Get Authentic Ayurvedic Treatment for Liver Cirrhosis

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Cirrhosis is a serious liver condition in which healthy liver tissue is gradually replaced by scar tissue, affecting the liver’s ability to function properly. While conventional treatment focuses on managing complications, Ayurveda works on strengthening liver function, detoxifying the body, and restoring internal balance.

Jiva Ayurveda offers a holistic approach through HACCP-certified herbal medicines, dietary regulation, and lifestyle support to promote liver health and improve overall well-being.

What Is Liver Cirrhosis?

Liver cirrhosis is a medical condition wherein normal liver tissues are gradually replaced by scar tissue. This impairs the normal functioning of the liver and affects its ability to perform critical functions such as detoxification of blood, synthesis of critical proteins, and digestion.

As liver cirrhosis progresses, it leads to a stiff and inefficient liver, resulting in a range of medical complications. Liver cirrhosis can occur as a result of a range of medical conditions, including the effects of alcohol, infections, fatty liver, and inflammation of the liver.

Types of Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic condition in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, impairing liver function. The types of cirrhosis are classified based on their cause or underlying condition:

• Alcoholic Cirrhosis: Caused by excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption. Prolonged exposure to alcohol results in cell damage, causing cirrhosis and impaired liver functioning.
• Hepatitis-Induced Cirrhosis: Caused by prolonged hepatitis infection, especially Hepatitis B and C viruses. The prolonged infection results in cirrhosis.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Cirrhosis: Caused in patients suffering from fatty liver disease, not caused by alcohol.
• Biliary Cirrhosis: Caused by prolonged damage to the bile ducts, resulting in the accumulation of bile in the liver. This includes Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Secondary Biliary Cirrhosis.
• Cardiac Cirrhosis: Caused in rare cases of cirrhosis, resulting from prolonged right-sided heart failure, resulting in the congestion of blood in the liver.
• Cryptogenic Cirrhosis: Caused by cirrhosis of unknown origin, after ruling out all possible causes of cirrhosis.

Common Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis of the liver occurs when the liver is damaged for a prolonged period. This damage causes scarring and prevents the liver from working normally. Understanding the common causes of liver cirrhosis can help prevent its onset and manage symptoms if it develops.

Some of the most common Liver Cirrhosis causes are:

• Chronic Alcohol Abuse: An important reason for Cirrhosis of the liver is regular and excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol may lead to severe inflammation and scarring of liver cells.
• Hepatitis B & C: Worldwide, these viral infections are major causes of Liver Cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis causes chronic liver inflammation and may eventually lead to Cirrhosis.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This particular ailment, usually linked to diabetes and obesity, involves fatty accumulation in liver cells, which causes scarring and inflammation.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis: This happens when the immune system attacks liver cells, leading to chronic inflammation and ultimately Cirrhosis.
• Genetic Diseases: Several inherited disorders, like Wilson's disease and hemochromatosis, lead to excessive buildup of materials like copper and iron in the liver, leading to liver damage.
• Biliary Cirrhosis: This type of Cirrhosis begins in the bile ducts, which move the digestive liquid bile from the liver into your small intestine. Diseases like primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis ultimately block these ducts and trigger Cirrhosis.
• Drugs, Toxins & Infections: Constant exposure to harmful toxins, chronic infections, and certain medications can cause long-lasting liver damage and Cirrhosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis may not manifest symptoms during the initial stages, and this is the reason it can go unnoticed for a very long time. However, as the condition of the liver deteriorates, the body starts to manifest symptoms that indicate a malfunctioning liver. Recognizing these symptoms can prove helpful in diagnosing and managing the condition.

