The Jaundice

Our clinic is more famous in the treatment of jaundice. As we have mentioned in our history about its evolution in this treatment from our forefathers, it is being continued by me as the 6th generation. As I am not intending to end this service with my regime, my daughter Ms.Shreya Vummidi has now graduated B.H.M.S in Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India Will continue the service as the next generation successor. She has successfully finished her course of 5 and half years in flying colours, has joined me in ‘DR.ANANTH’S HOMOEO CLINIC’ from April 2013.

Liver disorders-hepatitis.

Being specialised in the treatment of Jaundice, I would like to brief about Jaundice.

  • What is JAUNDICE
  • What are the causes of JAUNDICE
  • What are the types of JAUNDICE
  • What are the Preventive measures of JAUNDICE
  • What are the Diet to be followed in JAUNDICE
  • About vaccination
  • Lab investigations
  • Complications

What is JAUNDICE?

Jaundice though it is considered as a disease, actually is only a symptom syndrome which is exhibited through yellowish discolouration of eyes, yellow urine, lack of appetite, tiredness and even yellowishness of the deeper tissues like under the tongue, nails and finally the whole skin in severe cases, tenderness in the liver region etc.

Mostly it starts with fever followed by vomiting even water, yellowish urine. This particular symptom of vomiting even water after a fever is a strong guiding symptom to be suspected of jaundice. In some cases it may start with itching of body.

What are the causes of JAUNDICE?

Jaundice is mostly infected through contaminated water, food, air, oral, nasal, faecal, through urination, close contact with an infected person, blood transfusion, contaminated needles and through illegal sex.

What are the types of JAUNDICE?

The most common types of jaundice are dysfunctional, infection due to various viruses like Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus etc.

It may also be due to

  • Hemolysis- Hemolytic Jaundice.
  • Icterus Neonatorum.
  • Erythroblastosis Fetalis
  • Drug induced Hepatitis.
  • Obstructive or surgical Jaundice.

The common types of jaundice are mostly dysfunctional or due to virus A or B. The rest of the types are infrequent.

Haemolytic Jaundice mostly occurs after an attack of Intermittent or malarial fevers or due to improperly treated jaundice. In this condition mostly the Indirect Bilirubin in the blood will show higher levels than Direct Bilirubin.(Details of Bilirubin will be explained later). This Indirect Bilirubin in the blood will be more static and difficult to be excreted in the urine and thus maintaining a constant higher Indirect Bilirubinemia.

Icterus Neonatorum This type of Jaundice develops in the newborn. It happens even in Pre-term delivery. This is mostly Physiological, that means it needs no treatment. It will fade away by itself, but sometimes it may lead to prolonged high Bilirubin levels in the blood where medical intervention may be necessary.

Erythroblastosis Fetalis This is a rare condition in the newborn due to Rh incompatibility in the blood of the parents. This condition is mostly fatal. Drug induced Hepatitis This type of Jaundice is due to excess or prolonged intake of certain Allopathic medicines like Antibiotics and Steroids.

Obstructive Jaundice or Surgical Jaundice: As the name itself indicates, this type of Jaundice mostly needs surgical intervention.

It may be due to a stone obstructing a Biliary tree like Hepatic Duct or Common Blie Duct. It may also be due to a growth in the head of the pancreas (mostly cancerous growth).

Preventive measures of JAUNDICE:

As we are aware that water and food are the main source of infection for jaundice, it is pertinent enough that the water we drink should be hygienic without any contamination.

  • Boiled and cooled water are most preferred to drink.
  • Frequent intake of outside food should be avoided.
  • Fresh foods are to be consumed.
  • Refrigerated left over foods should be avoided.
  • To avoid excess fatty rich and non vegetarian food.
  • To avoid close contact with an infected person.
  • To eat food in time.
  • To drink sufficient water.
  • To have a sufficient sleep.
  • To avoid self medication.
  • To use only disposable needles whenever necessary.
  • To do periodical blood check up for Hepatitis virus.
  • To vaccinate periodically for Hepatitis.

