Liver Problems

Cirrhosis (derived from the Greek word scirrhus,which means orange or tawny) is a diffuse process of fibrosis that converts the liver architecture into structurally abnormal nodules . It is a slowly progressing disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, eventually preventing the liver from functioning properly. The scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and naturally produced toxins. It also slows the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver.According to the National Institutes of Health, cirrhosis is the 12th leading cause of death by disease.

An extensive description of hepatobiliary disorders are found in Ayurvedic classics. The distension of abdomen (Udara vrddhi) caused by the functional derangement of liver is known as Yakrddalyudara in Ayurveda. This disease has been described in the chapter of Udara Roga in Ayurvedic classics. The relevant Ayurvedic classical information has been highlighted in this study in relation to cirrhosis of liver in modern medical science

Cirrhosis of Liver

Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver does not function properly due to long-term damage. This damage is characterized by the replacement of normal liver tissue by scar tissue. Cirrhosis is most commonly caused by alcohol, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Aetiology

The commonest causes of cirrhosis world wide are alcohol abuse and viral hepatitis (B and C). In urban centres in India, alcohol abuse accounts for more than 50% cases. Hepatitis B accounts for 30- 70% of cases, with hepatitis C following in frequency. About 30% of alcoholics also have markers of hepatitis viral infection, the relative contribution of viral infection and alcohol per day for 10-20 years is required for the development of cirrhosis in western populations.

Other causes of cirrhosis are

• metabolic diseases such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, galactosemia and glycogen storage disorders
• inherited diseases such as Wilson disease and hemochromatosis
• biliary cirrhosis resulting from diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
• toxic hepatitis caused by severe reactions to prescribed drugs or prolonged exposure to environmental toxins