Dr. Vikram Chauhan, Author at Dr. Vikram Chauhan's Blog

Types of Liver Diseases and Its Treatment in Ayurveda

One of the most important organs of our body without which, survival is not possible. The weight of the liver is 3 pounds, and it is normally the size of a football. As living with one kidney is possible, but without the proper functioning of the liver is never possible.

The main role of liver in our body is to filter the impure blood or detoxification of blood and its part to play role in the digestive system and in metabolism cannot be ignored, as metabolic processes of the body is handled by the liver, like breaking down of the substances during digestion, it removes the toxins from the body, extracting chemical energy from the body and converting it into mechanical energy.

liver function

It is the storehouse of vitamins, minerals, and proteins when our body needs these vitamins and minerals it releases them according to the need.The liver when receives blood from the digestive organs, it then converts blood into purifying form.

All these liver functions (purification and storing) is done by liver cells known as “hepatocytes”. Hepatocyte filter and accepts this blood. The Liver receives the blood means which part of nutrients should remain and how much waste should be discarded via stool. What should be stored in the liver like glycogen form of Breakdown of fats is the handiwork of liver, as the liver breaks them down for proper utilization of fats and it stores them as well for releasing of energy.

Bile, which plays an important role in our digestive system is also the product of the liver, which produces 800 to 1000 milliliters of bile per day. Bile duct, which is part of our digestive system, which helps in breaking down of fats is transported through the bile duct to the small intestine for a further breakdown of fats.

Liver when breaks down the proteins, the by product which remains is called ammonia. The Liver turns this toxic ammonia into a substance called urea. The liver releases this into the blood where the kidneys excrete it via urine.

Liver also helps in breaking down of many others in organic things like synthetic medications, alcohol. The liver has many jobs to do for us to remain healthy as enhancing the immunity and helps the immune system to fight against infections, creating proteins that help in the clotting of the blood.

Blood cells, which are not in use are also broken down by the liver. It also works as a storehouse for the storage of unused blood sugar in the form of glycogen.

It is a regenerator for itself; means it regenerates as it has the capacity to grow into itself, as after surgery or injury the removal of tissue from liver starts growing back to a certain extent. The existing cells make the liver grow back and new liver cells start to multiply. It is amazing fact that in duration, just within 7 days, even after removing 2 third of the liver, the liver regain to its original position.

The diseases which affects the liver

Billary Atresia

This is a condition which targets infants, it should be treated timely if it is not treated, the condition can cause liver scarring and it can affect liver tissue.

Hepatitis A

Viral hepatitis is a viral infection due to which inflammation occurs in the liver. The reason for this disease is the lack of clean drinking water and poor sanitation conditions. This condition prevails in unhygienic conditions. Cleanliness is the only key to getting out of this situation.

Hepatitis B

This is the disease which can affect liver badly; the reason for this disease is sexual contact. Contaminated needles, when exchanged with an infected person, or accidentally injecting themselves with a contaminated needle, who is already suffering from this problem can also be the reason of this disease breakout. It is a dangerous disease as it can cause the failure of liver and cancer.

Auto Immune Hepatitis

This condition causes the body’s immune system to attack itself and it starts destroying healthy liver tissues.

Cirrhosis

It is a condition where scar tissues replace healthy liver tissues. Many conditions can cause cirrhosis like consuming alcohol for a long period of time in excess and genetic disorder like Wilson`s disease can also be the reason for this disease to occur.

Symptoms of liver conditions

There are many liver diseases; they have just begin with flu kind of signs and symptoms, but progress to more sever signs of liver damages, like dark color urine and jaundice.

These are the liver disease symptoms

Nose bleeding
Vomiting
Pain in joints
Fatigue
Low sex drive
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Itchiness in the skin
Stomach discomfort or pain
Blood vessels on the skin which become abnormal

Ayurvedic treatment for liver diseases

agni-ayurveda

Agni (Digestive Fire)

It is the fire which is metabolic fire to digest the food. When it is disturbed, a digestion process also gets disturbed. Pitta dosha when gets aggravated, it creates problems in digestion.

cleansing liver

Cleansing Liver Foods

To draw toxins from the body and excess of 3 doshas like Vata,Pitta and Kappha out of the tissues and into the digestive tract so that they can be eliminated from the body. Ayurvedic employs diets and lifestyle therapies for their cleansing.

Herbal remedies

There are various herbal remedies that help improve liver functioning and prevent liver disease which are the following

Turmeric

pure-turmeric-powder-500x500

Studies show that usage of turmeric is the best herbal usage for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Burdock

It’s a root known as burdock root. Its antioxidants lessen the harmful effects of toxic substances formed from acetaminophen or other chemical-based medicines, which have many side effects.

