28th July is considered to be World Hepatitis Day. Viral hepatitis can invade the human body in a variety of ways, but it is in your hands to prevent this infection from intruding your body and mess with your health. Hepatitis is a disease that takes a toll on the human liver. There are 5 different types of hepatitis from Hepatitis A to E, but there are ways you can take to prevent yourself against the same, such as:

Know how the Hepatitis spread: On the basis of the different types of Hepatitis, there are two main ways by which hepatitis gets its way from one person to another, contact with infected blood and body fluid as well as contact with the infected stool. It is important to note here that Hepatitis A and E are carried through the faeces of the affected individual. Also, a person may get infected with Hepatitis A and E even if you consume contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B, C along with D can also spread through the infected blood. 
Get the proper immunization: There are vaccines available all across the world to prevent spreading Hepatitis A and B. But it is crucial to point here that it is not possible to prevent Hepatitis C and D and sometimes Hepatitis E as well. But the Hepatitis C can be cured when the patient has received effective anti-viral medications. There are no vaccinations for Hepatitis D but the virus causing this infection requires Hepatitis B for survival. Therefore, getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B will help prevent the disease from affecting you.
Get the right precautions while travelling: When travelling, no one can tell whether you will get access to clean and purified water. Water contaminated with impurities can lead to Hepatitis A as well as E. You should take proper precautions and immunizations in the first place. If you are going to a place that doesn t have access to clean water, you should steer clear from ice cubes, running tap water, cut fruits and raw vegetables which may have been cleaned in the water with impurities.
By being aware and taking necessary precaution, getting affected by hepatitis can be prevented.

World Hepatitis Day - How You Can Prevent Yourself?

Autoimmune Hepatitis is a condition in which the liver gets inflamed. This occurs when the immune system of the body attacks the liver cells. Still, the actual cause of Autoimmune Hepatitis is still unknown. 

In general, environmental and genetic factors trigger this condition. It is one of the chronic diseases which when left untreated can lead to Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or the worst Liver Failure. Still, if it is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be treated by using certain medications. 

Although there are many ways by which it can be controlled or treated, the Ayurvedic approach is one of the best ways to treat this condition without any side effects. Ayurveda works on the principle of balancing the doshas and energies of the body.

Before understanding how Ayurveda helps in treating Autoimmune Hepatitis, let's explore the functioning of the liver.

Liver and Its Function:

The liver is an important organ and gland of the body that participates in the process of digestion. It secretes bile juice that helps in the digestion of fat. Apart from this, the liver also plays an important role in the filtration mechanism. It filters unprocessed components and toxins. It prevents the toxins from going into circulation and damaging the important organs of the body. It also filters the toxins from circulating the food essence coming through the portal circulation (circulation of blood from the small intestine, spleen, and right half of the colon to the liver). The liver is one of the hematopoietic organs that help in the process of cell maturation.

In Ayurveda, the liver is known as Yakrit, which forms  channels that carry mature blood throughout the body (Rakta Vaha Srotas). The liver is the chief site of Ranjaka Pitta i.e., one of the subtypes of Pitta. The Ranjaka Pitta is responsible for the force by which the heart pushes the blood to other parts of the body. It also helps in blood circulation.

If the Pitta is vitiated in the liver, it may cause inflammation of the liver and generate an autoimmune process leading to a condition called Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Autoimmune Hepatitis And Ayurveda:

Among the three doshas (Pitta, Vata, and Kapha) in Ayurveda, Pitta participates in the activities related to the digestion process. If it gets imbalanced, it starts destroying the components and cells of the body, mainly the organs or areas in which it is produced and stored. This also affects the channels and areas where it is functional and all the parts which come in contact with impaired Pitta.

When Pitta is imbalanced in the liver, it will interrupt the normal functioning of the liver making it unable to differentiate between self and non-self immunity and damage the cells of the liver. This process is known as autoimmune process and one of the main causes of Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Take Away:

Ayurveda works on the principle of balancing the Pitta dosha to limit the symptoms of Autoimmune Hepatitis. However, it is advisable to consult an Ayurvedic Liver specialist before going for any medicines.

Autoimmune Hepatitis - Knowing The Ayurvedic Approach!

Hepatitis A is an infectious disease caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), which affects the liver. It leads to inflammation of the liver. Even though it does not cause any severe harm in the initial stages, it can become acute or chronic later if not treated or managed on time. If it becomes chronic, it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and permanent liver failure too. 

Hepatitis A is caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and it can also result due to anal or oral contact during sex. This infectious disease results in specific signs and symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, fever, jaundice, anorexia, and rashes on the body. There are many allopathic medicines to cure Hepatitis A but they can be harsh on the body. If one wants to avoid the possible side effects of these medications, then Ayurvedic remedies offer to be a better choice as they do not have any side effects and also cure the infection completely, giving permanent and full relief. 

