Category: Fatty Liver

What is progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis? – How can Ayurveda help?

ABSTRACT

Liver is one of the heaviest and your body’s second largest organ. It is placed right under your ribcage on the right side and is approximately the size of a football. It does a lot of things that keep a person healthy. Liver separates nutrients from toxins as they move through the digestive system. It carries out toxins out from your body and also helps in the process of digestion. So when your liver isn’t working well, it affects your entire body. In this article, we will take a look at PFIC or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and its safer treatment options in Ayurveda, a 5000 year old system of medicine.

INTRODUCTION- WHAT IS PFIC?

PFIC or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis is a disorder that eventually results in progressive liver disease. This most commonly leads to liver failure. Liver cells in this condition are unable to secrete digestive fluid called bile. This is a rare inherited condition which causes buildup of bile in liver cells which leads to jaundice, severe itching and malabsorption which worsens over time.

Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis

CAUSES

PFIC or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis is an inherited disorder that occurs due to gene mutations. This condition occurs when an individual inherits a mutated gene from the parents. Most commonly affected genes in PFIC are ABCB11 or ABCB4.

SYMPTOMS

Most common symptoms for PIFC include

  • Severe itching
  • Poor weight gain
  • Poor growth
  • Jaundice
  • Bleeding
  • Poor bone growth and strength
  • Enlargement of liver
  • Malabsorption of fat soluble vitamins (Vitamin A,D,E,K)
  • Liver cirrhosis

TREATMENT

Most commonly treatment for PIFC is based on giving the symptomatic relief to the patient. Major complaints like itching can be treated symptomatically.

Various Treatment Pptions for PIFC are

  1. Vitamin supplements: For weakness and incomplete absorption, various supplemental vitamins are suggested.
  2. Liver transplant: If the medicines are not effective in giving relief, liver transplant is usually the only option left.

AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE AND MANAGEMENT OF PIFC

Although Ayurveda does not directly mention PFIC, it does mention inherited disorders. Acharya Charka, the ancient Ayurveda scholar mentions that any kind of congenital and genetic deformities originated at the reproductive level. It states that any kind of deformity in sperm (Shukra) and ovum (Shonit) will lead to beej dosha (genetic deformity) because beej bhag (genes) are responsible for womb formation. When the genes are defective it leads to any kind of genetic deformity in the new born baby. Considering all the symptoms and causes of this disease, we can correlate this with Rakta Vaha Srotas Dushti. When the pregnant mother consumes Pitta aggravating diet, there is imbalance in the doshas and the Raktha Strotas of the fetus which then leads to the genetic disorders like PIFC.

AYURVEDA HERBS THAT HELP IN PIFC

Ayurveda, 5000 year old system of medicine does mention various ayurveda herbs that brilliantly help in managing the symptoms and treating the condition of PIFC are

1. BHUMYAMALAKI

Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri) is an Ayurveda herb mentioned in classical text books of Ayurveda. It majorly affects the health of the liver. This herb has cleansing, soothing and cooling properties. It balances the pitta and kapha dosha and balances the excess agni/heat in the digestive tract. Not only liver, it also helps gallbladder in cleansing and detoxification.

2. TRIPHALA

Triphala, a combination of three ayurveda herbs namely amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Harad (Terminalia chebula), Bahera (Terminalia billerica) is one of the most used ayurveda combinations has a unique ability to provide multiple benefits to the body. A combination of three herbs, it helps in constipation and digestion. Along With this, it helps to detox, replenish and nourish the liver with its qualities. It can be easily consumed in powder form, tablet form or in a decoction form.

3. KALMEGH

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) is a well documented Ayurveda herb mentioned in Ayurveda textbooks. It is called Indian Echinacea; it is one of the most important and powerful ayurveda herbs against liver disorders. It has been proven to have hepatoprotective properties. It is antiviral, anti bacterial, immune boosting and anti infective which makes it the foremost choice of the herb against liver disorders.

4. AMLA (Embilica officinalis)

Amla or Indian gooseberry has antioxidants and helps prevent the body from the attack of free radicals. It is a great source of vitamin C and a huge immune booster. It has a combination of five tastes in Ayurveda and helps prevent bacterial and viral infections. It has cool potency and a sweet post digestive effect which helps in dealing with inflammation in liver disorders.

