Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

Treatment of Urticarial Vasculitis Through Ayurveda

Urticarial Vasculitis: Abstract

In patients affected by UV, the small vessels of the skin get inflamed. The inflammation triggers an urticarial eruption, marked by red patches or weals (lesions/plaques) on the skin. The patches or weals can lead to itchy skin, burning sensation, and pain. The health complications commonly linked to UV include skin pigmentation and, in some cases, skin ulcers. In addition, patients severely affected by the disease may suffer from lung damage, eye problems, kidney complications, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Urticarial Vasculitis: Introduction

Urticarial vasculitis (UV) is a rare form of cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis which is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels, thereby causing damage to vital organs and tissues because of restricted blood flow.

The eruptions normally last for more than one day at a specific site on the skin, and gradually resolve on their own. Due to the eruptions, the skin can appear discolored or hyperpigmented during the healing process.

Urticarial vasculitis can generally be categorized into two types, based on whether the levels of complement proteins are found to be normal or low on blood testing. :

Symptoms of Urticarial Vasculitis

The Two Types of UV are

Normocomplementaemic: Urticarial Vasculitis

This is mostly a less severe occurrence of UV, with a normal level of complement proteins. The condition does not usually have any systemic involvement (that is, it does not affect multiple organs).

Hypocomplementaemic: Urticarial Vasculitis

This is a more severe form of UV, with low levels of complement proteins. The condition has systemic involvement. The organs that get affected because of this kind of UV include the lungs, joints, kidneys, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract. This type of UV is also associated with the connective tissue disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Urticarial Vasculitis: Causes

In a majority of UV cases, the exact cause of the disease is not known. Nonetheless, some of the perceived conditions triggering the disease are:

  • Viral disease or an infection like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis)
  • A drug reaction
  • Leukemia and internal cancers
  • Inflammatory connective disorders like SLE and Sjögren syndrome
  • Immunoglobulin diseases like immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M monoclonal gammopathies.

Urticarial Vasculitis: Symptoms

The early symptoms of Urticarial vasculitis (UV) are skin patches or lesions. In patients affected by a severe form of UV, there can be some other symptoms as well, which can involve other organs. These symptoms are:

  • Fever
  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Swollen lymph glands
  • Pain in the joints
  • Swelling of tissues under the skin
  • Shortness of breath
  • Eye inflammation
  • Kidney inflammation
  • Cardiac disorder.

Urticarial Vasculitis: Treatment

Urticarial vasculitis (UV) can be a chronic illness that can be difficult to treat, and may even cause serious health problems. Hence, the patients affected by the condition require constant medical care.

The Treatment of Urticarial Vasculitis(UV) depends on the severity of the condition and the extent to which it affects other organs. Generally, doctors prescribe the use of antihistamines or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to the patients, for relieving UV symptoms. In severe cases, corticosteroids may be prescribed.

Urticarial vasculitis (UV) can also be managed in a safe and natural manner with the help of herbal/Ayurvedic products. Some extremely beneficial herbal products for managing the condition are available from Planet Ayurveda herbal manufacturing company. These products, prepared under the guidance of renowned Ayurveda practitioners, include:

Treatment of Urticarial Vasculitis(UV)

Herbal Remedies for Urticarial Vasculitis(UV)

Aller-G Care Capsules

The preparation of these capsules involves the use of potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy herbs, including Haridra (Turmeric Rhizome – Curcuma Longa), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Neem (Azadirachta Indica), and Shirish (Albizia lebbeck).

The use of Aller-G Care capsules can benefit patients suffering from UV because the herbal components have the ability to reduce inflammation and pain, support healthy lungs, relieve chronic allergies, strengthen the immune system, treat skin disorders, and eliminate toxins from the body.

