Cirrhosis is a disease that specifically affects the liver. The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body and is also the largest organ .A healthy liver is vital in keeping the body functioning properly as it removes or neutralizes poisons from the blood, produces immune agents to control infection, and removes germs and bacteria from the blood. Besides, it makes proteins that regulate blood clotting and produces bile to help absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
Cirrhosis of the liver refers to the scarring of the liver that occurs as a result of chronic liver disease. Due to this disease, the cells of the liver are damaged and can’t repair themselves. As liver cells die, scar tissues form and when these scar tissues start to build up, blood can’t flow through the liver properly. In cirrhosis of the liver the scar tissues replace the normal, healthy tissues, thus blocking the flow of blood through the organ and prevents it from working as it normally should do.
Causes
Various causes have been cited as reason for the onset of this disease. In a large number of cases over consumption of alcohol has been cited as one of the major reasons for the onset of this disease. This is called alcoholic cirrhosis. And in some other cases cirrhosis of the liver is caused by hepatitis C, an infection of the liver. Apart from this, hepatitis B, medications, autoimmune inflammation of the liver, disorders of the drainage system of the liver etc are also cited as reasons for the onset of this disease. It is to be realized that early treatment can prevent further damage to the liver and arrest the growth of cirrhosis.
Symptoms Some of the major symptoms visible in cirrhosis persons include: a general loss of appetite, redness of the palms of the hands, yellowish color of the skin and eyes, a feeling of fatigue and weakness, unusual weight loss or weight gain, Impotence and loss of interest in sex, appearance of small, red spider- like blood vessels on the skin etc.
All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patient’s body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc. This will enable the patient to receive treatments that are specifically suited to his very needs. Ayurveda treatments will therefore vary from patient to patient.
The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person’s body humour (dosha) – Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humours that create every disease.
The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behaviour, food habits, sleeping patterns, personal details like age, height, weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also. The doctor can decide if an Ayurveda treatment is helpful on providing these details.
Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person’s body humor and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease.
Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.
In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.
Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person’s nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status – nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc – can also be learned through eye diagnosis.
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After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .
The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.
The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. The beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and doctors advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.
The following pre-purification method is usually adopted in the treatment of Cirrhosis.
Snehapanam is an important pre purification therapy for cirrhosis which consists of oral intake of medicated ghee and sesame oil for a specified number of days. This unique snehapanam treatment helps to flush out the toxins from the body. Amaltas, guggul, ginger, neem, onion, chopchini, tribhala etc. are some of the ingredients used for its preparation. Apart from being a purva karma treatment for cirrhosis, snehapanam also improves the delicacy of the skin, enhances memory and the grasping power of an individual.
This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The main purification therapies adopted for Cirrhosis areNasyam.and Virechanam.
Nasyam is the pouring of herbal oil in drops in to the nostrils and inhaling the contents. This opens up the head channels and enables the herb extracts to act directly on the central nervous system. Nasyam treatment lasts for twenty to thirty minutes. The herbal oil is a blend of sesame oil mixed with herbs such as Sida plants, Bael and Vitex etc. Nasyam therapy is effective in the treatment of cirrhosis.
Virechanam consists of the oral intake of safe herbal medicines leading to the elimination of poisonous wastes through the anal route. This cleansing of the mid zone benefits the entire body system. The appetite and body strength increases making you a more active and energetic person.
These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana treatments for cirrhosis consist of oral medicines and diet regulation.
Herbal medicines form an important part of any Ayurvedic treatment. Oral medicines for cirrhosis will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure cirrhosis. Kashayams and Arishtams herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams– semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed.
The type and quantity of the medicines to be taken are decided by the doctor after a detailed consultation and examination. The patient’s body type, age etc are also important factors to be considered.
Diet regulation will be suggested for patients suffering from cirrhosis. Proper diet is a brilliant means of controlling and curing this disease. Ayurveda diet provides adequate nutrition as well as rest for the needed organs.
Cirrhosis patients are advised to consume large quantities of fruits and green leafy vegetables. Apples, pears, grapes, grape fruits, oranges, pineapples, peaches are very beneficial. Vegetables such as beets, squashes, bitter gourd, egg plant, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, papaya etc should also be consumed abundantly. Consumption of dry fruits and nuts is also encouraged. Al types of juices like sugar cane juice, orange juice, coconut water, as also barley water is highly beneficial. Drinking liquids enhances the urination process and helps to clear the body from a lot of toxins and metabolic wastes. Apart from this, drinking large quantities of water will prevent the liver from over exerting itself. Consumption of organic foods is to be encouraged at all times. The intake of milk is to be encouraged. However, it is best to avoid all forms of spicy and oily foods and use induppu instead of salt. Alcohol, meat, eggs, ghee, oil etc as also canned, processed and refined foods are best avoided.
Home Remedies for Cirrhosis
Some home remedies suggested below are found to be effective in cirrhosis patients. Black papaya seeds are recommended as an effective home remedy. One table spoon of juice obtained by grinding the black papaya seeds mixed with 10 drops of fresh lime juice should be taken once or twice daily for about a month.
The fresh juice of carrots in combination with spinach juice has been found beneficial in treating cirrhosis of the liver. One should take 200 ml of spinach juice and 300 ml of carrot juice and consume this 500 ml mixture on a daily basis. Or else the patient can take 300 ml of carrot juice and 100 ml of cucumber juice and 100 ml of beet juice and consume this 500 ml mixture
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Yoga and meditation are always beneficial and have always played a vital part in curing every type of disease. Yoga exercises done every day replenish and rebalance the physical and emotional systems that are depleted by the everyday stresses that lie so heavy on our lives. Yoga makes it possible to rest on a strong base of confidence and strength within oneself. Cirrhosis patients are advised to have recourse to breathing exercises on a daily basis.
Life Style for Cirrhosis
Patients suffering from cirrhosis are advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the panchakarma experience. At this time, the body is weak after the purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. They should also avoid tension, worry and anxiety in their daily lives. Light exercises are recommended. A morning and evening walk is beneficial. They should also take sufficient rest and sleep
They should undertake warm water enema daily to cleanse the bowels.
It has also been found that applying hot and cold compressors for two or three minutes on the liver daily is beneficial to the patient. Light exercises are beneficial
