Diet Cure for Cirrhosis of the Liver - Home remedies, symptom, cause, treatment of Liver

What is Cirrhosis of the Liver ?

Cirrhosis of the liver refers to all forms of liver disease characterised by a significant loss of cells. It is one of the most serious hepatic diseases. The liver gradually contracts in size and becomes hard and leathery. In cirrhosis of the liver, although regenerative activity continues, the loss of liver cells exceeds cell replacement. There is also distortion of the vascular system which interfers with the portal blood flow through the liver. The progressive degeneration of liver structure and function may ultimately lead to hepatic failure and death. The most common of several form of cirrhosis is portal cirrhosis, also known as haennoc's cirrhosis.

What are the symptom of Liver?

In the early stages of the disease, there may be nothing more than frequent attacks of gas and indigestion, with occasional nausea and vomiting. There may be some abdominal pain and loss of weight. In the advanced stage, the patient develops a low grade fever. He has a foul breath, jaundiced skin and distended veins in the abdomen. Reddish hairlike markings, resembling small spiders, may appear on the face, neck, arms and trunk. The abdomen becomes bloated and swollen, the mind gets clouded and there may be considerable bleeding from the stomach.

What are the causes of Cirrhosis of the Liver ?

Excessive use of alcohol over a long period is the most potent cause of cirrhosis of the liver. It has been estimated that 1 out of 12 chronic alcoholics in the United States develops cirrhosis. The disease can progress to the end-stage of hepatic failure, if the person does not abstain from alcohol. Cirrhosis appears to be related to the duration of alcohol intake and the quantity consumed daily. Recent research indicates that the average duration of alcohol intake to produce cirrhosis is 10 years and the dose is estimated to be in excess of 16 ounces of alcohol daily.

Dietary Treatment of Cirrhosis of the Liver and home remedies

The patient should be kept in bed. He must abstain completely from alcohol in any form. He should undergo an initial liver cleaning programme with a juice fast for seven days. Freshly-extracted juices from red beets, lemon, papaya and grapes may be taken during this period. This may be followed by the fruit and milk diet for two to three weeks. In this regimen, the patient should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits and milk. The fruits may include apples, pears, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, pineapples and peaches. Two pints of milk may be taken on the first day. It should be increased by half a pint daily upto four or five pints a day. The milk should be fresh and unboiled, but may be slightly warmed, if desired. It should be sipped very slowly.

After the fruit and milk diet, the patient may gradually embark upon well-balanced diet of three basic food fruits, with emphasis on raw organically-grown foods. Adequate high quality protein is necessary in cirrhosis. The best complete proteins for liver patients are obtained from raw goat's milk, home-made raw cottage cheese, sprouted seeds and grains and raw nuts, especially almonds. Vegetables such as beet, squashes , bitter gourds, egg-plants, tomatoes, carrots, radishes and papayas are useful in this condition. All fats and oils should be excluded from the diet for several weeks.

A warm water enema should be used during the treatment to cleanse the bowels. If constipation is chronic, all steps should be taken for its eradication. Application of alternate compress to liver area followed by general wet sheet rub will be beneficial. The morning dry friction and breathing and other exercises should form a regular daily features of the treatment.