Ayurvedic Treatment of Liver Disorders

Ayurvedic herbs can treat liver problem including Fatty liver, Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Ascites and Jaundice

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 12:28:00 +0530

Kamalahar is enriched with various herbs proven to be very effective for the treatment of liver problems. It has Tecoma undulata, Phyllanthus urinaria, Embelia ribes, Taraxacum officinale, Nyctanthes arbortritis and Terminalia arjuna.

Tecoma undulata is a herb which is proven to have medicinal property that helps in curing liver diseases especially for the treatment of hepatitis. It is also used in curing urinary disorders, enlargement of spleen, gonorrhea and leucoderma. Seeds are used against abscess.

Phyllanthus urinaria has been used for centuries to promote healthy elimination of gallstones and kidney stones. It is also used for the treatment of liver disease especially hepatitis B. Phyllanthus urinaria primarily contains lignans (e.g. phyllanthine and hypophyllanthine), gallic acid, alkaloids, and bioflavonoids (e.g. quercetin). While it remains unknown as to which of these substances has an antiviral effect, researchers believe that this herb acts primarily on the liver. Other research has revealed other possible benefits like helping to soothe the liver, detoxification of the liver and kidneys, relief from pain and inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and an ability to inhibit hepatitis B virus DNA replication. It is believed that the possible benefit that phyllanthus urinaria provides in cases of liver damage could be due to the plants anti-viral activity. In Ayurvedic medicine, Phyllanthus has been used for over 2000 years in India for many medicinal uses for those with liver disease including hepatitis.

Embelia ribes is quite beneficial in the treatment of liver ailments especially jaundice and also for strengthening the body. It also helps with gastric problem by either preventing formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract or facilitates the expulsion of gas. It is also quite useful against tape-worms. It is believed to be useful against skin diseases, bronchitis, urinary discharges, Dyspepsia, hemicrania, worms in wounds etc.

Taraxacum officinale is believed to have a medicinal value, in particular against liver problems. It is also known to be a Diuretic and quite beneficial in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. It is also used in herbal medicines as a mild laxative, for increasing appetite, and for improving digestion. The milky latex has been used as a mosquito repellent and as a folk remedy to treat warts.

Nyctanthes arbortritis is known for its important place in Hindu mythology and this plant has many common names like Indian Night Jasmine. The flower, seeds and leaves of the plant are diuretic, antibacterial, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, immunopotential, anti pyretic, antioxidant, anti fungal, anti-bilious, sedative and antifilarial. It is useful in the treatment of many diseases including liver disorder. Its extract has proven by researchers to have significant hepatoprotective activity, which is ability to prevent damage to the liver and also hepatoregenerative. The herb in combination with other herbs is quite beneficial in the treatment of hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcohol liver diseases and other liver disorders. Apart from liver disorder, the herb has been used in the treatment of affections of scalp, rheumatic joint pain, malaria, snakebite, bronchitis, sciatica, chronic fever, rheumatism, internal worm infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, piles and skin diseases. Some people have also used the herb in the treatment of cancer.

Terminalia arjuna is high in co-enzyme Q-10 and helps in the treatment of cirrhosis of liver and reduces blood pressure.The arjuna was introduced into Ayurveda as a treatment for heart disease by Vagbhata. It is traditionally prepared as a milk decoction. In the Ashtānga Hridayam, Vagbhata mentions arjuna in the treatment of wounds, hemorrhages and ulcers, applied topically as a powder.

The combination of these herbs is what makes Kamalahar very effective in the treatment of liver disorders including hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, ascites and jaundice.

Another success story of cured Liver Cirrhosis by Kamalahar!

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 19:12:00 +0530

Mr. Sandeep, a resident of New Delhi who was suffering from severe alcoholic liver cirrhosis and got cured within six months of starting the treatment of our Ayurvedic medicine, Kamalahar.

Usually, Doctors say that there is no allopathic cure for this disease but we say otherwise and so does Mrs. Mamta, wife of Mr. Sandeep who had lost all hopes to be cured by any sort of treatment other than an option of Liver transplant. They had diagnosed about his sickness only when his belly suddenly started to grow big unexpectedly because of the liver cirrhosis and he went through various treatments for three months which all went into vain. Doctors had given a month time until they kept her husband under observation because of his weakness for the transplant. This is when she somehow got to know about Kamalahar from a relative of hers and researched more about it online on our website and started giving the medicine to her husband once he was out from the ICU.

