh everyday) helps stimulate the liver function. This can be consumed for a period of 1 month.
- 5 ml of fresh juice of bhumyamalaki mixed with honey consumed on empty stomach twice daily for 1 month is also extremely beneficial.
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