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This a liver disease
characterized by a gradual annihilation of the liver cells. These cells are
progressively replaced with fibrous tissue, which then leads to hardening. Cirrhosis
is irreversible chronic injury of the liver. It often has no symptoms. Your
health care provider will diagnose cirrhosis based on your medical history, a physical
examination, and laboratory tests.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of cirrhosis can
range from an absence of symptoms (in 10 to 20 percent of patients) to liver
failure. Cirrhosis can also have symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the
skin), weight loss, abdominal pain, testicular atrophy (in men), menstrual
irregularity (in women), swelling and fluid in the abdomen, and enlarged veins.
Usually no symptoms
appear until the disease has entered the late stages as the disease tends to
come on gradually. When they occur, symptoms can include:
-
nausea, vomiting,
and loss of appetite.
-
unusual gain or
loss of weight.
-
yellow coloration
of the skin and eyes (see Jaundice).
-
dark urine.
-
bloody, black
stools, or unusually light-colored stools.
-
vomiting of blood.
-
thinning hair
-
abdominal swelling.
-
itching.
-
swollen feet or
legs.
-
red palms.
-
sleep disturbances
and confusion.
-
fatigue or loss of
stamina.
-
enlarged breasts in
men.
-
loss of sex drive
and menstrual problems in women.
-
spider like blood
vessels on chest and shoulders.
-
in severe cases,
mental disturbances
Causes
The most common cause of cirrhosis is
alcoholism. Consuming a lot of alcohol daily (32 to 48 oz. of beer, 4 to 8 oz.
of liquor, 16 to 32 oz. of wine) for 10 years or more increases your chances of
developing cirrhosis. How much alcohol you drink and for how long are more
important than the type of alcohol ingested. Between 5 and 10 percent of people
in the United States are alcoholics. Of these, 10 to 15 percent will develop
liver disease. Cirrhosis can also be caused by the ingestion of drugs and
toxins, infections, inherited medical conditions, and cardiovascular diseases.
About 10 percent of cases have no known cause.
Herbs
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine
extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas
should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10
minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups
per day.
Due to the high doses required and the need to avoid alcohol, the preferred
form of these herbs is powdered.
- Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): 100 mg three times per day
prevents free radical damage in the liver.
- Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): 250 to 500 mg per day corrects
metabolic abnormalities in liver cirrhosis.
- Catechin (Uncaria gambir): 400 mg three times per day, is
antioxidant, antiviral, and helps regenerate liver tissue.
Homeopathic
remedies for Cirrhosis of Liver
Chelidonium majus: A prominent liver remedy,
covering many of the direct reflex symptoms of diseased
conditions of that organ. The jaundiced skin, and especially
the constant pain under inferior angle of right scapula,
are certain indications.
Taraxacum officinale: Characteristically mapped tongue
and jaundiced skin.
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