They started noticing betterment within one to two months of starting the Kamalahar treatment. Mrs. Mamta mentioned that the serum bilirubin was 18-22 at the worst stage which started dropping with two points and continued dropping till even four points within a gap of fifteen days as she went for his regular check-ups. Other symptoms improved as well, like the yellowish skin tone and the yellowish colour in the eyes started coming back to its normal state. The medicine dosage of two capsules a day was reduced to one per day along with the improvement of the patient.

Now after getting totally cured by Kamalahar, she says she recommends this product to as many friends and relatives as possible whenever she gets to hear of some similar liver problems and would like more and more people to know about this ayurvedic medicine for the benefits it carries along with it.

National Dry Day View - One Year of Liquor ban in Bihar - Good for Family and Liver

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 1 Oct 2017 15:21:00 +0530

The positive impact of the liquor ban in Bihar is being seen on the families of Poor People. Some people estimate that people of the state have saved over Rs 10,000 crore because of prohibition and also it has not wrecked the finances of the state as some people had believed.

Liquor supporters predicted revenue losses to the tune of Rs 5000 crore but it is good to find out that they have not proven true. Chief Minister had been the main force behind the implementation of prohibition in the state. Liquor ban was one of the major promises Mr Nitish Kumar had made when he decided to contest 2015 Bihar Assembly election along with Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal. After the election, prohibition was one of the major policy decision rolled out by the Bihar government.

Alcohol had been one of the key culprits that had wrecked many families in India and many poor family especially women and children are adversely affected by it due to alcoholism among men. Any money saved and better environment prevailing in the family will lead to better children’s education, health and clothes. The positive effects of prohibition can be seen in the markets as well. After the imposition of liquor ban, the demand of sewing machines has increased by 19%, handicraft and readymade clothes by 44%, milk by 11% and ‘rasgulla’ by 16%. Accordingly to some reports, not only this, there has been a 55% decrease in road mishaps, 24% in murders, 16% in loot and 37% in riots.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and National Dry day, we wish Nitishji best wishes and wish that many more states in India are able to emulate the success of Bihar in dealing with the scourge of alcohol.

The Kapil Sharma Show - the temporary blip caused by Alcohol and Overwork will be cured

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 09:36:00 +0530

Kapil Sharma has been a favorite show of many people including myself. The reruns has been a good staple for me especially on weekend when I am bored and there is nothing good to watch on TV and also the news seems so depressing with producing only negative news. That is the time I mostly look for a back to back run of The Kapil Sharma Show. During one of the vacation trip to Agra while stuck in hotel, I watched 6 back to back episodes.

Yesterday (9-9-2017) I saw the rerun of the episode with Manisha Koirala. It was so pleasing to see how he and Bacha Yadav made Manisha laugh so much. It was a weird feeling where seeing Manisha laugh made me so happy. The song "Ek Ladki to Dekha" was just awesome.

Similarly when a Women from Jharkhand came and shared how she and other patients in a hospital in Mumbai used to wait for the show and how the show made them happy brought tears to my eyes.

So it was sad to hear that he was going through health issues and the show will be taken off air for some time. There has been all kinds of stories in Media since the start of the year such as the famous twitter episode, public fight with team members, tussle with Government of Maharashtra about his bungalow, shows with Ajay Devgun and Shahrukh being cancelled. All these made me sad and gave me a sinking feeling.

Finally the news came that he has been suffering from overwork and had resorted to alcohol to provide temporary relief which has now become his bane. So when media says "Success has gone to Kapil Sharma's head. And that's affecting his flagship comedy show on Sony TV The Kapil Sharma Show badly." It is good to know that it is not correct.

It was relief to know that it was manageable problem and good to know that he is conscious of the problem that he is facing and is making an effort to detoxify himself by enrolling himself in an Ayurvedic Detoxification center. He was open to his relationship with other colleagues and was apologetic about what he had done. We pray and believe that he will come out strong from this challenge in his life.

We wish all the best to a man who has made so many Indians laugh and wish that he continue to do that for ages to come.

