Cirrhosis - Liver Disease

Cirrhosis signifies a group of chronic liver diseases that causes a hardening and inflammation of the liver itself.

One of the most classic symptoms of liver damage is fatigue. When the liver can't perform it's functions, and it has many, i.e., the production of bilirubin which gives stool its color, and the metabolic action of turning sugar into glycogen, filtering of blood and the production of bile, which helps digest fat-soluble vitamins and helps in the digestion of fat in general.

Cirrhosis has a very long period of time where there are no easily recognizable symptoms. The early signs are itching, constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, rashes with no discernable cause and a white color, or varied colors of the stools, indigestion and sometimes fever. When the symptoms do start to make themselves known they will include jaundice (skin with a yellow tone to it), vomiting blood, abdominal swelling, and some swelling just in general. If it is advanced enough it could result in death or coma.

Another form of this disease, cirrhosis, is known as biliary cirrhosis, this affects the bile ducts, then moves into the liver and its cause or causes are unknown. It is found mostly in women 35-60 years of age; and at least 30% have no symptoms and discover the disease through abnormal blood tests. Up to 50% will have symptoms of a rash, and/or itching that cannot be relieved by scratching, so don't scar yourself because that will be the result. You might want to seek out medical attention just to relieve the itching that will probably be one of the things that will get you into a doctor to begin with. And another 50% will have an enlarged and tender liver at the time of the diagnosis, and maybe also an enlarged spleen. Other signs of biliary cirrhosis include kidney, bone and nerve disease, yellow stools and clubbing of nails.

Cirrhosis has several causes; most pharmaceutical drugs when taken consistently can cause liver disease and a toxic bowel can also cause it. If you are taking medications have your liver function monitored regularly by your doctor and consider other more natural options that could reduce the need for medications.

Some Aromatherapy that may help is: Rosemary, juniper and rose essential oils can help to stimulate the liver function.

Because a toxic bowel can impair liver function a bowel cleansing is important. In cases that are severe repeat the bowel cleanse at least once a month, and take bowel nutrients for at least one year, depending of course on the severity of the condition.

Diet is going to be extremely significant in reversing or preventing cirrhosis or other forms of liver disease. Your diet should be one of organic whole foods, low protein, nuts, whole grains, seeds, and rice or goat milk, and plenty of leafy green vegetables. Avoid alcohol, all of it, and processed fats such as hydrogenated oils, margarine, and avoid foods with these types of oils, avoid rancid oils and hardened vegetable fats. Increase the foods high in potassium and amino acids; use cold-processed oils like olive oil, increase your intake of bananas, rice, raisins, kelp, wheat bran, brewer's yeast, dulse, molasses and drink plenty of pure filtered water. Also stay away from undercooked or raw fish and animal protein - and really just limit your overall intake of fish.

Avoid those things that stress the liver, such as drugs, a diet high in processed foods, fats, additives and preservatives, one that is high in animal protein, alcohol, toxins, insecticides and in some cases avoid the use of contraceptives.

Some of the herbs that can help are milk thistle, it helps the liver cells regenerate. It can be taken in the non-alcohol extract called glycerate, or in the form of tablets. The common dose is in the range of 70-200 mg of silymarin daily. Silymarin is the active ingredient of milk thistle. Picrorhiza kurroa is not as well known as milk thistle but is similar in its effect, and licorice is also helpful. Bupleurum (chai-hu), a chinese herb also helpful and an herbal mixture of kutki (200 mg), guduchi (300 mg), and shanka pushpin (500 mg). Take 翹 teaspoon of this blend once after lunch and once after dinner with some aloe vera juice.

Ask your natural healthcare practitioner about hydrotherapy, which is the application of steam, water, ice, cold and hot temperatures to restore and maintain health.

The juice that will help the liver to eliminate toxins is beet, wheat grass and carrot juice. You can also add raw flaxseed oil and garlic.

The supplements to enhance liver function are: Vitamin C, E, raw liver tablets, silymarin, and lipoic. Also vitamin B complex, B12, niacin (in 10-30 mg. servings 3 times per day), and folic acid, digestive enzymes with hydrochloric acid and ox bile extract and the amino acids of L-carnitine, L-glutathione, L-methionine and L-arginine.

A Word of Caution: Do not use more than 10,000 Iu of vitamin A and avoid cod liver oil completely.?