Treatment for Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a disease of the liver, so naturally changes in diet and lifestyle do greatly affect the condition of most patients. This condition occurs due to viral infection that infects the liver and produces a variety of symptoms. It can worsen if not treated in the early stages, so beginning to curb your lifestyle as soon as possible will only improve treatment. Some treatment methods that are most effective are:
How can I change my diet?
- Include lots of green fruits and vegetables in your diet.
- Dark green fruits, vegetables, red fruits, and beets
- Drink plenty of filtered water to avoid dehydration.
- Maintain a daily routine of exercise, but do not make it too strenuous. Walking is usually a good exercise option.
- Homeopathic medicine works for many people who suffer from hepatitis
- Keeping stress levels low by doing relaxing exercises or seeking the help of a therapist for emotional issues
- Herbal products like green tea, Burdock root, milk thistle, safflower, artichoke, turmeric, and peppers may help in the proper amounts.
- To reduce liver the toxins in the liver limit use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs (even over-the-counter medications).
- Whole grains, like oats, barley, brown rice, corn, bulgur, gram, quinoa, etc.
- Include healthy fats in the daily diet, like nuts, almonds, avocados and olive oil.
- Lean protein foods, like fish, skinless chicken, beans, soy and egg whites should be consumed.
- One must make a habit of taking low-fat or non-fat dairy products, like toned milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
- Starchy vegetables, like potatoes, pumpkin, peas, etc. are regarded as an important constituent of a Hepatitis recovery diet.
- Taking small meals may turn out beneficial, thus, one must not consume in bulk.
Ayurvedic Treatment
Even some western doctors may suggest Ayurvedic treatment for hepatitis virus because it has been known to be very effective. Here are some of the more common Ayurvedic treatment practices:
- Eclipta Alba: The leaves of a plant called eclipta alba are very effective against hepatitis. In fact, no other herbal treatments for hepatitis match the effectiveness of eclipta alba. Scientists found that its active ingredients are named demethyl wedelolactone and wedelolactone, and they protect the liver from the hepatitis virus. The juice of the eclipta alba leaf may be bitter in taste, but is also very effective treatment of jaundice and other side effects of liver damage. In 1979, the treatment of Ayurveda first came to the western world. A man named Dr. Thyagarajan is known as the inventor of the natural herbal medicine that fights against hepatitis viruses. In Asia, the treatment of hepatitis was quite expensive and in many areas of South Asia, no treatment at all was available. Dr. Thyagarajan made a tablet from Keezharnelli plant that can cure hepatitis B effectively, and as a result many Indian doctors now started using Ayurvedic medicines together with their traditional practices.
The common cliche, “Prevention is better than a cure,” is definitely true in the case of the liver. Those who want to avoid having hepatitis should follow the preventive actions below to prevent the spread of the virus. Here are some easy-to-follow tips:
- Do not drink impure water.
- Get enough sleep each night.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol.
- Antiviral medicine is a good option for those who have already contracted hepatitis.
- If you visit an area where hepatitis virus is common, do not eat or drink any food that was prepared there.
- Practice protected sex if your partner is hepatitis positive.
- Always follow instructions given by a doctor.
- Do not eat undercooked meat or fish.
Liver Transplantation
Liver transplant is typically the last option for hepatitis patients if the disease becomes serious. Liver transplantation is a complicated process which involves the replacement of an infected liver with a healthy liver. A special surgeon experienced in transplants will harvest the healthy liver from an organ donor. This surgeon will then implant the new liver into the body and provide anti-rejection medication so that your body may recognize the liver as its own and so that it functions properly.
As you can see, hepatitis patients should not lose hope because of their condition. There are many ways to achieve hepatitis relief, and it is important to find the ones that work for you.
Things to be Strictly Avoided:
- High-fat Dairy products and Saturated fats, like butter, sour cream, skimmed milk, fried foods and red meat.
- Carbonated drinks.
- Restrict foods with a high percentage of salts or sodium.
- Cookies, cakes, ice-creams or packages foods with high sugar content.
- It is further, advised to limit the intake of fruit juices as these contain high amounts of sugar and fall hard on the liver.
- A Gluten-free diet can turn out beneficial to the liver, since, wheat and genetically modified grains are highly inflammatory and cause difficulty in digestion. Thus, it is better to avoid these foods.
- Say a big ‘No’ to Artificial Sweeteners because these are extremely hard for the liver to process.
- The liver experiences hardships in handling the Hydrogenated or refined oils, thus, these can be supplemented with flaxseed oil, canola oil or virgin olive oil.
It is further, recommended by expert dietitians and medical practitioners that hepatitis patient should not consume raw or undercooked shellfish, since, these can harbor bacteria and viruses. One should also limit the consumption of processed or canned foods, since these include chemical additives summed with preservatives, fillers and high salt levels.
Take Precautions while taking Dietary Supplements:
A Hepatitis victim should be careful while consuming the dietary supplements, since, a high intake of vitamins or minerals may lead to an adverse effect on the liver and affect its functioning. Thus, it is suggested that before taking any supplement, a doctor or dietician should be consulted. Furthermore, one should exceed the recommended doses because these can disturb the metabolism and can turn out dangerous on the health and well-being of an individual. Thus, it is suggested to control the use and be cautious about the supplements which provide:
- Iron
- Vitamin A, B3, C, D and K
The above measures if carefully followed will definitely make a positive influence on the health of a Hepatitis affected individual.
