Alcoholic Hepatitis

The problem with the liver is that it is a non-complainer and goes about its function as long as it can. That is why people who are used to alcohol, and who have a brewing complications in the tissues of the liver never seem to face any symptoms. Eve n when the liver revolts, all the symptoms produced are in other areas of the body except within the liver; this condition is called cirrhosis of the liver and one of the commonest reasons for the same is undue alcohol usage. The most sought-after answer as to why all people who consume alcohol do not have the same type of liver degeneration is that an individual metabolism reacts in a unique way, apart from being influenced by various factors.

As such, women who imbibe very little alcohol are more prone to degeneration of the liver. Genetically, some people are likely to develop the condition while individuals of low nutritional status have a burdened metabolism to deal with and the lowered immunity at this point of time only precipitates an early degeneration of the liver.

When alcohol is taken, the lining of the stomach is burdened and most of it is absorbed, and later the remaining from the small intestine. But most of it is broken down by the liver with the help of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. The process of breaking down induces the production of hydrogen which reduces the “redox” potential. There is a reflex accumulation of fat and triglycerides in the liver tissues. Since triglycerides are necessary for body’s metabolism and more of it remains in the liver, the body synthesises more of this into the circulation causing hyperlipidaemia or increased fat in the circulation, which is again detrimental.

The gradual inflammation produces cell death in the liver (called alcoholic hepatitis) and later fibrosis or the hardening of the liver tissues wherein the spaces between the cells are thickened and hardened, and the blood circulation in the liver is affected gradually leading to other complications like portal hypertension. This fibrosis causes nodules and the extensive spread of this is called cirrhosis, which is irreversible. Even as all this is brewing, the liver never seems to complain.

Symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, weakness, and fatigue are vague and not indicative of any disease per se. However, once swelling of the legs, bruises on the skin, itching on the body develop and if one has the habit of alcohol intake, he should be checked for any deficiency of liver function. The complications of this degeneration could be as bad as deterioration of mental functioning, coma and even death.

Avoiding consumption of alcohol is the best way to keep any damage away, while cutting down on foods rich in fats and processed foods which contain chemicals that burden the liver. Medicines should always be taken only on a prescription. Blood tests and scan of the abdomen is a good way to judge the progress of the liver’s function. In homeopathic medicine, Nux vomica is a good antidote for alcohol’s trauma on the liver while Lycopodium, Chelidonium, Hydrastis are a few remedies which help in seeing that the stage of cirrhosis is not reached and symptomatically Carduus mar and Mygale have been known to help.

Chikungunya

I suffered from fever for a day and had taken medication on advice but the very next day developed pain in the elbows, knees and ankles, so debilitating that any movement is making it worse. Is there a solution for this?

Subash

After a viral illness as the body gears to fight an infection, it could attack its own joints to cause pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints of the body, called as ‘Reactive arthritis’.

Bryonia, Rhus tox, Guiacum, Cimcifuga, Phytolacca are a few remedies which would be prescribed according to your symptoms on consulting a homoeopath.

Prostate problem

I am a diabetic for the past ten years and of late have been diagnosed with “BPH”; I have difficulty in passing urine to start with and the stream is thin, compelling me to strain.

ABC

The enlargement of the prostate gland in men causes hesitancy at the initiation of passing urine, a thin stream and also dribbling at the end of urination. Homoeopathic medicine has good remedies like Causticum, Pulsatilla and Sabal serrulata.