Alcohol and Liver Damage: Stages, Symptoms, and Ayurvedic Remedies for Healing

Alcohol is a part of many cultures playing important role in celebration, tradition and socialization however consistent and excessive use of alcohol consumption passes serious risk to public health at increasing the risk of liver disease, heart disease, stroke and various types of cancer.

Alcohol affects liver but one never understand it before liver has been seriously damaged. When liver is damaged it starts showing following symptoms:

Sickness
Weight loss
Yellow eyes and skin
Swelling in ankle and tummy
Drowsiness
Confusion
Vomiting blood and passing blood in stools

If you are drinking alcohol regularly, please check with your doctor or gastroenterologist if your liver is damaged.

Liver is one of the most complicated organ in human body. The major functions of liver include:

Filtration of toxins from the blood
aids smooth digestion
balances sugar levels and cholesterol
fights infection and diseases

Interestingly, Liver works silently and is capable of regeneration. You must be wondering what will happen even if one consume alcohol daily as it is going to regenerate on its own?

LET’S SEE!

Each time you consume alcohol liver filters it nicely but in the process of filtration of alcohol your liver cells some liver cells die. Drinking alcohol for years reduces capacity of your liver to regenerate leading to permanent damage to your liver.

In India number of people with the liver damage has been increasing over few decades because of misuse of alcohol.

Three stages of Alcohol-related liver disease

1. ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER
2. ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS
3. CIRRHOSIS

1. ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER

It is caused by the extra alcohol consumption. Fat being deposited inside the liver cells. Fatty liver does not cause any symptom. Fatty liver condition is a reversible condition. if you stop alcohol for 2 weeks your fatty liver will reverse.

2. ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

It’s different from infectious hepatitis. This one is also a serious condition. It occurs when you drink large amount of alcohol at one time or in a short period of time. Actually this is the first time when you notice liver damage related symptoms in your body.

This is a serious and life threatening condition. Many people die at this level but surprisingly this condition is also a reversible condition, if you stop drinking alcohol permanently.

3. CIRRHOSIS

Cirrhosis forms due to scarring of the liver which leads to yellow eyes and yellow skin. Though non reversible, you can still prevent further liver damage and increase your life expectancy significantly if you stop drinking alcohol permanently.

If person who is detected with cirrhosis does not stop drinking immediately then he has 50% chance of living for five more years.

ALSO MANY COMPLICATIONS ARISE DUE TO ALCOHOL RELATED LIVER DISEASES. These complications are-

🔶 Internal bleed
🔶 Building up toxins in brain
🔶 Fluid accumulation and kidney failure
🔶 Lastly, Liver cancer

Alcohol affects the pancreas and put you at the risk of cancer and diabetes. You develop range of cancers like throat cancer, mouth cancer if you drink alcohol on a regular basis.

One can still be hopeful as there are many ways to support speedy recovery from liver damage related diseases.

HERBS TO NATURALLY REGENERATE AND HEAL YOUR LIVER

1. BHRINGRAJ PANCHANG

Best herb to protect your liver cells.
Bhringraj in powder form is diuretic therefore it helps to manage urinary complications.
It protect liver cells against damage caused by free radicals.

2. BHUIAMLA PANCHANG

Desi Bhui Amla protects liver as it is known as hepatoprotective herb.
Bhui Amla reduces swelling in the liver, jaundice.
Bhui Amla improves weak liver function.

3. KUTKI or KATUKU

This Indian herb is known as sarva rognivarini.
Katuki offers support to the liver function by secreting bile which helps liver enzymes to come down to normal levels.
Katuki cleanses and detoxifies liver improving its function.

4. CHIRATA BARK

This plant is a holy grail for several ailments like malaria, diabetes and liver disorders.
Nutrients in chirata help in protecting and boosting liver health by boosting cell generation and removing toxins from the outer layers of liver.

5. GUDUCHI PANCHANG or GILOY

The ministry of AYUSH re-iterates giloy as a non toxic ayurvedic medicine.
Guduchi supports natural detoxification processes.
Guduchi prevents fatty liver condition.

Precautions

It is advisable to use BHRINGRAJ in the recommended dosage as high dosage may cause stomach problem.

Use giloy or guduchi under the guidance of a qualified practitioner only.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO KEEP YOUR LIVER SAFE.

To keep liver damage risk at low, it is safest not to drink alcohol permanently.

Set new more self challenging target for yourself.

Eat healthy, balanced and colorful diet.

1. To make your plate colourful include antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, fibres.

2. Prioritise healthy eating including green leafy vegetables such as methi, spinach. Yellow, Red fruits like oranges, barries, apples, strawberries.
3. Eat whole grains and variety of grains like Jawar, Bajra, Ragi etc. also
4. Eat plant protein like soyabean and legumes. high protein will keep you away from serious damage.

Focus on your hydration. Drinking required amount of water is also very important to keep your liver safe.

Weight loss is also very important. If you are overweight, you need to lose your weight by exercise or various forms of exercises.

Avoid unnecessary toxins. Sprayed chemicals are harmful to your liver. Aerosol sprays, spray paints, spray insecticides, spray fungicides, any other forms of chemicals must be avoided or Use face mask or gloves while dealing with it.

As we have understood Cirrhosis scars are irreversible but first two stages can be reversed. Quitting alcohol and adopting healthy lifestyle can help you heal from fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis. You can stop further damage after cirrhosis if you stop drinking and follow all lifestyle rules and doctors advise. Definitely, you can reverse your liver damage with positive wholistic approach including lifestyle changes, ayurveda, yoga, allopathy, diet, exercises and recreation.