Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Overview

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol.
The main feature of NAFLD is the excess buildup of fat in the liver cells, which can lead to liver inflammation and damage over time.

Symptoms

Many people with NAFLD may have no symptoms, especially in the early stages. When symptoms appear, they may include:

Enlarged liver
Fatigue
Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen
Abdominal swelling (ascites)
Enlarged blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface
Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia)
Enlarged spleen
Red palms
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Effects (Complications)

If left untreated, NAFLD can progress and cause:

Liver inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH)
Fibrosis (scarring of liver tissue)
Cirrhosis – severe scarring that affects liver function
Liver failure in advanced cases
Increased risk of liver cancer
Metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease

Treatment

There is no specific medication for NAFLD yet. Treatment mainly focuses on lifestyle changes and managing related conditions:

Lifestyle & Medical Care

Weight loss – losing 7–10% of body weight can reduce fat in the liver
Healthy diet – a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein; avoid sugary drinks and processed foods
Regular exercise – at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week
Control diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol – with medicines if necessary
Avoid alcohol – even small amounts can worsen liver damage
Medications – Vitamin E or insulin-sensitizing drugs (like pioglitazone) may be recommended in select cases under medical supervision

Homeopathic Support (Complementary Care)
(Helps improve liver function and reduce symptoms; must be guided by a qualified homeopath)

Chelidonium majus – for liver pain and jaundice
Lycopodium – for bloating, digestive issues, and liver weakness
Carduus marianus – supports liver detox and reduces fatty deposits
Nux vomica – for liver damage linked to poor digestion or lifestyle stress
Phosphorus – for fatigue and weakness due to liver dysfunction

Note: Early detection and lifestyle modification are the key to preventing progression from fatty liver to cirrhosis or liver failure.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)

Overview

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), previously called primary biliary cirrhosis, is a chronic liver disease in which the bile ducts in the liver are gradually destroyed.

Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps absorb fats, vitamins, and remove toxins and worn-out red blood cells. When bile ducts are damaged, bile can accumulate in the liver, causing inflammation and irreversible scarring (cirrhosis) over time.

PBC progresses slowly and is more common in middle-aged women, though it can affect anyone. Early detection and treatment can slow disease progression and manage symptoms.

Symptoms

Early symptoms of PBC may include:

Fatigue
Itchy skin (pruritus)
Dry eyes and mouth
Pain in the upper right abdomen
Swelling of the spleen (splenomegaly)
Muscle, bone, or joint pain
Swollen feet and ankles (edema)

As the disease progresses, additional signs may appear:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Dark urine and pale stools
Easy bruising or bleeding
Osteoporosis due to poor vitamin absorption

Effects

Chronic liver inflammation leading to scarring and cirrhosis
Liver failure in advanced stages
Portal hypertension causing swelling in the legs and abdomen
Fatigue and reduced quality of life
Complications in other organs, such as bones (osteoporosis)

Treatment

1. Medications:

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to slow liver damage and improve bile flow
Obeticholic acid for patients who do not respond to UDCA
Antihistamines or cholestyramine for itching
Vitamin supplements (A, D, E, K) to address deficiencies

2. Lifestyle and Supportive Care:

Healthy diet to reduce liver stress
Regular exercise to maintain muscle and bone strength
Avoid alcohol and hepatotoxic medications

3. Advanced Treatments:

Liver transplant for end-stage disease or liver failure

Hepatotoxicity

Overview

Toxic liver disease refers to damage to the liver caused by harmful substances. It is also called hepatotoxicity or toxic hepatitis. Without timely treatment, this condition can result in serious health problems.

The severity can vary—some cases are mild, while others progress to permanent liver scarring (cirrhosis). Advanced damage may cause liver failure and can even be life-threatening. In certain cases, such as with an overdose or even short-term use of drugs like acetaminophen (paracetamol), liver failure may occur rapidly.

Symptoms of Hepatotoxicity

Possible signs and symptoms include:

Rash on the skin
Abdominal or stomach pain
Nausea and vomiting
Persistent fatigue or weakness
Dark-colored urine
Pale or clay-colored stools
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Loss of appetite
Fever

Gallstone-

Gallstones – Overview (Spaks Homeopathy)

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid (bile) that form inside the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver, responsible for storing and releasing bile into the small intestine to aid digestion.

Gallstones can vary in size, ranging from a tiny grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Some people may develop only a single gallstone, while others can develop multiple stones at the same time. While many gallstones are silent and cause no symptoms, they may also lead to severe abdominal pain and complications when they block bile ducts.

Causes of Gallstones

Imbalance in the substances that form bile (cholesterol, bile salts, bilirubin)
Excess cholesterol in bile leading to crystallization
Poor gallbladder emptying causing bile stasis
Obesity or rapid weight loss
Family history of gallstones
Female gender, pregnancy, and hormonal changes (estrogen influence)

Symptoms of Gallstones

Severe, sudden pain in the upper right abdomen (gallbladder colic), sometimes radiating to the upper back or right shoulder
Nausea and vomiting
Fever with chills (if infection develops)
Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes due to blocked bile flow)
Clay-colored stools or dark urine
Indigestion, bloating, or discomfort after fatty meals

Effects / Complications

Acute gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)
Blockage of bile ducts leading to severe pain and infection
Pancreatitis (if gallstones block the pancreatic duct)
Chronic digestive issues
Increased risk of gallbladder cancer (rare but serious)

Homeopathic Treatment for Gallstones (Spaks Homeopathy)

Homeopathy helps in managing gallstone-related pain, improving bile flow, and reducing the tendency to form stones. Some commonly used remedies include:

Chelidonium Majus – for right-sided abdominal pain radiating to the back and shoulder
Lycopodium Clavatum – for bloating, nausea, and gallstone colic, worse in the evening
Carduus Marianus – for gallbladder and liver disorders with jaundice
Calcarea Carbonica – for individuals prone to gallstone formation with sluggish digestion
China (Cinchona Officinalis) – for weakness, gas, and bloating after gallstone attacks

Note: Remedies must be chosen according to individual symptoms. Consultation with a qualified homeopathic physician is recommended for safe and effective treatment.