Gandhak Rasayan

A combination of several herbs and other natural ingredients is mixed with Shuddh Gandhak (Purified Sulphur) for preparing these tablets. The ingredients include Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Patra (Cinnamomum tamala), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Nagakeshara (Mesua ferrea),Shunti (Zingiber officinalis), Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba), Sita (Sugar Syrup), and Godugdha (Cow milk).

The ingredients of these tablets have antiviral, antibacterial, antipruritic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These tablets can benefit people suffering from UV because the herbal components can treat skin ailments, relieve burning sensation, manage fungal infections, manage chronic fever, purify the blood, and balance the body’s Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha.

Pitta Balance Capsules

An extremely beneficial combination of herbal ingredients is used for the preparation of these capsules. The ingredients include Giloy satva (extract of Tinospora cordifolia), Praval Pishti (Coral Calcium), Akik Pishti (Agate Calcium), Mukta Pishti (Pearl Calcium), Jawar Mohra Pishti (Ayurvedic Calcium compound), and Kamdhudha Ras (Ayurvedic Calcium compound).

These capsules are beneficial for managing UV because the components have the ability to keep the skin healthy, promote the functioning of the immune system, support the digestive system, purify the blood, control blood pressure, relieve muscular cramps, and balance Pitta dosha.

Kamdudha Ras

This amazing herbal supplement is prepared from several herbal and mineral ingredients known for their medicinal value. The ingredients include Amrutha satva (extract of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Svarna Gairika, Moti pishti (Pearl Calcium powder), Praval pishti (Coral Calcium), Mukta Shukti pishti (Pearl Calcium), Kapardik bhasma (Cowrie bhasma), Shankh bhasma (Conch shell calx).

Kamdudha Ras has wide-ranging medicinal properties, which include anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, antacid, antiemetic, anti-hyperglycemic, mild febrifuge, antioxidant, and anti-vertigo properties. The use of this herbal supplement can benefit the patients suffering from UV because of the proven abilities of the ingredients to treat several health problems, including chronic fever, digestive disorders, vomiting, nausea, burning sensation, vertigo, debility, dizziness, restlessness, excessive sweating, and bleeding tendencies. The product also supports overall female health, maintains healthy blood sugar levels, and balances Pitta dosha.

Conclusion

The herbal products offered by Planet Ayurveda for managing Urticarial vasculitis (UV) are 100% pure and natural formulations that do not contain any chemicals, preservatives, additives, binders, fillers, or artificial colors. The use of the products has immense medicinal significance for UV patients. Nonetheless, the products should be used by the patients in consultation with an Ayurveda expert.

What are The Stages of Liver Failure? – Its Ayurvedic Treatment

Abstract

The Liver is a vital organ and performs various functions like help in digestion and boost immunity. Liver failure is when the liver is not able to perform its function easily. Liver Failure has 4 stages but the symptoms are misunderstood with various other liver diseases due to which the problem increases. We have discussed 4 different stages of liver failure, causes of liver failure, various signs and symptoms, some effective herbal remedies, and some home remedies are also shared which can help in boosting liver functions.

Introduction

The Liver performs various functions like making blood proteins that aid in clotting, transporting oxygen and supporting the immune system. Consumption of Alcohol, genetics, and infections can all result in liver disease or damage. Liver failure happens when the liver is not able to work well to perform its functions properly. Liver failure can be acute or chronic. In the acute liver, failure liver stops working in a few days but in chronic liver failure occurs gradually over time due to some disease. According to the CDC (centers for disease control and preventions) cases of liver failure increased by 31% (from 20.1 per 100,000 to 26.4) between 2000 to 2015 among the age group of 45-64 years. For the age group of 45-64 years is increased by 21% for men (from 29.8 to 36.2) and 57% for women (from 10.8 to 17.0). Among the age group of 25-44 years, is decreased by 10% (from 6.1 to 5.5) for men and increased by 18% (from 2.8 to 3.3). 1

Stages of Liver Failure

Ayurvedic Aspect of Liver Failure

Ayurveda is a traditional and ancient form of medicine. Ayurveda believes in the balance of body, mind, and soul. This balance depends on the balance of Dosha Vata, Pitta, Kapha. The Balance between these three Dosha is believed to be a healthy state of body but in an imbalance of these dosha leads to various problems like; Liver is a place of Pitta dosha.