HERBAL FORMULATIONS FOR PFIC BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is an authentic, GMP certified company that produces pure Ayurveda herbs and formulations under the expert supervision of Ayurveda doctors. All the formulations are vegetarian, 100% pure and are mentioned in 5000 year old Ayurveda texts. Some of the formulations by planet ayurveda for PIFC are

herbal remedies for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis

Herbal Remedies for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis

Product Description

1. YAKRIT PLIHANTAK CHURNA

Yakrit Plihantak Churna by planet ayurveda is a powder formulation prepared with the pure ayurveda herbs such as Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri) and many other hepatoprotective herbs. These herbs have katu (pungent) and Tikta (bitter) ras (taste) and help in balancing out kapha and pitta dosha in the body. All these herbs work in sync and assist in sustaining the health of the hepatic system without any side effects.

DOSAGE: 1 tsf of Churna twice daily.

2. KALMEGH GHAN VATI

Kalmegh Ghan vati by planet ayurveda is prepared by 500 mg standardized extract of kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) as the main ingredient. This herb has a bitter taste and is known as the king of bitter in ayurveda texts. According to ayurveda, this is yakrit utejak; pittasark and rechak which means these capsules support healthy hepatoprotective activity and sustain good liver health. These capsules work brilliantly well in all cases of liver diseases.

DOSAGE: 2 tablets twice daily.

3. BHUMI AMLA SWARAS

Bhumi amla Swaras by planet ayurveda is liquid formulation that contains Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri) as the main ingredient. This herb has cold potency, bitter and sweet in taste. This herb has anti viral, antihelminthic and laxative properties. It balances out aggravated Vata and pitta dosha and hence manages thirst, cough and cold. This formulation is known to remove all the mala (waste) from the body and is known to retain health while reversing the liver disorders.

DOSAGE: 2 tbsp twice daily.

4. LIVER DETOX CAPSULES

Planet Ayurveda’s liver detox capsules are pure vegetarian capsule formulations with no side effects. The Prime ingredients capsule are katuki (picrorhiza kurroa), punarnava (boerhavia diffusa), kalmegh (andrographis paniculata), makoy (solanum indicum) and many other ayurveda herbs. Extracts of all these potent herbs are present in Liver care capsules. These protect against fatty liver and flush out the body toxins and improve digestion.
DOSAGE: 1 capsule twice daily.

Contact my assistant to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214040

CONCLUSION

Liver is the most important detox organ of the body. It is very important for the liver to function properly to be able to maintain overall body health. Liver disorders cannot be fully treated by the modern medicine system. Liver transplant remains the last option in modern treatment. However, with Ayurveda one gets complete relief from the symptoms in a safer way. It is difficult to cure the genetic disorders completely but with ayurveda we can naturally manage the symptoms better and avoid the side effects and liver transplant in the longer run.

What is Ascites? – Types, Symptoms, Causes and Herbal Remedies

Abstract

It frequently happens because of cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure, kidney failure, and infections. Mild ascites may not show any symptoms but if you are experiencing the fullness of the abdomen, weight gain, swelling in the ankles, nausea, or shortness of breath you have landed on the right page. Here we have discussed ascites in detail, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and its Ayurvedic treatment. Ayurveda, our age-old science, has wonderfully treated ascites with remarkable results. Read on to know more.

Introduction

Ascites is a condition in which there is an accumulation of free fluid in the peritoneal or abdominal cavity, which gives a feeling of fullness and rapid weight gain. This free fluid leads the belly to swell and is called a ballooning belly. Ascites is a further complication of non-hepatic or hepatic disease. Mild ascites is hard to notice whereas severe ascites cause distension of the abdomen.

Ascites

TYPES OF ASCITES

Ascites is categorized mainly into two types depending on the protein content in the fluid:

  • Exudate: Exudate has a protein content of more than or equal to 2.5g/dl.
  • Transudate: Transudate has a protein content of less than 2.5g/dl.

The other, more useful way to categorize ascites is by using the SAAG

  1. (SERUM ASCITES ALBUMIN GRADIENT)

CAUSES OF ASCITES

Cirrhosis of the liver is the most common condition that can cause ascites. Other conditions that cause ascites can be heart failure, kidney failure, infections (such as tuberculosis ),or
cancer.

How does cirrhosis cause ascites?

When a patient has cirrhosis, his liver doesn’t function normally as it should. The abnormal liver function combines with portal hypertension to cause ascites. This portal hypertension is the high pressure in portal veins (the veins that supply blood to the liver). This abnormally high pressure in portal veins causes fluid to leak out of the veins into the belly and collect there as a fluid.

RISK FACTORS FOR ASCITES

Conditions causing cirrhosis of the liver puts a patient at a greater risk of developing ascites. These conditions are Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C, Autoimmune hepatitis, Alcohol use disorder, Genetic liver diseases that may include Wilson disease and alpha

1 antitrypsin deficiency, and hemochromatosis. Some of the other conditions that can cause ascites are cancers of the abdominal or pelvic organs, infections, congestive heart failure, and kidney failure.

