Natural Treatment for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

ABSTRACT

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is the disease that affects bile ducts and the liver severely. It can be a life-threatening condition if not treated timely. Here in this article, we will be learning about this disease in detail mentioning causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and herbal treatment.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is characterized by the inflammation and narrowing of the bile duct that causes inhibited flow of bile. Bile is produced by the liver which helps in digestion of the food. From liver cells, this bile is transported to small intestines through bile ducts where it helps in digestion of the food. Bile helps in the breakdown of fat which is absorbed by the body and used further. Not only this, but bile also helps in the absorption of certain vitamins like A,D,E and K.

Hence, inflammation in the bile ducts resulting in their narrowing down, and then the bile starts to clog over there. This collection of bile leads to increased pressure within the liver which eventually leads to inflammation of liver cells. Gradually this swelling of liver cells results in increased pressure in the portal veins and therefore causing Portal hypertension. As these veins line the esophagus, intestines, and stomach, there occurs the building up of pressure. With the time this leads to the death of liver cells and their replacement by scar tissue which is termed as Liver cirrhosis

eventually leading to liver failure.

Causes of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

The exact cause of the Primary sclerosing cholangitis is not known however there have been seen the association of inflammatory bowel disease, that too specifically ulcerative colitis with this disease. In some cases, there can be seen Crohn’s disease as well in history. And the one in whose history inflammatory bowel disease is not found they are more probable to be female with older age.

Risk Factors

There are certain factors that increase the disposition of the person to have primary sclerosing cholangitis. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Having a history of Inflammatory bowel disease
• PSC can occur at an any age but usually, the diagnosed cases appear to be of 30-50 years of age
• Men are more disposed to have this disease
• In females, it occur usually in older age

Sign & Symptoms

In the early stages of Primary sclerosing cholangitis, it is very rare that the person feels any signs or symptoms. Complaints develop only after inflammation of the gallbladder and when stasis of bile occurs, i.e. Cholestasis. Symptoms develop when the liver is unable to drain out the bile from it.

The sings and symptoms which are seen commonly are

• Itching
• Fatigue
• Jaundice
• Yellowish color of eyes and skin
• Pain behind the ribs
• Pain in the upper part of the abdomen
• Fever
• Generalized pain in the body
• Weight loss

In advance stages when cirrhosis of the liver begins, some much severe symptoms can be seen like:

• Ascites due to lower production of protein in the liver
• Internal bleeding from portal vein in the esophagus, due to increased pressure in them
• Easy bruising due to a decreased number of platelets because of their trapping in an enlarged spleen
• Hepatic encephalopathy due to collection of waste products in the body because of the inability of the liver to clear it out

Diagnosis

Usually it is diagnosed in later stages as it remains silent for years before the symptoms arise. However the disease is diagnosed with a proper physical examination that reveals tenderness beneath ribs and in upper part of the abdomen, yellow color of eyes, severe itching on skin, ascites causing swelling of the abdomen, etc. Further, your doctor will advise you to go for Liver function tests, Ultrasound, and MRI. All of these will reveal the major findings that will help in the diagnosis of the disease.

Treatment of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

In modern medicine only the supportive treatment is given for managing the symptoms. The Treatment for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in modern medicine system is liver transplantation. Liver transplantation is not affordable or the choice of treatment for everyone as it costs too high and still the chances of success is not much. Due to these reasons people suffering from Primary sclerosing cholangitis are opting for an alternative systems of medicine. Ayurveda is one of them. Ayurveda is the science of life originated from India and now being practiced and used worldwide. This system of medicines provide natural, gentle and permanent treatment for many of the diseases which are termed as untreatable in modern terms. In this disease is treated using natural herbs, herbal products and natural therapies. In this imbalance of certain doshas are known to because of disease and their balance restore the health.

Treatment at Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a herbal company that deals with the treatment of various diseases through herbal products. Its products are being used in number of companies, worldwide. Herbal products produced here are prepared from purest herbs of the best quality. They are manufactured as per the procedures mentioned in classics. All the manufacture is done under the strict supervision of the Ayurveda MD doctors. For Primary sclerosing cholangitis also Planet Ayurveda offers certain herbal products that work synergistically to treat the disease from root cause or to manage the symptoms amazingly. These herbal products even if taken for long term do not cause any side effects.

Liver Care pack

1. Liver Detox Capsules

These are the polyherbal capsules preapared from standardized extracts of number of herbs that have therapeutic effect on liver like Kutki, Punarnava, Kalmegh, Makoy, Biranjasipha, Jhavuka, Himsra, Haritaki and Kaasni. These capsules as the name explains helps in detoxification of the liver, supports healthy and enhanced functioning of the liver, and clear any accumulated toxins in the body.

Dosage- Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water.

2. Yakritplihantak Churna

This herbal churna is the mixture of various amazing herbs that are potent enough to treat any abnormality of liver and spleen. It helps in the regeneration of the liver cells and hence preventing liver failure. Herbs used in it are Bhumi amla, Katuki, Makoy, Punarnava, Kalmegh, Kaasni, Sharpunkha and Bhringraj.

Dosage- Take  1 teaspoon twice daily after meals with plain water

3. Echinacea Capsules

These are the single herb capsules prepared from the standardized extract of Andrographis paniculata (Echinacea). Echinacea capsules are used to treat a wide variety of liver ailments and have a really amazing therapeutic effect on the organ. It helps in relieving the inflammation and clears the clogged up bile in liver cells and bile ducts.

Dosage- Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water

4. Phyllanthus Niruri

Chanca piedra or Phyllanthus niruri herb’s standardized extract is used to prepare these herbal capsules. Phyllanthus niruri possess an antihepatotoxic property that treats the diseased liver and enhances the function of the liver.

Dosage- Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water

Conclusion

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a complex and deadly disease but can be managed and treated very well with potent herbal medicines. Successful treatment of any disease is possible only if the disease is diagnosed timely and the best possible treatment is started at the earliest. So always keep a check on your health and do consult a doctor on appearance of the any of the mentioned complaints.