Cirrhosis

Definition

Cirrhosis refers to a group of persistent liver illnesses that cause irregular changes in the interstitial cells of the liver which leads to hardening and inflammation of the liver.
Cirrhosis may also refer to any organ that has chronic interstitial inflammation.

Signs and symptoms

As a result of cirrhosis, the liver becomes damaged and cannot carry out its many functions, such as storage and filtering of blood, manufacture of bile (which helps digest body fat and body fat-disolvable vitamins), production of bilirubin (which gives stool it’s color), and many metabolic functions like the transformation of sugar into glycogen. Glycogen is the form in which carbohydrates are stored in the body for energy; therefore, another traditional symptom of liver disease is actually extreme fatigue.

Cirrhosis of the liver usually has a long period in which there are no overt signs and symptoms. Early possible signs of cirrhosis are fatigue, itching, rashes, constipation, diarrhea, alternating color of stools, fever, and indigestion.

When cirrhosis manifests, its symptoms include abdominal swelling, pain, vomiting with blood, general inflammation, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). Advanced stages of cirrhosis can lead to very serious symptoms that can result in coma and passing away.

Type

Another form of cirrhosis, known as biliary cirrhosis, initially affects the bile ductwork, then moves into the muscles, and is a disease of unknown causes. It is most frequent in females 35-60 years of age with 30% of victims discovering cirrhosis through blood tests. Fifty percent experience itching, allergies, and fatigue during the initial stages, which could occur months or even years before the real disease is actually identified. After diagnosis, it is often discovered that victims have enlarged livers and spleens. Other possible signs of biliary cirrhosis consist of clubbing of nails, yellow stools, as well as kidney, bone, and nerve disease.

Cause

Liver performance can be impaired by toxic poisons within the body. Most pharmaceutical drugs, if taken on a consistent basis, can also cause cirrhosis. If you are on medications, be sure to have your liver performance monitored regularly (every 3-6 months) by your personal doctor, and consider other healing alternatives that may reduce or get rid of your need for medications.

Extreme caution: Serious instances of cirrhosis require instant medical attention.

Natural Cures

Aromatherapy: Juniper, rosemary oil, and rose essential natural oils can all help stimulate liver performance.

Detoxification: Liver function can also be impaired by a toxic intestine. For this reason, intestinal cleansing and rejuvenation techniques may be extremely important. In serious cases, repeat the intestinal cleanse once every month, or as needed, and focus on health digestive nutrition for up to one year depending on the severity of your condition as well as your response to treatment.

Diet: Diet is extremely important in preventing and reversing all forms of liver disease, including cirrhosis. Eat a low-protein, whole-foods diet of an organic nature, including seeds, nuts, whole grains, beans, nut products, and goat or whole milk, and also eat plenty of leafy green vegetables. Avoid all alcohol and processed fats such as margarine, hydrogenated oils, as well as hardened vegetable fats. Instead, use fresh healthy oils such as extra-virgin olive oil. Also increase your consumption of meals high in proteins and potassium, such as nut products, seeds, plums, raisins, rice, wheat bran, kelp, dulse, brewer`s yeast, and molasses, and consume plenty of pure, filtered water. Avoid animal protein in addition to raw fish, and limit your overall intake of fish.

Also, avoid stressing the liver through overeating, drugs, eating a highly processed diet (particularly one full of processed fats, additives and preservatives), and foods high in animal proteins. Avoid chemicals which contain toxins and must be processed through the liver, these include alcoholic beverages, drugs, acetaminophen, insecticides, and other environmental chemicals. Toxins from Candida yeast microorganisms within the body can also contribute to liver problems, as can the use of contraceptives.

Herbs: Milk thistle is an excellent herb for the treatment of cirrhosis because it helps liver cells regenerate. It may be taken in the form of tablets or the extract called a glyceride. The actual dose is based upon the content of silymarin (the active ingredient of milk thistle) thus standardized extracts are more suitable. The typical dose range is between 70-200mg. of silymarin daily. The herb Picrorhiza kurroa isn’t as well-known as milk thistle, but has similar effects. Licorice can also be helpful. The Chinese herb bupleurum (chai-hu) may also be helpful, as can the herbal mixture of kutki (200 mg), shanka pushpi (500 milligrams), and guduchi (300 milligrams), with can be used by professionals of Ayurvedic medicine to boost liver perform. Take 1-4 tsp. of the mixture twice per day, following lunch and dinner.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, vapor baths, bathhouses, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for dealing with a wide range of problems and can easily be used in the home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physiotherapists and Day Spas use Hydrotherapy as part of treatment. All of us suggest several at-home hydrotherapy treatments. Please seek the advice of your alternative health care practitioner before attempting these methods to make sure they are appropriate for you.

*Purified water is important for any hydrotherapy treatment. Treatments for purifying bath water include clear instructions and recommendations.

Juice Therapy: The following juices can help the liver get rid of toxins: Beet and carrot juice with wheat grass liquid. To flavorize juice, you can add raw flaxseed oil and garlic to make it more tolerable.

Nutritional Supplementation: Lipotrophic nutrients are essential for aiding the livers function. These include vitamin C, vitamin E, silymarin, lipoic acid, and raw liver tablets. Additional useful nutrients include vitamin B complicated, vitamin B12, folic acid, niacin (in small doses, 10-30mg. 3 times daily ), liver glandulars, digestive system enzymes along with hydrochloric acid (HCL), ox bile extract, and the amino acids M-methionine, L–carnitine, L-cysteine, L–glutathione, and L–arginine.

Caution: For all instances of liver disease, do not use more than 10,000 IU of vitamin A daily and steer clear of cod and liver oil completely.

Alternative Professional Care

If your symptoms persist despite following the remedies listed above, seek the assistance of a competent health professional. The following professional therapies have been shown to be useful for dealing with and reducing the signs of cirrhosis: Traditional Chinese medicine, Cell Therapy, Detoxification Treatment, Magnetic Area Therapy, Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Reflexology, and Qigong. (See Glossary for descriptions of these Alternative Treatments).