Skin inflammations are Pitta-based problems which can be the result of liver imbalance. The liver is made up of five bhutaagnis (digestive fire) that are similar to the five elements of prithvi (earth), water (Jaal), Agni (fire), Vayu (air), Akasha (space), each Agni is specializing in digestion of that particular element in the food and helps in transforming Rasa Dhatu (clear part of plasma) into blood tissue. If digestive fire flame burns too high or low then Rasa Dhatu will not be able to convert into blood tissue, and toxins will start entering the blood.

This all process is governed by Pitta Dosha, if Pitta is not balanced then it can affect the blood and skin which result in inflammatory problems like; acne, cold sores, etc. toxins will start storing in the liver can lead to allergic problems, hypoglycemia, constipation, fatigue, etc. if the imbalance in Pitta dosha continues for longer duration it will lead to serious diseases of liver, like; hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, or liver failure.

Stages of Liver Failure

There are 4 Different Stages of Liver Failure

1. Inflammation

The first sign of liver failure is inflammation in the liver. When your immune system responds to foreign substances it results in inflammation in the liver. A condition that causes inflammation is fatty liver, hepatitis including autoimmune hepatitis. Sometimes the liver shows some symptoms like pain in the stomach in the liver area or sometimes feels the heat in the area. But in some cases there no such signs. If liver disease is diagnosed at this stage it can be treated successfully and inflammation goes away.

2.  Fibrosis

If the inflamed liver is left untreated it will cause the liver to scar. These scar tissues replace healthy liver tissue. This process is called fibrosis. The liver is not able to work properly because scar tissue is not able to work as healthy tissue. When the liver is not able to work properly then toxins and fat cells start building up in the liver which can block blood flow to the organ. At this stage, the liver can be treated successfully.

3.   Cirrhosis

If the stage of fibrosis is left untreated then the patient is at risk of the next stage called cirrhosis which means severe scarring of the liver. At this stage soft healthy tissue replace by hard scar tissue.Cirrhosis can lead to various complications, including liver cancer.

There are Various Symptoms of Cirrhosis

  • Water may build up in your legs or abdomen.
  • The skin may become itchy.
  • The Patient may bleed or bruise easily
  • Skin and eyes may become yellow color, a condition called jaundice
  • Toxins can be build up in your brain, causing problems in concentration, sleeping, memory or other mental functions
  • Blood vessels leading to liver, blood may back up due to blockage.

Cirrhosis may lead to several complications including liver cancer. In the stage of cirrhosis, the focus is to control the progress of the scarring and treat severe symptoms and complications.

4.  End-stage Liver Disease

If the cirrhosis stage is left untreated it will lead to liver failure. In this stage, the liver lost its ability to function and not able to heal itself. Liver failure can be acute or chronic. Acute liver failure strike just in 48 hours as a reaction of a drug overdose or poison. Chronic liver failure is the result of cirrhosis of years. Liver failure gets worse, it can affect mentally and physically. The Patient may feel confused and disoriented. The Patient may experience diarrhea, weight loss rapidly or loss of appetite these symptoms can cause by various other factors so it is difficult to diagnose liver failure.When the liver failure stage is diagnosed patient should get treated as soon as possible.

Types of Liver Failure

Liver failure is a life-threatening emergency. It can be either Acute or Chronic

Acute: The liver stops working within a few days. Most people who get acute liver failure don’t have any disease or problem before this event.

Chronic: The liver failure occurs gradually over time due to some diseases like; hepatitis B and C virus.