SYMPTOMS OF ASCITES

Depending upon the cause of ascites, symptoms may develop gradually or suddenly. Mild fluid in the abdominal cavity is usually asymptomatic, that is without any symptoms but as the collection of the fluid increases, it thereby causes:

  • swelling in the abdomen
  • sense of fullness
  • Bloating
  • weight gain
  • nausea
  • indigestion
  • shortness of breath
  • back pain
  • fatigue
  • swelling in ankles.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE ASCITES????

Multiple steps are involved in the diagnosis of ascites. The patient’s complete medical history followed by a thorough abdominal examination/physical examination is carried out by a medical practitioner to look for any signs or symptoms. a patient’s history and physical examination help determine a diagnosis. Blood tests and imaging tests are likely needed. Tests to confirm the diagnoses are Ultrasound or CT scans in which the abdominal area can be seen deeply and detailed. CBC is carried out to look for the infections and organ functions that might lead to ascites. The second most important test is paracentesis in which the fluid accumulated is analyzed for signs of cancer, infection, portal hypertension, and other conditions.

CLASSICAL TREATMENT

  • Nidana parivarjana (avoiding causative factors): This is a complete diet restriction to minimize the symptoms along with medicines.
  • Agni Dipti (provocation of digestion)
  • Apyam Doshaharnam and sroto shodhan (removal of the fluid accumulated)
  • Nitya virechana(daily therapeutic purgation)

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ASCITES BY PLANET AYURVEDA

PLANET AYURVEDA provides the best and most effective treatment by the touch of herbs for the treatment of ascites. As the diseased liver is the main cause of ascites, The Planet Ayurveda provides a complete ASCITES CARE PACK which is a combination of herbal remedies for liver health. Remedies that are herbal and with the non-touch of artificial ingredients. chemical and preservative-free herbal remedies are used worldwide to treat diseases.

This ASCITES CARE PACK consists of

  1. PUNARNAVA CAPSULES
  2. WATER EX-TABLETS
  3. RENCURE FORMULA
  4. LIVER DETOX CAPSULES
  5. JALODARARI RASA

Ayurvedic Treatment For Ascites

Herbal Supplements for Ascites

PRODUCT DETAIL

1. Punarnava capsules

This ayurvedic remedy has a great tendency to control water retention in the abdomen as it is prepared from the standardized extract of Boerhaavia diffusa . It possesses diuretic properties that flush out the toxins from the abdominal cavity, through urine by increasing its flow.

Dosage: 2 capsules to be taken two times a day after meals with warm water.

2. Water ex-tablets

These water ex-tablets consist of natural herbs like gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris), Varuna (crataeva nurvala), etc which have the properties of fluid expulsion from the body and reduce inflammation caused by any infection.

3. Rencure Formula

It consists of palash (butea monosperma), gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), punarnava (boerhavia diffusa),varun (crataeva nurvala) etc. This formula has tremendous effects on kidney disease which can be a leading cause of ascites. It maintains the normal

functioning of the kidneys.

Dosage: 1 capsule is to be taken twice after meals with water.

4. Liver Detox Capsules

This combination of herbs helps in the detoxification of the liver byremoving harmful toxins that cause fluid to accumulate. The herbs in this formulation are kaansi (Cichorium intybus), kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), makoy (Solanum Indicum), etc.

Dosage: 1 capsules to be taken two times a day after meals with warm water

5. Jalodarari ras

These herbal tablets have been prepared with the combination of pippali (piper longum), maricha (piper nigrum), jaiphala (Croton tiglium), Haridra (Curcuma longa), etc. This combination of herbs serves as an anti-inflammatory agent and eliminates accumulated fluid.

HOME-BASED MANAGEMENT OF ASCITES

Ascites can be well managed at home along with these herbal remedies. Managing the diet with low salt intake can be beneficial. By Quitting alcohol and smoking the disease can be limited to a greater extent. A healthy lifestyle with exercising can prevent further liver
disease.

CONCLUSION

ASCITES mainly affects patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Another systemic disease can also lead to ascites. Important diagnostic tools are scans and blood tests. A physical examination plays an important role in diagnosis. PLANET AYURVEDA medicines are significantly effective in ascites under the guidance of well-experienced doctors. Management of diet and healthy lifestyle can add more value to the early recovery. Ayurvedic treatment is followed by the internal purification process, herbal remedies, a special diet, and meditation. The primary basis of Ayurveda is the interconnection between