THE ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY IN CIRRHOSIS OF LIVER

INTRODUCTION

What is cirrhosis of liver?

A chronic liver disease which ends up in scarring of liver . Cirrhosis of liver is a complications of many liver related disease.

How is liver cirrhosis developed ?

Cirrhosis of liver is a complication of untreated liver disease. The liver diseases which cause structural and functional abnormalities will produce inflammation and repair process . In this process many liver cells may die and replace scar tissue . To compensate the loss of affected cell, the unaffected liver cells will multiply and forms regenerative nodules in between the scar tissue ( Regenerative nodules ) .

Who has high risk ?

One may develop cirrhosis of liver if they are :

•Having a history of alcohol addiction

•Having a viral hepatitis - hepatitis c , hepatitis b

•Having a metabolic syndrome - obesity , type 2 diabetes mellitus

•older than 50 years of age

•Men has high risk than women

Is it life threatening?

Yes , liver cirrhosis is a life threatening condition as the formation of scarring lead to insufficient function of liver . The life expectancy in compensated liver cirrhosis ( patient don't have any symptoms) is 9- 12 years , in decompensated Liver cirrhosis ( patient has symptoms) 1 to 3 years

TYPES

Cirrhosis of liver is broadly classified into two based on aetiology and morphology

On basis of aetiology

•Alcoholic cirrhosis (the most common )

•Post-necrotic cirrhosis

•Biliary cirrhosis

•Pigment cirrhosis in haemochromatosis

•Cirrhosis in Wilson’s disease

•Cirrhosis in α-1-antitrypsin deficiency

•Cardiac cirrhosis

•Indian childhood cirrhosis

•Cirrhosis in autoimmune hepatitis

•Cirrhosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

•Miscellaneous forms of cirrhosis (metabolic, infectious, gastrointestinal, infiltrative) diseases

•Cryptogenic cirrhosis

On basis of morphology

•Micro nodular cirrhosis

•Macro nodular cirrhosis

•Mixed cirrhosis

CAUSES OF CIRRHOSIS OF LIVER

•Alcohol induced hepatitis - chronic alcohol abuse is the common cause of liver cirrhosis

•viral hepatitis: untreated hepatitis C and hepatitis B

•Non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) : It is related to metabolic factors like obesity, diabetes mellitus , high blood lipid. It is increasing in prevalence due to changing life style

•Toxic hepatitis : long consumption of certain medications and long term exposure to chemicals

•Genetic disorder : Wilson disease , glycogen storage disease , cystic fibrosis can cause liver damage

•Autoimmune disease: Biliary autoimmune disease such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

•Cardiovascular disease - like congestive cardiac failure (CCH)

STAGES OF LIVER CIRRHOSIS

EMOTIONAL CONFLICT BEHIND CIRRHOSIS OF LIVER

Cirrhosis of liver is an end stage disease in which the liver losses it’s ability to rejuvenate, likewise the patient suffering from cirrhosis of liver feels he is unable to grow , unable to rejuvenate and fit into new environment .

The person Is attached very much to his past and has a deep fear of change

The patient had feeling of “something was taken from him unfairly “ he suffered in his past a long time ago ,cirrhosis start to appear in the repair / acceptance phase of a conflict .

Another conflict related to cirrhosis of liver is haters towards toxic mother in Childhood or they may not know their origin , they may express “ I live without knowing where I come from “

It Is significant to release the repressed emotions of anger and resentment .

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms ( what the patient may experience)

• Nausea

• loss of appetite

• pain in upper abdomen

• weak tired or fatigue

• itching of skin without eruption

• dark urine

• light colored stool

• weight loss

Signs ( what the doctor sees )

•Jaundice ( yellow discoloration of sclera of eye )

• spider angioma ( small visible veins)

• palmar erythema (abnormal redness of palms)

• Hepatic encephalopathy - disoriented , confused , often mood change

• flapping tremor

ALARMING SIGNS

• Ascites ( fluid buildup in abdomen)

• Edema ( swelling of feet , hands , face )

• Breathing difficultly

• low urine output

• blood in urine

• blood in vomit

• coagulopathy - easy bleeding or bruises

COMPLICATIONS OF CIRRHOSIS OF LIVER

•Portal hypertension

•Ascites

•Prone to infections ( low WBC count )

•Splenomegaly ( enlargement of spleen)

•Malnutrition

•Bleeding and bruises

• Hepatic encephalopathy ( brain involvement)

• Fracture

• Risk of liver cancer

DIAGNOSIS

Cirrhosis of liver is diagnosed by signs and symptoms , medical history of the patient and laboratory investigations

Lab investigation

Lab investigations gives as evidence to diagnosis includes :

Blood investigation - Complete blood count (CBC) ,Liver function test (LFT) , electrolyte test, prothrombin time (PT )shows abnormality

Imaging techniques - ultrasound(USG), MRI , CT scan will show the gross idea of liver structure

Elastography is a specific test for measuring the level of fibrosis of liver

Biopsy - liver biopsy can conform the diagnosis

HOW HOMEOPATHY HELPS IN LIVER CIRRHOSIS?

•Homoeopathy provides an holistic approach considering patient’s physical ,mental and emotional disturbances to select a medicine .

•Homoeopathy has a great scope in treating cirrhosis of liver .

•Homoeopathy helps to control the progress of liver cirrhosis.

•It helps to increase the patient’s life expectancy .

•It helps to find out the root cause and provide treatment based on the cause.

•It helps to resolve emotional conflicts.

Dr Shahana BHMS