Causes of Liver Failure

  • Wilson’s Disease: this is a genetic disease prevents the body from removing copper. Copper builds up and damage your liver.
  • Septic Shock: shock can impair blood flow to the liver, which causes liver failure.
  • Acute fatty liver in pregnancy: it is a rare condition, accumulation of excess fat on the liver it will damage it
  • Hepatitis virus: Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis E can cause liver failure.
  • Toxins: toxins that can cause acute liver failure which include the poisonous wild mushroom Amanita phalloides, which is sometimes mistaken for one that is safe to eat.
  • Autoimmune disorders : where the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue.
  • Buud-Chiari syndrome: this is a rare disease that narrows and blocks the blood vessels of the liver.
  • Alcohol : long term consumption of alcohol leads to cirrhosis.

Symptoms of Liver Failure

Symptoms of Liver Failure

The early symptoms of liver failure are similar to other liver diseases. The liver failure is difficult to diagnose if can be misunderstood with various other liver problems:

Early Symptoms Are

  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bruising
  • Itching

As liver failure continues, then these symptoms become more severe. These severe symptoms are:

  • Vomiting
  • Dark urine color
  • Pale stool color
  • Yellowing of skin and eyes, jaundice
  • Ascites
  • Mental confusion
  • Vomiting blood

Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda believes in treating people according to Ayurvedic principles. These herbal remedies are derived from natural herbs then these herbs are prepared according to Ayurvedic principles without any chemical or preservative use. These remedies are 100% safe and have no side effects on the patient’s health. These remedies help in the balance of Dosha.

Planet Ayurveda provides Liver Care Pack for liver Problems.

Liver Care Pack

Treatment of Liver Failure

 Liver Care Pack Includes the Following Products

  1. Echinacea Capsules
  2. Yakrit Plihanatak Churna
  3. Phyllanthus Niruri
  4. Liver Detox Capsules

1.  Echinacea Capsules

This is very effective for the liver. This herb detoxifies the blood which helps in removing toxins from uric acid, urea, and high cholesterol from the blood which helps in improving the liver function. This herb helps in boosting the immune system.

Dosage: 2 Capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

2.  Yakrti Plihantak Churna:

This churna is a mixture of various herbs like Makoy, Kalmegh, Sharpunkha, Bhringraj, etc. it helps in clearing toxins from the liver. This churna helps in regenerates the liver cells and helps in preventing liver failure. It helps in the production of bile and improves liver functions.

Dosage:  boil the 1 teaspoonful of churna in 400ml water, keep boiling until it remains 50 ml. Strain it and drink it. Use fresh preparation every time.

3. Phyllanthus Niruri:

It acts as a liver cleansing which helps in reducing some effects of modern medicines. This herbal remedy helps in cleansing the liver and also rejuvenates the liver with protection.

Dosage:  2 Capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Liver Detox Capsules

It is a combination of various herbs like Katuki, Kalmegh, Makoy, Biranjaispha, etc. it helps in balancing Pitta Dosha which helps in relief from liver problems. It helps in detoxifies toxins from the liver which helps to boost liver functioning.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

Home Remedies for Liver Failure

Home Remedies that Help in Detoxify the liver and boost its functions are:

1.Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Having ACV right before a meal helps in metabolizing the fat. Use: Add 1 tablespoon of ACV in a glass of water.

2. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

Amla is rich in Vitamin C and it helps in detoxifying the liver toxins.

3. Turmeric

It is helpful in preventions the growing virus which leads to hepatitis B and C which affects the liver.

4. Spinach and Carrot Juices

it helps in reducing the symptoms of liver infections.  This juice is very helpful in cirrhosis.

5. Flax Seeds

It helps in balancing hormones from the circulating blood.

6. Avocado

Avocado is rich in healthy fats and rich in fibers. It helps in the removal of harmful toxins.

7. Nut

Consuming nuts helps in improving liver enzymes levels in patients.

Conclusion

The liver is a vital organ and performs various important functions but various lifestyle and diet modifications lead to various liver problems. By taking herbal remedies one can boost liver health.

Reference

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/deaths.htm.