So, here are some Ayurvedic remedies for Hepatitis A.

Virechana: A part of the Panchakarma process, it is a detoxification therapy that flushes out the toxins from the body. In Ayurveda, it is believed that any disorder of the liver is caused by pitta imbalance and this imbalance is rectified by a purgation technique. In the first step, the patient is made to vomit and then is kept on a light diet for a few days and watched over. In the last step, the patient is administered virechana drugs such as sweet herbs to cleanse the toxins and purify the blood. After cleansing, the patient is given a warm bath to calm the senses.
Echinacea: This herb is a natural immunizing agent that helps fight the infection caused by HAV. It is an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory in nature and thus, provides relief to the liver. It also stimulates the secretion of enzymes in the body and improves blood circulation as well. Lastly, it prevents auto-immune diseases.
Phyllanthus niruri: Also known as Bhumi Amla, it is very effective in fighting infections of the liver and can cure all forms of liver diseases. It possesses analgesic, antibacterial, and anti-spasmodic properties. It cures the liver inflammation and corrects the pitta imbalance.
Triphala: A mixture of bibhataki, haritaki and amlaki, triphala is a very effective cleansing herb. It carries laxative properties and thus, helps remove toxins from the intestines.
Katuki: This Ayurvedic herb is very effective in the treatment of different liver diseases and is known as a strong laxative. It helps in the detoxification of the intestines and also kills the intestinal worms.
These Ayurvedic remedies are known to provide lasting relief in Hepatitis A, no matter what the stage of the infection is. The herbal medicines can be consumed in the form of tablets, capsules, mixture (churna), or even taken as a tea. Nevertheless, it is advised to consult an Ayurvedic doctor before resorting to any of these remedies. Proper diagnosis and accurate dosage is a must in the treatment of Hepatitis A.

Ayurvedic Remedies For Hepatitis A!

The liver plays a significant role in the body s various metabolic processes. Infection with hepatitis C virus causes inflammation of the liver, known popularly as Hepatitis C. It is a relatively new discovery (late 1980s), but there are a significant number of cases identified. The challenge in identifying this disease is that the patient does not manifest with any symptoms and can be carrying the virus for years with no signs or symptoms. This makes diagnosis very difficult and in most cases, it is discovered when diagnosing for some other disease. It is transmitted via blood   through use of drug needles, tattoo needles, or sexual when the virus is present in the vaginal fluid.

Homeopathic Treatment For Hepatitis C -

Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat Hepatitis C infection but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several well-proved medicines are available for Hepatitis C treatment that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensation and modalities of the complaints. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person.

Homeopathy offers remedy for hepatitis C by detoxifying and neutralizing viral cells, improving immunity, and stimulating production of healthy cells. The following compounds are useful in this.

Chelidonium Majus: Prepared from the flowers of Celandine, it acts on the hepatobiliary system and restores overall liver function. The patient s presenting symptoms include jaundice with pain, bloated abdomen, significant lethargy, weakness, reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting.

China Officinalis: This is useful in patients who are down with intermittent fevers, headaches, gallstones, dyspepsia and hemorrhages. The patient could also have debility, trembling, ringing in the ears, flatulence in the abdomen, gassy feeling and vomiting of bile.

Bryonia Alba: This is prepared from the plant known as wild hops after potentization. It works on multiple systems including the digestive, hepatobiliary, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems. This is useful in patients who suffer from dyspepsia, migraine, bronchitis, joint pains, back pain, menstrual issues, and respiratory tract infections. The patient could also experience a burning sensation and soreness in the abdomen, which is extremely tender to the touch, along with nausea and vomiting. The symptoms are aggravated during summer months and with heat.

Kali Carbonicum: The active ingredient acts of multiple bodily systems including kidneys, liver, digestive, blood, bones, lungs, etc. It is widely used in liver dysfunctions like nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, and hepatitis C. The patient may have liver atrophy, cirrhosis, heaviness in the abdomen or jaundice. He or she could be restless, excitable and nervous. Extreme weakness and reaction to changes in light, sound, touch and odors are some other symptoms. The pain could be relieved by rubbing.

Other medicines like Lycopodium, Belladonna, Nux Vomica, and Aconite are also useful. However, as with all homeopathy medicines, self-medication is not advisable. The doctor will check for all accompanying symptoms and your overall health status and then determine what would work for you.

How To Cure Hepatitis C With Homeopathy?

Hepatitis C is a Viral Infection That is Little Talked About, But Can Be As Dangerous As Hepatitis B

Most people have head or what became in the 1980s and '90s the dreaded AIDS virus. With time and the availability of medicines, it ceased to be a killer. However, the knowledge of it helped stem its spread. Most people, unfortunately, don't realize that hepatitis C is also a killer, simply because not much has been said about it. In fact, it is also a virus, but is 10 times more infectious than HIV.

