Vol. 2 :: No. 08 July, 2000 (Asadh-Shrawan)

Health

Jaundice and Homeopathic Treatment

By Dr. S.C. Srivastava

Jaundice is a liver related disease. In jaundice we find yellowish coloration of the sclera of the eyes, skin
and mucous membrane, nail of the hands and legs and gradually the whole body. It is generally caused by the increased amount of bilirubin in the blood circulation. Our body looks red due to red blood cells in the blood. The presences of red cells are 4.5 million to 5.5 million per cubic milliliter of the blood.

In case of jaundice, the amount of yellow colored bilirubin increases the blood circulation. It accounts for the yellow color of the body.

Red blood cells live for 120 days. Completing their age red blood cells go under a process of breaking down forming bilirubin and other substances. Normally, this bilirubin is transported to liver for conjugation process and is eventually excreted into bile. This bile is stored in gall bladder from where it goes into the intestine for the digestion of fat and meat as required. For the purpose of description, we can classify the jaundice into three types.

1. Haemolytic jaundice : It is also known as prehepatic jaundice. In this jaundice, excessive breakdown of red blood cells occurs in blood. The real cause of the type is unknown but it is believed that low resistance power and formation of low quality red blood cells can cause hemolytic jaundice. For example, in hemolytic anemia, bilirubin may be produced so rapidly and in such quantities that the liver cannot excrete it fast enough to avoid jaundice. The liver of a newborn functions poorly for the first week or so, and many babies experience a mild form of jaundice called neonatal or physiological jaundice that disappears as the liver matures.
2. Infective jaundice : It is also known as hepatic jaundice. This type is due to disjunction of liver cells owing to congenital liver diseases, cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis. The name itself suggests that this type is caused by infection in liver. Infection causes inflammation of the liver which makes it unable for its normal work. Adequate amount of bilirubin is not conjugated by the liver. So, bilirubin accumulates in the blood circulation.
3. Extra hepatic or obstructive jaundice : It is also known as surgical jaundice. It involves blockage of the bile drainage. Cause of this type include gallstone, cancer of the bowel and cancer of the head of pancreas.

Due to blockage of the drainage, bilirubin accumulates in liver and then in blood circulation.

General signs and symptoms of jaundice are :

• Gradually whole body becomes yellow.
• Anorexia (no desire to take meal and Nausia.)
• Constipation,
• Sometimes clay colored stool.
• Itching in the whole body specially in chronic cases.
• Slow pulse rate
• Weakness and Insomnia (sleeplessness)

Treatment

Management : Constipation should be avoided. If needed, enema should be given.
Patient should be kept on simple diet. Fish, meat, egg, ghee should be avoided.
Fruit juice including canejuice should be preferred.

Homeopathic Medicines :

According to symptoms, following medicines are indicated:

• Bryonia alb 200 - If there is inflammation of liver and excessive thirst with dryness of mouth.
• Carduous Mar 3x - If there is bitter taste in mouth, constipation, nausea and vomiting and the liver is tender.
• Chelidonium 3x - If pain is felt in the liver along with the pain in the right shoulder.
• China off 30 - If both liver and spleen are enlarged, there is gas in the stomach, erructation, and no desire to take meal.
• Hydrastis 3x - If there is pain in the lever and the liver functionis week.

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