Milk thistle

milk-thistle-seed-powder-organic

It is also very beneficial in people, especially those who are affected with cirrhosis of the liver. The use of milk thistle helps in reduction of liver-related diseases like hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Its usage can prevent the inflammation associated with hepatitis C and can protect against the damage to liver cells.

What are the Causes of Ganglion Cyst and Its treatment in Ayurveda

A Ganglion cyst is a common noncancerous colorless, jelly-like fluid lump found on joints or tendons. They can appear anywhere but mostly develop on the front or back of the wrist, feet, fingers, and areas where you had a tendon or joint injury.

These cysts resemble water balloons, they fluctuate in size and may eventually disappear completely. Small cysts can be pea-sized; while large can be around an inch in diameter. They can become painful if they press on a nearby nerve. Their location can sometimes interfere with joint movement. In case it becomes problematic doctor suggests a surgical way to remove it. But if not so troublesome there are some other ways to remove it.

ganglion cyst

CAUSES OF GANGLION CYST :

Such cysts may occur at any age but is more common in females. Factors that may increase your risk of having such cysts include:

Age and sex: common amongst females of 20 to 40 age group.
Osteoarthritis: People who have wear and tear arthritis in the finger joints closest to their fingernails are at higher risk of developing ganglion cysts near those joints.
Joint or tendon injury: Have you had any injury of the joint or tendon in the past, then it is more likely to develop the cyst.
The size of the lump can vary, small not even detectable to large 1 inch in diameter. This round or oval cyst is generally small and not troublesome.
Painful, only if the cyst starts to press the nerve that will cause tingling numbness or muscle weakness.
Although they are filled with jelly-like fluid, they can be often hard.

Cysts at the far, frequently have arthritis associated with them. At this end knuckle, the overlying skin may become thin and there may be a lengthwise groove in the fingernail just beyond the cyst.

DIAGNOSIS:

The physician often asks for x-rays to look for evidence of problems in adjacent joints. Treatment can often be nonsurgical. Splints and anti-inflammatory medication to decrease pain associated with the activities. Sometimes the doctors do a small puncturing the cyst and pressing it but it recurs.

If the cysts reoccur or the nonsurgical option does not give relief then the doctors suggest surgery, which may sometime involve removing a portion of the joint capsule or tendon sheath. In the case of wrist ganglion, surgical treatment is generally successful. So it is highly recommended to see a doctor if you experience a noticeable lump or pain in your wrist, hand ankle or foot. So that it is diagnosed at an early stage and necessary treatment is given.

What is the difference between Ganglion cyst and Synovial cyst:

Ganglion cyst and Synovial cyst

A synovial cyst is a noncancerous small fluid-filled lump that generally has no symptoms but sometimes it causes Sciatica. Or spinal stenosis. A thin layer of tissue(synovium), which produces a special lubricating fluid, surrounds the joints in the lower back. As joint break’s down with age, the fluid can accumulate, forming an odontoid synovial cyst.
It may make walking difficult, pain in the lower back that spreads down in one or both legs, pain that eases with sitting and worsens withstanding. It is diagnosed with MRI scan only.

If it becomes really painful then the surgery might be recommended.

It is important to note that both cysts are different as the location of where they happen, differs. Another major difference is that ganglion cysts do not contain a lining of synovium cells.

Ganglion Cyst Treatment in Ayurveda

herbal Supplement

Kanchnaar Guggul:

Its is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, muscle relaxant and analgesic, thyroid stimulant. Kanchnaar Guggul is effective on tumors, cancers, cysts, polycystic kidney, liver cysts, goiter, boils, fistula, skin diseases, pros, and many more ailments. This is effective in uterine fibroids. It is used for weight loss as it has shudh (pure) guggul, which acts on the fat and melts it. In addition, it also helps in reducing stiffness, joint pain, and muscle weakness.

Manjistha Capsules:

The red knots on the roots of the plant are responsible for being the lymph mover and blood purifier. This plant is said to spread in the blood and skin like a vine and act as the best purifier though there are other red root plants as beetroot, this is considered to be best. Manjistha Capsules calms the aggravated Pitta and breakdown the kapha. Because of its effect on lymph this herb is considered to be best for the skin to clean and clear the color and texture.

Curcumin Capsules:

Curcumin Capsules contain bioactive compounds with medicinal properties. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, curcumin which is a family of ginger and widely used in Indian houses, boosts brain-derived neurotropic factors linked to brain functions.

RumoGin 5:

Haridra, Sonth, Shallaki, Maricha, Pippali.

Shallaki is famous amongst arthritis patients as it relieves swelling in joints. It prevents cell damage caused by free radicals due to RumoGin 5 antioxidant activity. RumoGin 5 neutralizes Vata dosha. All nausea, diarrhea, arthritis, Osteoarthritis is taken care of by the combination of hridra, shallaki, sonth etc.

Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

Types of Liver Diseases and Its Treatment in Ayurveda