HOMOEOPATHY FOR FATTY LIVER

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. As the name implies, the main characteristic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is too much fat stored in liver cells.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a potentially serious form of the disease, is marked by liver inflammation, which may progress to scarring and irreversible damage. This damage is similar to the damage caused by heavy alcohol use. At its most severe, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly common around the world, especially in Western nations. In the United States, it is the most common form of chronic liver disease, affecting an estimated 80 to 100 million people.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs in every age group but especially in people in their 40s and 50s who are at high risk of heart disease because of such risk factors as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The condition is also closely linked to metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of abnormalities including increased abdominal fat, poor ability to use the hormone insulin, high blood pressure and high blood levels of triglycerides, a type of fat.

Causes-- Experts don't know exactly why some people accumulate fat in the liver while others do not. Similarly, there is limited understanding of why some fatty livers develop inflammation that progresses to cirrhosis. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are both linked to the following:

·         Overweight or obesity

·         Insulin resistance, in which your cells don't take up sugar in response to the hormone insulin

·         High blood sugar (hyperglycemia), indicating prediabetes or actual type 2 diabetes

·         High levels of fats, particularly triglycerides, in the blood

These combined health problems appear to promote the deposit of fat in the liver. For some people, this excess fat acts as a toxin to liver cells, causing liver inflammation and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which may lead to a buildup of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the liver.

Symptoms-- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease usually causes no signs and symptoms. When it does, they may include:

·         Enlarged liver

·         Fatigue

·         Pain in the upper right abdomen

Possible signs and symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis (advanced scarring) include:

·         Abdominal swelling (ascites)

·         Enlarged blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface

·         Enlarged breasts in men

·         Enlarged spleen

·         Red palms

·         Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Risk factors-- A wide range of diseases and conditions can increase your risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, including:

·         High cholesterol

·         High levels of triglycerides in the blood

·         Metabolic syndrome

·         Obesity, particularly when fat is concentrated in the abdomen

·         Polycystic ovary syndrome

·         Sleep apnea

·         Type 2 diabetes

·         Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

·         Underactive pituitary gland (hypopituitarism)

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is more likely in these groups:

·         Older people

·         People with diabetes

·         People with body fat concentrated in the abdomen

It is difficult to distinguish nonalcoholic fatty liver disease from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis without further testing.

Complications-- The main complication of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is cirrhosis, which is late-stage scarring (fibrosis) in the liver. Cirrhosis occurs in response to liver injury, such as the inflammation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.  As the liver tries to halt inflammation, it produces areas of scarring (fibrosis). With continued inflammation, fibrosis spreads to take up more and more liver tissue.

If the process isn't interrupted, cirrhosis can lead to:

·         Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)

·         Swelling of veins in your esophagus (esophageal varices), which can rupture and bleed

·         Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)

·         Liver cancer

·         End-stage liver failure, which means the liver has stopped functioning

About 20 percent of people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis will progress to cirrhosis.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world.Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When fatty liver   is concerned there are many effective medicines are available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient, considering the mental and physical symptoms.

BRYONIA ALB  30--Bryonia alb is considered an excellent remedy for fatty liver and other liver complaints.The liver is heavy, sore, swollen , better lying on it. There is stitching pain in the liver region. Bryonia pain is better from lying on painful side, pressure, rest and cold things. Worse from deep breathing, movement and exertion.

CHELIDONIUM MAJ.  Q---Chelidonium maj is one of the top remedies for fatty liver treatment. The liver is enlarged and tender. Liver pains going backward or fixed at angle of right scapula. Fixed pain under the inner and lower angle of right scapula, which may extend into the chest and stomach causing nausea and vomiting. Chelidonium patients prefers  very hot drinks and hot food. Constipation is also seen due liver complaints.The stool is hard, round balls like sheep’s dung.

CARDUS MARIANUS Q-Cardus mar is also effective for fatty liver complaints. Here the left lobe of the liver is very sensitive. There is fullness and soreness with moist skin. The patient is usually constipated. The stool is hard, passes with great difficulty, and it is knotty.Golden coloured urine is the key symptom of Cardus mar.There is nausea and vomiting, vomiting of green acid fluid.

CALCAREA CARB 30—Calcarea carb is effective for the treatment of fatty liver. The liver region is painful, worse on stooping. Calcarea carb person is fat and flabby , with increase of fat in abdomen and liver. Long standing constipation is seen with large, hard, whitish stools. Calcarea carb persons disagree milk. Unusual craving for boiled eggs and indigestible things like chalk, pencils etc. Excess sweat is seen on head and Calcarea carb person is sensitive to cold.

BOLDO Q—Congestion of liver. Burning weight in liver and stomach. Bitter taste and no appetite.

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM 200—Lycopodium is another effective remedy for fatty liver with sensitive , congested liver. The liver is weak , which causes weak digestion. Heaviness and pain in the upper part of abdomen. The patient is usually suffer from gastric symptoms like flatulence and acidity. Eating a little food creates fullness. Burning belching rise only to pharynx. Distension and bloating of abdomen soon after eating. Flatulence which is noisy, feels fermentation in abdomen like yeast working. All complaints get worse in the evening , between 4-8 pm.Lycopodium person usually prefers hot drinks and hot food. There is an unusual craving for sweets.

PHOSPHORUS 200-Phosphorus is effective for fatty liver with pain and congestion and fatty degeneration of liver. The liver becomes weak in function.The food regurgitates after eating , by mouthfuls  accompanied by sour belching.Very fetid stool and flatus is peculiar to Phosphorus. Stool is hard,long , narrow, like dog’s stool.Phosphorus person have an unusual craving for cold things like ice-creams, cold drinks and fresh juices .

NUX VOMICA 30- Nux vomica is one of the top remedies for fatty liver , which is caused by alcohol.Liver becomes enlarged, sore, having stitching pain.  Pain worse from contact or motion. Toxic liver from drugs , chemicals and alcohol. Liver is weak from bad diet, meat, fats, spices and alcohol. There is a feeling of weight and pain in stomach, worse eating , some time after.Sour , bitter belching. Constipation with ineffectual urging is a key symptom of Nux vomica.Stool is incomplete and unsatisfactory.Stools relieve pain in abdomen for a time, but renewed soon.

DOLICHOS 30- Dolichos is prescribed when itching occurs due to liver problems.There is swelling of liver with pain, pain goes through from left lobe. Intense itching without eruptions.Itch intense at night. Jaundice.

MYRICA CERIFERA Q—Myrica is prescribed where liver disorders heart complaints is seen. There is urticaria with jaundice. There is dull headache , worse in morning. The eyes have a dingy , dirty yellowish hue and the tongue is coated yellow. Pulse is slow, feeble, and irregular. A weak sinking feeling in epigastrium.

PODOPHYLLUM PEL. 30—Podophyllum is prescribed when the liver is sore, and painful which is better by rubbing.Podophyllum is indicated to torpid or chronically congested liver, when diarrhea is present . The face and eyes are yellow and having a bad taste in mouth. The tongue is coated white or yellow.