Several diseases of the liver have no specific treatment in conventional medicine. These conditions may develop due to a variety of causes: heavy alcohol consumption and chronic viral hepatitis being two of the commonest causes. If the patient comes to us in the early stages, homeopathic treatment can keep the disease arrested and, in many cases, improve it to an extent that it becomes undetectable. In patients who have advanced cirrhosis, our treatment is directed towards keeping the disease arrested and maintaining a high quality of life for the patient. Difficult signs and symptoms like build-up of large amounts of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and bleeding from dilated veins of the food pipe (oesophageal varices) are also effectively managed with homeopathic treatment.
Drug induced liver injury is also a condition that we often come across. 75% of these cases are said to lead to either liver transplant or death. This condition may arise after courses of antibiotics and a variety of other conventional drugs are taken. In this condition, the liver is under acute strain with very limited options in allopathy, since the patient may react adversely to other drugs too. Many such cases who were being treated at intensive care units at leadings hospitals of the world have made dramatic recoveries after starting homeopathic treatment.
We see many patients of hepato-cellular carcinoma of which many have made complete recoveries, when treatment was started in the early stages. We also get a lot of patients of this cancer, who first took all forms of treatment available to them with no response and then came to us. In many such instances, we can help arrest the disease, significantly extend life span and provide a very high quality of life.
Hepato-cellular carcinoma is said to have a median survival period of 11 months with a maximum survival of 24 months. We have many patients who have far exceeded these numbers and we find that most patients who have undergone homeopathic treatment cross the five-year survival mark.
Similarly, patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis with ascites (fluid in their abdomen) have a 1-year survival rate of 50%. However, amongst those we’ve treated, we find that the survival beyond one year is close to 80%.
Homeopathy is often given in conjunction with conventional treatment. In advanced liver disease, hospital management and close monitoring is required. Important procedures like draining of the abdominal fluid, stopping blood loss, increasing blood protein levels and so on, need to be performed under expert guidance. Many of our patients, frequently begin treatment while in hospital
Many difficult conditions which are considered irreversible or incurable, require prolonged treatment spanning years. However, other conditions like viral hepatitis may need a very short course of treatment.
Counselling the patient with advice on dietary and lifestyle changes is a very important part of treatment. Many conditions like alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver etc. need a drastic change in lifestyle for the treatment to work and to prevent recurrence. Also, in advanced liver disease, understanding which food groups to increase consumption for and what to avoid can contribute to better management of the condition.
Homeopathy should be considered as a viable and an important option for patients with different kinds of liver disease. It can safely reduce suffering and shorten period of recovery for acute diseases. In chronic liver disease, homeopathy can keep parameters in check and provide a high quality of life.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this article is to promote a broader understanding of homeopathy in the treatment of various health conditions. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
-By Dr. Kushal Banerjee, M.D. (Hom.), M.Sc. (Oxon)
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this article is to promote a broader understanding of homeopathy in the treatment of various health conditions. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