Diet to be followed in JAUNDICE:

This is one disease where Diet and Regimen plays a major role than medicine for a speedy recovery and to avert from its complications.

The patient should be on Fat free diet, eat more palatable fruits, vegetables and greens, drink more fluids and glucose(except diabetics), restrict salt, totally avoid smoking, chewing tobacco, paan, consuming alcohol etc.

REST is very important for a jaundice patient. Physical Exertion will aggravate the condition or prevent its recovery.

About vaccination:

Preventive Vaccinations are available for Hepatitis A and B, which is highly recommended periodically.

Laboratory investigations:

The first and foremost diagnosis is made by observing the colour of the conjunctiva and the clinical symptoms and signs of the patient.

Apart from that, presently various diagnostic aids are available like blood test(Liver Function Test), urine test, ultrasonogram of the abdomen, CT, MRI etc,.

ERCP, MRCP may be necessary in case of suspected obstructive Jaundice. Finally a liver biopsy maybe necessary in a few rare cases.

Complications:

Complications may occur in any disease if neglected or improperly treated. It may happen even in a simple fever. A person suffering with Jaundice has to be very careful from the very moment he is diagnosed to be infected with jaundice.

If there is any negligence in following the given diet and regimen, or not taking a proper treatment in the right time until full recovery or taking a wrong treatment, it may lead to various complications like –

  • CALD (Chronic Active Liver Disease)
  • Haemolytic Jaundice
  • Cirrhosis Liver (shrunken liver)
  • Ascitis (collection of fluid in the abdomen)
  • Cancer Liver
  • In case of Hepatitis –A infection, the Jaundice may initially increase for a few days and only then it will regress. This infection is reversible if treated properly.
  • In case of Hepatitis-B infection, it may be present in the Blood with or without Jaundice. So it is advised to do a Blood check up for the infection periodically in the Master Health Check Up. Hepatitis-B infection is generally considered Incurable, but Homoeopathic treatment can cure the infection or control it. That means it can make it negative in Blood or keep the Virus Latent or dormant or inactive, so that the Virus cannot damage the Liver at any point of time. It is this Virus that can lead to complications like Cirrhosis of Liver of Cancer of the Liver, if untreated or uncontrolled.

Regarding the Blood Test for Jaundice, It is advised to do an LFT (Liver Function Test), which comprises of : Serum Bilirubin –Direct Bilirubin and Indirect Bilirubin, SGOT , SGPT, Serum Alkaliine Phosphate, Total Protein(Albumin &Globulin) and GGTP. These levels will be increased in a jaundice patient, depending upon the depth of the disease.

(Bilirubin is a chemical present normally in the Blood in a small quantity of up to 1 mg.) Bilirubin is called Direct or Indirect, depending upon the changes the Bile undergoes in the Liver.

Regarding Rh incompatibility as mentioned above, Rh. Is a factor in Blood Group called Rhesus Factor. Any Blood Group may have Rh +ve or Rh –ve . Rh incompatibility is the disease of the new born. The disease ranges from mild to severe and typically occurs only in second or subsequent pregnancies of Rh –ve women, where the Fetus’s father is Rh +ve . It may lead to severe anaemia and death of the Fetus at times.

Master health check up

Master Health Check Up should be done as a routine, once a year by every Individual at least from the age of 40 years.

Basically it should consist of: –

  • CBC (Complete Blood Count)
  • Sugar (Fasting & Post Prandial)
  • Lipid Profile
  • Liver Function Test
  • Urea, Creatinine & Uric Acid
  • Serum Electrolytes
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBsAg)
  • Serum Calcium
  • Vitamin –D (25 OH).( This Vitamin is found to be low in many case of late.)
  • ECG
  • Echo Cardiogram
  • Ultrasonogram of the Abdomen

Note:

As Homoeopathic medicines are free from toxins, antibiotics, or crudeness of any drug it does not cause any damage to the liver or to the patient. Hence it is very effective and safe in the treatment of Jaundice especially in pregnant women and infants.