Fibrosis or scarring of the liver can be caused due to various types of liver disorders, such as hepatitis and chronic alcohol abuse. The liver controls several vital functions, including detoxification of toxic wastes in the body, cleaning the bloodstream and synthesizing essential nutrients.
Scarring occurs as a consequence to damage to the liver.
What Are The Causes Of Liver Fibrosis?
Scar tissue forms in the liver as a result of damage occurring over several years. Every time the liver gets damaged, it tries to get repaired on its own and consequently, scar tissue is formed. When the scar tissue accumulates, the liver function deteriorates. It is vital to establish the underlying cause for the fibrosis because treating the cause will ward off further impairment.
Commonly seen causes are:
- Accumulation of iron in body.
- Auto-immune hepatitis.
- Accumulation of fat in the liver.
- Buildup of copper in liver.
- Bile ducts not formed properly.
- Damage to the bile ducts.
- Scarring and hardening of the bile ducts.
- Inherited disorders of metabolism of sugar.
- Genetic digestive disorder
- Chronic abuse of alcohol
- Cystic fibrosis
- Hepatitis B, C
- Alcohol abuse
- Schistosomiasis infection
Signs And Symptoms Of Liver Fibrosis
Fibrosis is characterized by:
- Exhaustion
- Nausea
- Poor appetite
- Loss of weight
- Swelling in your legs
- Itching of the skin
- Easy bleeding and bruising.
- Yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes.
- Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
- Spider-like blood vessels on the skin.
- In extreme cases, slurring of speech and confusion.
Natural Treatment For Liver Fibrosis
- Management for alcohol dependency is vital when there is alcohol abuse. Your health care provider will recommend a treatment plan for alcohol addiction.
- Maintaining an ideal body weight and controlling blood sugar levels is an essential step in stopping liver impairment.
- Medicines are necessary to control the damage to the liver cells caused by hepatitis B or C.
- Make sure that you consume a low sodium diet. Excess salt causes the body to retain fluids, thus aggravating the swelling in the abdomen and legs.
- Consume a healthy diet. Some individuals tend to put on a lot of weight, whilst some are malnourished. Make sure that you maintain an ideal body weight. Have a healthy plant-based menu comprising of fresh fruits and vegetables. Opt for lean protein, such as legumes, poultry or fish.
- Use over the counter drugs very carefully. Scarring and fibrosis makes it very difficult for the liver to process drugs; thus, always confer with your health care provider before taking any medication, including non-prescription drugs. Steer clear of drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
- Ensure that your drink plenty of water and fluids daily. Have 3 liters of water and loads of soups, juices, broths, coconut water and barley water.
- Have 3 to 6 limes daily. Limes flush out toxins, protect the liver cells and assist in the process of detoxification.
- Milk thistle is widely used and best studied to manage the symptoms of fibrosis.
- Licorice root and astragalus have been advocated too. On the other hand, there isn’t adequate proof regarding the benefit from these two for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
- Dandelion juice is another very effective natural remedy for liver impairment. Have a glass daily; it sluices out noxious wastes, helps in detox and protects the liver.