Liver Failure

In Ayurveda, its description comes in Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 19th chapter and chikitsasthana 13th chapter has enumerated 8 types of Udara-Roga, Yakriddalyudara has been also mentioned as one type of udararoga over there. Also, Acharya Sushrut and Bhavprakash also defined eight types of udararoga.

According to Ayurveda, Yakrit (liver) is the Raktavaha Srotamula and pitta dosha is considered as mala (a waste product) of rakta (blood). So the line of treatment for the Yakritvikaras is to pacify the Pitta Dosha and the classical measures for Raktavaha Srotas gatarogas are used. It is evident from the treatment measures as most of the plants used in the treatment of liver failure are pitta dosha pacifying.

Liver failure can be either acute or chronic:-

1. Acute Liver Failure

In Acute liver failure person experiences loss of liver within weeks or even days. It may happen suddenly, without showing any symptoms. The most common causes of acute liver failure are:

• Poisoning from mushrooms
• Drug overdose, which can be a result of taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) in higher dose.

2. Chronic Liver Failure

Chronic liver failure develops slower than the acute liver failure.

• It can take months or even years before exhibiting any symptoms.
• Chronic liver failure is often the result of liver cirrhosis, which is usually the consequence of consuming alcohol for a long period of time. Cirrhosis is caused when the scar tissue replaces the healthy liver tissue.
• During chronic liver failure, the liver becomes inflamed.

There are three types of alcohol-related liver failure:

1. Alcoholic fatty liver disease

Alcoholic fatty liver disease is a disease in which fat cells get deposited in the liver. It is common in alcoholic and obese people.

2. Alcoholic hepatitis

It is characterized by fat cells deposition in the liver, inflammation, and scarring. It also occurs in persons who are alcoholics.

3. Alcoholic cirrhosis

It is considered the most advanced out of the three types. It affects people who drink heavily.

It may include the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Fatigability and weakness
• Jaundice
• Bruising or easy bleeding
• Itching over body
• Edema
• Ascites
• Disoriented
• Drowsiness
• Anemia
• Patient may even slip into a coma

Some people don’t show any symptoms until their liver failure has progressed to a fatal stage. In alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) the patient may develop the following symptoms:

• Develop jaundice
• Sleeplessness
• Lack of concentration
• Decreased mental function
• Splenomegaly
• gastrointestinal bleeding
• Kidney failure
• Hepatic carcinoma

Any one or more of the following may become the cause of acute liver failure:-

• Acetaminophen overdose.
• Viruses including Hepatitis A, B, and E, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and the Epstein-Barr virus.
• Adverse effects of some medications.
• Eating poisonous wild mushrooms
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Wilson’s disease: This genetic disease prevents the body from removing copper.
• Acute fatty liver of pregnancy.
• Septic shock.
• Budd-Chiari syndrome – rare disease narrows and blocks the blood vessels in the liver.
• Industrial toxin – such as carbon tetrachloride, cleanser, degreaser, etc.

The most common causes of chronic liver failure include:-

• Hepatitis B: makes the liver swell and stops it from working the way it should.
• Hepatitis C: it can lead to cirrhosis.
• Long-term alcohol consumption: It also leads to cirrhosis.
• Hemochromatosis
• Other conditions that can lead to liver failure include:
• Hepatitis A
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis
• Oxalosis
• Wilson’s disease
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• Liver cancer
• Liver adenoma
• Fatty liver disease.
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Alagille syndrome.
• Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
• Galactosemia
• Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D)

Hepatic Encephalopathy

• Pancreatitis
• Renal failure
• Cerebral edema

Respiratory failure

• Hypotension
• Hypothermia
• Infection

Esophageal variceal Bleeding

• Pneumonia
• Metabolic: hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia
• Acid-base disturbance

Hepatorenal syndrome

• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
• Portal hypertensive gastropathy

• Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri) – It is helpful in maintaining liver function tests under normal limits. It is also beneficial in all five types of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatomegaly, jaundice, which reduces inflammation.
• Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) – This herb is considered as a powerful liver tonic and best in treating liver cirrhosis, infective hepatitis, other liver disorders.
• Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurrao) – This herb is pungent and bitter and known best for the liver as it detoxifies it and also acts as an antioxidant agent.
• Punarnava (Boerrhavia diffusa) – It is a hepatoprotective herb and used in various liver problems.
• Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) – It is a multifunctional drug and is hepatoprotective, improves the functioning of the liver, improves metabolism.
• Makoy (Solanum indicum) – It also has hepatoprotective action and also helpful in treating other liver disorders.
• Kaasni (Chicorium intybus) – It is a medicinal herb used traditionally in the treatment of diseases of the hepatobiliary system.
• Jhavuka (Tamarix galluca) – It has an alkaloid which helps in increasing platelets, in hepatic insufficiency.
• Himsra (Capparis spinosa) – It is a bushy plant and act as hepatoprotective.
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – It is widely used in Ayurveda and act as liver protective and prevents the liver from damage from the hepatotoxic drug.
• Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) – It has been identified as a fruitful herb in liver wellness and treatment of liver disorders.

The good news is that Liver Failureis preventable and reversible, but can only be possible by using holistic approach, the one advocated in Ayurveda that addresses the issues from the very root.

Since ancient times, Ayurveda has defined diseases with their symptoms, causes and healing methods with nature.

If you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, don’t assume it is Liver Failure yet without any proper diagnosis because there are other Liver related diseases that comes with the same symptoms. Consult with a Doctor for accurate diagnosis to find out if Liver Failure is what you are having or any other related disease.

As a holistic health clinic, we take accurate diagnosis very seriously in order to ascertain the root cause of a particular illness. You will be consulted with our doctor to know the type of test or scan to run base on your symptoms to detect exactly the root cause of your issue to ascertain if Liver Failure is your issue or not to ensure appropriate treatment.

Accurate diagnosis is the key to the treatment of any disease.

We can really help you out of the issue!

Contact us for your accurate diagnosis or for any issues