Supportive Homeopathy for Alcoholic Liver Disease 

Alcoholic liver disease refers to damage to the liver that result from excessive alcohol drinking for years. Alcohol abuse for years can result in fat build up, swelling, inflammation or scarring (cirrhosis) in the liver. It is a serious issue and can be fatal if not treated well in time. The damage to liver in this occurs from a chemical acetaldehyde which is produced from breakdown of alcohol in the body. Homeopathy for alcoholic liver disease should be used in cases where symptoms are mild to moderate in intensity as a supportive measure. 

This disease doesn’t occur in all the persons who take alcohol regularly. But why some people develop it and others don’t is not known yet. Heavy drinking frequently, having a family history of this disease, poor nutrition, hepatitis C are some of its risk factors. People who drink beer have more of a chance of developing it than persons who take wine.  

Symptoms 

In some cases no symptoms are experienced by the sufferer until the disease has progressed far. But some people experience the signs and symptoms early in the disease.

The early symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, fatigue and abdominal discomfort/pain. The signs and symptoms that occur after progression of disease are jaundice, swelling in the legs, fluid build up  in abdomen (ascites), weight loss, muscle wasting, weakness, intense itching on the skin, easy bleeding or bruising, redness of hands or feet, fever, blood in stool or  in vomiting and fainting. In males enlargement of the breast can be seen.

Some of the mind related symptoms include confusion,  impaired memory, mood swings and frequent and easy agitation. Some of the complications of this disease are permanent scarring in the liver, high blood pressure in the liver blood vessels, bleeding enlarged veins in the food pipe and a loss of brain function. 

Stages of Alcoholic Liver Disease 

It has three stages:

First stage – Alcoholic fatty liver disease is the first stage. In this there occurs a collection of fat in the liver. Generally no symptoms appear in this stage. Complete stoppage of alcohol drinking can reverse this stage.

Second stage – The second stage is acute alcoholic hepatitis. In this swelling and inflammation appears in the liver. In mild cases it can be reversed with treatment but in severe cases it can proceed to liver failure.

Third stage – Thhis is the most serious and severe stage in which liver cirrhosis occurs. Cirrhosis means scarring in the liver. The liver damage is permanent in this stage and it can not be reversed but complete stoppage of alcohol intake can prevent further damage. Liver failure can occur when there is severe damage from liver cirrhosis.

Homeopathy for Alcoholic Liver Disease 

Homeopathy plays a supportive role in managing symptoms of alcoholic liver disease along with conventional mode of treatment and complete stoppage of alcohol intake. Homeopathic medicines are safe and natural that bring gradual relief in its symptoms. Though these can’t reverse the damage that had already occurred, they effectively manage its symptoms like nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain. Use of these medicines is recommended only when the symptoms are mild to moderate in intensity. But in cases where symptoms are severe and serious then urgent help from conventional mode of treatment is advised strictly. As it is a serious disease, one should take homeopathic medicines for its management under supervision of a homeopathic doctor who can give the best suitable medicine selected following detailed case analysis. In no case self medication should be done.

1. Nux Vomica – Top Grade Medicine

It is one of the best medicine in homeopathy to manage complaints that arise from alcohol abuse. It is indicated when the liver region is swollen. It is also sore and tender. This is mostly accompanied with pain in the right shoulder. Vomiting may also be there. This is especially present at the night time. Stinging, stitching or shooting type of pain in the liver may be felt with these. Next appetite may be lost. A constant   nausea can occur with above complaints.

2. Chelidonium – For Fatty, Inflamed Liver

It is a natural medicine prepared from the plant Chelidonium Majus. Commonly known as Greater Celandine. It belongs to the family papaveraceae. It is the next important medicine indicated for managing a number of liver complaints. It is prominent for fatty liver and liver inflammation. Persons needing it complain of pain in the liver region that extends to the back and shoulder. For using it the pain can be shooting, stitching, dull throbbing or pressive in nature. Other than these they feel a sense of fullness and  pressure in the liver area.