Hepatitis C is transmitted through the blood, and is usually passed on to women through infected needles and sex. At-home glucometers are often shared, or sometimes a woman's own lifestyle or her partner's lifestyle before marriage may put her at risk, because the virus can stay in the blood for years. It is also transmitted through blood products, like in the case of a transfusion, though in the case of pregnant women, this is not so common.

The dangers
The virus affects 1 in every 100 people in India, while globally 180 million are infected with it. Sometimes, it may just pass through the body, like many other viruses do, but sometimes, it can remain. If detected quickly, within six months or so, cure rates are high. the problem is that it is often not easy to detect, as symptoms resemble those of a regular seasonal viral infection: fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite. If it remains in the body, becoming chronic, then it may progress to liver disease. But the hepatitis C virus (HCV) doesn't have to be a killer. You can conquer it with these moves. 

What you should do before
A number of couples who come to me have planned pregnancies-they opt for a baby, rather than the baby just 'happening' to them. This not only helps family planning, but it also helps us rule out infections or treat them if present. Usually, in the first trimester, your gynecologist will ask you to do a simple blood test for HIV, hepatitis B and C. In the case of a planned pregnancy, visit your doctor beforehand and ask if you need to take these tests before you conceive. However, there is no vaccine for HCV yet.

What you should do after
If a woman find out in the first trimester that she is hepatitis C positive, there's nothing much that can be done, as anti-viral medications cause birth defects, so a mother can only be put on them after delivery. She is advised to continue the pregnancy. A baby's chance of acquiring the infection in utero is between 5 and 7%. While this is not high, parents may like to avoid the risk. However, co-infection with HIV (if the mother is HIV positive) pushes the risk up to 19.4%. The pregnancy itself will not be hampered by the HCV infection. Nor does the risk of transmission to the child have anything to do with the mode of delivery-either vaginal or C-section. In India, there is little data on HCV transmission from mother to child. However, once the baby is born, the pediatrician may not do an immediate test to check for the virus, as it generally clears out from the baby's system in a year or so. Testing may only be done at 18 months.

Hepatitis C: Can Be as Dangerous as Hepatitis B

Hepatitis A is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). It infects the liver causing it to become inflamed and dysfunctional that causes discomfort to the individual. It is necessary to treat the infection on time because if it is taken lightly, it can become chronic. So, the symptoms such as fever, jaundice, weight loss, and nausea should not be ignored. It should be treated on time and Ayurveda offers to be a complete and side-effect free treatment procedure that can give one permanent cure.



Pitta imbalance in Hepatitis A
According to Ayurveda, any liver infection or disease is caused by the aggravation of pitta in the liver. It is believed that when the pitta becomes vitiated, the body experiences problems. Since the liver is governed by pitta, any aggravation in this life energy instantly affects the liver and makes it prone to infections and diseases. In case of hepatitis A too, the pitta becomes aggravated because of the viral infection and thus, the Ayurvedic remedies and therapies seek to correct this imbalance.

Toxin elimination in Hepatitis A
When the liver is infected by the HAV virus, it is weakened and cannot function to its full potential. It is not able to flush out the toxins properly, which causes the toxins to build up in the liver, causing pitta imbalance. Therefore, the elimination of these toxins also becomes a part of the hepatitis A treatment. The Ayurvedic medicines such as katuki, triphala, and bhumi amla come armed with strong detoxification action and thus, remove the toxins from the system. Even external therapies such as virechana work to cleanse the system of the patient and purify the blood, which relaxes the entire body.

Strengthening digestive system
In hepatitis A, the liver is affected by the infection and since the liver is directly related to metabolism, the infection takes a toll on the digestion too. So, Ayurveda tries to boost the digestive system too and it does so with the help of medicines and regulated diet. The medicines restore the health of the liver and the regulated diet makes sure that no strain is passed on the liver. Also, abstinence from alcohol and smoking further boosts the immunity and expedites healing.

Ayurvedic treatment effects
The impact of Ayurvedic treatment is highly beneficial for the liver. They relax the inflamed liver walls and repair the liver cells helping it revert to its normal state so that it can function properly. They also cure the symptoms like fever, jaundice, weight loss, stomach pain by boosting immunity. The digestion is taken care of too in ayurvedic treatment and thus, the healing happens at a faster rate.

Ayurveda is highly recommended in cases of hepatitis A as the medicines and remedies are not harsh on the body and there is no fear of side-effects. The recovery is comfortable for the patient, irrespective of age, and they can be sure of lasting relief. So, as soon as the infection is diagnosed, the treatment should be started as early treatment helps in quick recovery.

In case you have a concern or query, you can always consult an ayurvedic doctor for proper line of treatment.

Hepatitis A - Top Ayurvedic Remedies For It!

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