Let’s talk about a disease that is becoming common among all, kids, adults, and elders. Usually, it remains asymptomatic until it becomes severe.
Let us give you a hint about this disease
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It affects the second largest organ of your body.
Yes! The liver!
Today, we will discuss liver cirrhosis which is one of the later stages of fatty liver and usually arises if no medical action is taken timely.
Besides just the meaning, we will also provide you with detailed information about liver cirrhosis, its stages, different symptoms, and how choosing Ayurvedic treatment for liver cirrhosis can help you immensely.
So without any further ado, let’s get straight into this:
What are the 4 stages of liver cirrhosis?
While looking at the stage-wise progression, the experts have classified liver cirrhosis stages into major 4, namely: (i) Hepatitis (also called Steatosis), (ii) Fibrosis (also known as Scarring), (iii) Cirrhosis, and (iv) Liver failure.
Some experts argue that there exist only 2 stages of it, Compensated cirrhosis, and Decompensated cirrhosis. A brief about all these stages is as follows:
(i) First Stage: Hepatitis
That’s the very first stage of liver cirrhosis and is also known as steatosis. It is mainly characterized by the inflammation of the bile duct or liver tissues. Such inflammation either could be a response to poor dietary choices, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, medication, or injury.
Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Upper right abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice
- Dark and smelly urine
Often it is reversible with some liver healing medicines, healthy dietary changes, and lifestyle adjustments.
(ii) Second Stage: Fibrosis
When you take no due medical assistance during the first stage, i.e.; steatosis, the liver concern may progress to the second stage, called fibrosis. At this point, the vitality of your liver starts to decline as the inflammation or scarring has started to disturb the smooth flow of blood in your liver.
Symptoms:
- Right hypochondrium pain
- Explained skin bruises
- Bleeding gums and nasals
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Reduced appetite
- Frequent vomiting or nausea
- Yellow eyes and sclera
The condition seems serious, but you don’t have to worry much if you opt for Ayurveda. There exist countless wonderful remedies for liver cirrhosis that can help with liver cell regeneration and completely reverse this condition.
(iii) Third Stage: Cirrhosis
Here comes the subsequent result of your negligence towards seeking medical assistance, or the ignorance towards a healthy diet, active lifestyle, and timely medication.
It is a severe condition, where the scars replace the healthy tissues of your liver and start to cause permanent damage. The liver becomes stiff, hard, and lumpy and also its functioning is not up to the satisfactory mark. Because the scarring has obstructed the blood flow to the liver through the portal vein.
Symptoms:
- Spider-shaped blood vessels
- Red palms & muscle wasting
- Fatigue and weakness
- Liver shrinkage
- Yellow eyes (jaundice)
- Nasal bleeding
- Continuous weight loss
- Constipation/diarrhea
Significant Note ➡ Well, the stage of irreversible means you can not completely cure the condition. But yes! Your commitment towards healthy dietary changes, timely medications, and an active lifestyle can surely help you to slow down the progression of the damage and prevent future serious consequences.
(iv) Fourth Stage: Liver Failure
As we have mentioned seeking medical treatment becomes a necessity during the 3rd stage. But still, if patients don’t follow the humble advice, they eventually have to deal with the fourth stage, called liver failure.
Symptoms:
- Jaundice
- Fluid buildup
- Pain below the ribs
- Dark urine and pale stool
- Bloating, nausea, and vomits
- Persisting fatigue
- Bruising and bleeding
- Confusion
- Indigestion
The stage indicates that the liver has stopped functioning and now, liver transplant is the only option left. It is a gradual process where patients are highly advised for a timely liver transplant, otherwise, death is also possible.
Compensated Cirrhosis and Decompensated Cirrhosis
Often people are confused about whether there exist 4 stages of liver cirrhosis But let us today, clear up your confusion. In fact, both the statements are right!
How❓
The two stages, namely compensated and decompensated are the combined version of the 4 stages that are mentioned above, where stages 1 and 2 fall under section compensated and stages 3 and 4 into decompensated sections.
Compensated Cirrhosis: During this, doubtlessly, your liver is damaged but still, your condition is not severe. The body has the capacity to heal itself and compensate for the liver damage.
Decompensated Cirrhosis: Here comes the 3rd and onward stages where the damage is severe and the condition is intense. The body is not in a state to heal itself or compensate for any liver damage.
Ayurvedic Philosophy
In the realm of Ayurveda, liver cirrhosis falls under the umbrella of Yakriti roga. The problem is seen more in folk who are of pitta-pradhan prakriti because this dosha is the main governor of the liver and any aggravation of it simply affects its normal functioning.
Besides that, tamsik ahaara (poor diet), madira (alcohol), and sahasa (stress) are considered some other contributory factors that are responsible for this vikaara (disease).
Ayurvedic Treatment to Boost Liver Health
The use of herbs, simple home remedies, dietary changes/precautions, lifestyle adjustments, and stress-managing therapies have shown multiple positive results among patients dealing with all liver diseases including liver cirrhosis. Here’s a brief about what Ayurvedic treatment for liver cirrhosis mainly incorporates:
Herbs for inner cleansing
You will surely find it fascinating that the common finds that you use in your routine meals or household can also be used for liver cirrhosis.
Bringraj, guduchi, triphala, haridra, kutki, amla, mulethi, and punarnava are some liver-friendly herbs that are used to slow down the progression of liver cirrhosis.
Boosting overall wellness through dietary changes
Diet shares a direct link with your overall physical and mental health. It not only provides the essential nutrients required for the body but also gives it the energy to stay active throughout.
Often patients, either intentionally or unknowingly, consume certain products that adversely affect their liver health and functioning. It mainly includes fried, spicy, oily, processed, stale, frozen, and even excessive dairy products and non-vegetarian food items that should be excluded from the diet of a patient with liver disease.
Then what to eat?
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Salads and juices to the maximum
- Coconut water and pulp
- Vitamin-C-enriched foods
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Herbal drinks of ginger, pepper, cumin, parsley, etc.
Lifestyle changes for strong digestion & optimal liver health
Not just the medicines and dietary changes, but there is a great need to make healthy alterations in your routine lifestyle if you want to boost liver health. Below are some changes that are made mandatory for liver cirrhosis patients.
- Quit alcohol and smoking
- Drink more water for the smooth elimination of wastes
- Say no to tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks
- Limit your salt intake
- Incorporate yoga or mild exercises into the routine
- Daily meditation for 5-7 minutes
Well, the above-mentioned tips, remedies, and suggestions can help patients immensely. But still, make sure that you consult a healthcare professional or Ayurvedic practitioner (vaidya) before actually incorporating them into your routine.
The best treatment for liver Diseases at Dr. Sharda Ayurveda
Firstly, a clinical examination of the patient is done along with all the required blood tests and other necessary reports. Thereafter, while considering the body prakriti, age, gender, and past medical history of the patient, Ayurvedic medicines, dietary advice, and lifestyle suggestions are given accordingly.
The patients even in the afterward stages have provided feedback that they have felt relief and the Ayurvedic treatment has helped them a lot in the successful management of their liver cirrhosis.
So, no matter at what stage of liver cirrhosis you are, you can still hold the Ayurveda and it will never disappoint you.
