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Liver Inflammation Remedies

Liver inflammation is caused by the virus hepatitis. Several strains of hepatitis have been identified, ranging in severity. Hepatitis A is highly contagious and typically caused by consuming food contaminated with fecal matter. Hepatitis B is a virus which can be transmitted through blood, semen and other bodily fluids. Hepatitis C, which can only transmitted through blood, can permanently scar the liver. Chronic hepatitis can cause permanent liver damage and even liver failure. Fortunately, there are several remedies for fighting hepatitis.

  1. Antiviral Medications

    • Although medications may not be necessary or effective against all hepatitis viruses, several anti-viral medications can be used to treat hepatitis B and C. Injections of Interferon, which your body produces to fight against invading viruses, can help invigorate your immune system to combat hepatitis B. Lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil are oral medications that help stop HPV growth.

    Natural Remedies

    • At-home remedies may also impact hepatitis. Try cleansing the liver with burdock root and dandelion. Support liver function with black cumin seed oil. Repair and protect a damaged liver with milk thistle, a Meditteranean herb with plenty of flavinoids. For hepatitis B sufferers, regular doses of phyllanthus can prevent flare-ups by blocking the DNA polymerase that the HPV virus needs to reproduce.

    Liver Transplants

    • In cases of advanced liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver failure due to chronic hepatitis, a liver transplant may be recommended. The liver transplant can be orthotopic, meaning a diseased liver was replaced with a healthy liver from a deceased donor, or a living donor transplant, in which a living person donates part of his or her liver. Hepatitis can still recur after the transplant, but the patient has a stronger liver with which to contend with the disease.

    Other Actions to Take

    • In addition to prescribed medications and natural remedies, the impact of hepatitis can be lessened with a few simple measures. Limit your alcohol intake, or stop drinking altogether because the liver has to work hard to process alcohol. Reducing alcohol consumption also helps the liver heal and regenerate. Also, avoid multivitamins with vitamins A and D, which can be toxic to the liver in large doses. In addition, watch protein intake, as consuming more protein than a liver with limited function can handle can cause toxic build-up, leading to mental confusion. To determine how much protein in grams to consume in a day, divide weight in pounds by two.

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