The following are the common symptoms of liver cirrhosis:

• Fatigue and Weakness: Patients with liver cirrhosis experience a great deal of weakness and fatigue. This is because a malfunctioning liver is not able to process food and toxins properly, leading to weakness and fatigue.
• Loss of Appetite: This is a common symptom of liver cirrhosis. This occurs because a malfunctioning liver is not able to process food properly, leading to a loss of appetite.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Malfunctioning of the liver can also cause nausea and vomiting. This is because a malfunctioning liver is not able to process food and toxins properly.
• Yellow Color of Skin and Eyes (Jaundice): Jaundice, or yellow color of the skin and eyes, results from an increase in bilirubin in the bloodstream, which happens when the liver fails to function well. 
• Swelling in the Abdomen and Legs: As the liver fails to regulate fluids and proteins in the body, there can be swelling in the abdomen and in the legs.
• Itchy Skin: Itching of the skin can result from the buildup of bile salts in the bloodstream, which happens when the liver fails to remove them from the bloodstream. 
• Easy Bruising or Bleeding: The liver produces proteins essential for blood clotting. When the liver fails, easy bruising and bleeding can happen. 
• Confusion or Difficulty Concentrating: In the later stages of liver failure, toxins can accumulate in the brain, resulting in confusion, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems, a condition referred to as hepatic encephalopathy.

Risks & Complications of Liver Cirrhosis

In case liver cirrhosis is not treated promptly, several health complications are likely to arise. This is because, with advanced liver damage, the liver is unable to perform its functions properly, and this can cause complications that affect other body parts.

Liver cirrhosis complications include the accumulation of fluids in the abdomen, swelling in the legs, increased pressure in the veins that are part of the digestive system, internal bleeding, and infections. At advanced levels, liver cirrhosis can cause liver failure, confusion caused by toxins that build up in the brain, and liver cancer.

Diagnosis of Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis can be diagnosed by a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Doctors can determine the symptoms and possible causes of liver damage before recommending diagnostic tests.

Some common tests used to diagnose liver cirrhosis include:

• Blood Tests: Blood tests can be used to determine liver function by measuring enzymes, bilirubin, and proteins produced by the liver. Abnormal levels of these tests can indicate liver damage or reduced liver function.
• Imaging Tests: Doctors can also perform imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to determine the shape and size of the liver. These tests can also detect any abnormalities or damage to the liver.
• Liver Biopsy: Doctors can perform a liver biopsy by taking a sample of liver tissue and examining it under a microscope. This can confirm liver cirrhosis and determine the level of damage.
• Endoscopy: Doctors can perform an endoscopy to detect enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach, which can occur due to increased pressure in the liver.

Early detection of liver cirrhosis can help slow down the progression of the disease and reduce complications.

Situations We Commonly Support at Jiva Ayurveda

The situations that Jiva Ayurveda commonly supports at our clinic include: Patients experiencing symptoms or complications of liver cirrhosis. These may include:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the legs or abdomen
• Jaundice – yellow colour of the skin and eyes
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating because of the buildup of toxins

These symptoms develop because of the buildup of scar tissue in the liver, which gradually impairs the liver's ability to function.

How We Assess Liver Cirrhosis Patients at Jiva Ayurveda

The assessment of liver cirrhosis patients at Jiva Ayurveda includes:

• Consultation with the patient regarding their symptoms and lifestyle
• Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis – Nadi Pariksha
• Determining the cause of the problem and the individual's body constitution
• Review of the patient's medical history – whether the patient has a history of alcohol consumption, hepatitis, or fatty liver
• Determining digestion, metabolism, and the accumulation of toxins in the body – Ama

What Kind of Results Can You Expect from Jiva Ayurveda?

The damage that has been done to the liver due to cirrhosis cannot be completely cured, but with Ayurvedic medicine, you can definitely lead a healthier and improved life. Some of the results that you can expect from Ayurvedic medicine are:

• Improved digestion and appetite
• Reducing swelling and discomfort
• Increased energy levels
• Supporting liver detoxification and regeneration
• Slowing down the progression of liver damage
• Some of the herbs that are used in Ayurvedic medicine are Bhringraj, Katuki, Punarnava, Turmeric, and Ashwagandha.