2. Carduus Marianus  – When Liver Pain and Jaundice are Present

This medicine is prepared from seeds of plant silybum that belongs to family compositae. In cases requiring it there is liver pain and is attended with jaundice. Pain can be drawing or stitching type to use it. Hepatic area is sensitive to pressure along with this. Tension and pressure feeling in the liver attends above particularly when lying on the left side. Loss of appetite may be present with this. It is also indicated for managing cases of cirrhosis of liver accompanied with edema (swelling from fluid build up mostly seen in ankles, feet and legs). 

3. Phosphorus – For Supportive Help in Fatty Liver, Liver Inflammation and Cirrhosis

This medicine offers  firstly help to manage cases of fatty liver. In this stage the symptoms indicating its use are stitching pain in liver and excessive weakness. Jaundice may also be there with this. Next petechial spots can be present on the body especially on the arms. In case of hepatitis enlarged and hard liver indicates its use. Next it is indicated to manage liver cirrhosis that had resulted from alcohol abuse. Other than the above passage of blood in stool in liver congestion also points towards its use.

It is also indicated for managing vomiting. It may be of white or yellow bitter matter, sour or even bloody or blood mixed with bile or mucus. Excessive desire for cold drinks is a general symptom that can accompany above symptoms when it is required. 

4. Lycopodium – For Pressive Pain in Liver

It is prepared from plant Lycopodium Clavatum having the common name club moss. It belongs to the family Lycopodiaceae. This medicine is recommended to manage liver pain especially of pressive nature. The episodes of pain occur frequently. The pain may extend to the middle of the upper abdomen also. The liver is also painful in spots. Along with this taste of mouth is bitter, tongue is coated and soon after eating, the abdomen feels bloated.

5. Arsenic Album – For Inflamed Liver

It is a very beneficial medicine for managing liver inflammation cases. Its use is considered when pressing pain and tension in the liver region is the main symptom. Along with this burning sensation can be felt in the liver area. A unique characteristic is relief in burning sensation by warm drinks. It also feels distended. Liver may be enlarged too. It is one of the most prominent medicines for managing fatigue, weakness, exhaustion. It also works well in cases of nausea and vomiting that occurs after eating and drinking.

6. Bryonia – For Stitching, Tensive and Burning Pain in Liver

It is prepared from the root of a plant named Bryonia alba or wild hops. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. It is a suitable medicine for managing cases of stitching, tensive or burning pain in the liver. In most cases needing it the pain gets worse from deep inspiration. It also increases from coughing or touching the liver. The pain radiates to the right shoulder. Jaundice may be present along with this. Next vomiting of solid food  or of food, mucus and bile may occur. The liver region feels heavy, swollen with this. It gets better by lying on it. 

7. Hydrastis – For Jaundice, Weakness in Liver Inflammation

This medicine is prepared from fresh root of plant Hydrastis canadensis commonly known as GoldenSeal and Orange root. It belongs to family ranunculaceae. This medicine is indicated for managing jaundice, weakness from inflamed liver. With this appetite is lost, tongue is coated and the liver is tender. Depression may also be present.

8. Natrum Sulph – For Nausea, Vomiting, Jaundice

This medicine is well indicated to manage nausea and vomiting mainly in case of liver inflammation. Vomiting is initially sour then bitter. People needing it have stitches in their liver. Swelling and soreness in the liver is also felt by them. Other than this it is indicated for management of jaundice. 

9. Merc Sol – For Low Appetite, Weakness, Vomiting

This is a well-indicated medicine for managing low appetite, weakness and vomiting in cases where inflammation of the liver is present. Vomiting is of bile and water. With this liver pain is felt. This is attended with inability to lie on the right side. Jaundice can accompany it. The liver is also tender to touch. Liver is hard, swollen. There is excessive thirst for water. Taste of the mouth is bitter.