Chronic Hepatitis is used to describe inflammation or swelling of the liver. Inflamed liver is due to alcohol misuse, exposure to certain to toxic chemicals, allergic reactions, overdose of drugs and viral infections. In rare cases inherited metabolic disorders can also lead to chronic hepatitis.Viral Hepatitis tend to be acute and they usually stay for a few weeks. The common forms of Hepatitis include hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In chronic hepatitis the swelling of the liver may continue up to six months.

The most common cause of chronic hepatitis is a virus. These viruses include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis D. Chronic Hepatitis may advance to cirrhosis and liver failure. A minor section of the people who suffer from cirohosis may develop liver cancer over time.

Symptoms

In the initial stages of the disease Chronic hepatitis may not show any symptoms. The patients mostly complain of fatigue at first. The other symptoms include

• Pain in the joints
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Loss of appetite

In the later stages of chronic hepatitis the patient may experience additional symptoms such as:

• Jaundice (eyes and skin turning yellow)
• Muscle weakness
• Dark brown urine
• Abdominal swelling
• Spontaneous bleeding

Ayurvedic management

‘Yakrit’ is the name given to the liver in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda ‘pitta’ is the main humor of the liver. Aggravated conditions of ‘pitta’ lead to most of the liver disorders. High bile production or stoppage in the flow of bile indicates high pitta, which may adversely affect agni or enzyme activities responsible for digestion, metabolism and absorption.

Aggravation of the pitta is the major cause for liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis and fatty liver. Kaamala is the name given in Ayurvedic texts to describe the wide range of liver diseases.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis through naturopathy has provided beneficial result. The ayurvedic treatment involves shodana chikita (Panchakarma procedure), Shamana chikitsa and Kayakalpa (rejuvenation).

Change in lifestyle, strict diet and de-addiction are the necessary factors practiced for the best possible results.