Hepatitis B made negative through Ayurvedic medicine Kamalahar

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 09:08:00 +0530

Pradeep is a resident of West Delhi. He runs a small water purification plant and caters to the residents in his neighborhood. He strongly believes that water is cause of many disease and is committed to provide good quality water to his neighbors while making a living out of it too. His health has gone through many ups and down over the years but he is determined to fight it out.

One of the problem that we was diagnosed with was Hepatitis B. His viral load was found to be 90 thousand. He was admitted to an hospital when it was first diagnosed. He was put on Adefovir medicine but it started creating side effects on him. He stopped the medicine. He searched on internet and found out about Kamalahar. He ordered it and started taking it. He also followed a strict diet control regime. After taking Kamalahar for more than 1 year, he found out that the virus was undetectable.

He is fit now and he has continued to work for over 15 hours daily. He has tested multiple times and all the times it has been found out to be fine.

Hepatitis A virus can cause fatal liver injury

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 12:27:00 +0530

It is an immediate, intrinsic response of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) infected cell that results in liver inflammation, a new study suggests.

Hepatitis researchers have long thought that immune cells sent by the body to attack virus-infected cells in the liver cause the acute liver injury associated with HAV and other hepatitis viruses.

The virus evokes a response in the infected cell that activates a pre-programmed cell death pathway.

In effect, the cell commits suicide, sacrificing itself along with the virus in an effort to save the host. This results in inflammation within the liver that we recognise as hepatitis.

Hepatitis A virus is a vaccine preventable form of infectious hepatitis. HAV is found worldwide and is transmitted through ingestion of food and water that is contaminated with the feces of an infected person.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include nausea, stomach pain, fever, sore throat, headache and diarrhea. People infected with HAV may not experience any symptoms, but shed the virus for two to four weeks.

During this period, an infected person can pass the virus to others. HAV does not cause chronic liver disease like hepatitis B and C viruses. But in rare cases, it can cause acute liver failure, which is often fatal.

For decades, researchers believed only primates - humans, chimpanzees and a few species of monkeys could be infected by HAV. However, researchers recently discovered the virus could jump species.

World Obesity Day: Obesity can lead to many serious problem including Liver Disorder

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 20:40:00 +0530

Obesity is a major health challenge worldwide. Apart from known health hazards such as heart disease, diabetes, liver problem, it can also may ruin your social life, experts say.

India is home to the third-highest number of obese and overweight people, according to recent reports.

Obesity is categorised on the basis of BMI, which is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height and is universally expressed in units of kg/m2, resulting from mass in kilograms and height in metres.

Obesity is often associated with laziness and a sedentary lifestyle. Men who are obese tend to have lower levels of testosterone. Obesity is directly linked to hormonal imbalance and lower testosterone levels.

Also, obesity increases the risk of developing a number of serious health conditions, including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, sleep apnea, gallstones, liver disorder, other heart disease and various types of cancer.

Obesity can lead to heart problems, breathing difficulties, joint problems and sudden cardiac death.

With a high risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, obesity may also take an emotional toll, as some may experience depression, feelings of social isolation, discrimination and an overall lower quality of life.

Another research which has come ahead of the World Obesity Day to be observed tomorrow warns that children around the world are putting on more pounds and kilos than ever before.

The World Obesity Federation said that up to 268 million children aged 5 - 17 may be overweight by 2025, with as many as 98 million falling into the obese category.

The potential consequences are grim by any measure with millions of the affected kids suffering from type 2 diabetes, hypertension and fat build up in their liver, it said.

Childhood obesity is just the saddening tip of an iceberg with WHO saying obesity has more than doubled since 1980.

Cancer Awareness Society hails Bihar Government's prohibition decision

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 12:42:00 +0530

People engaged in creating awareness about liver cancer hailed the Nitish Kumar government's decision on prohibition as "historic" which would have positive impact on the health of people.

A team of Cancer Awareness Society met the CM to support the October 2 notification enforcing prohibition in the state.

Two days after the Patna High Court quashed its order on prohibition, Bihar government on October 2 came out with a new law banning liquor with harsher provisions.

The Society team told Mr. Nitish Kumar that the World Health Assembly, the decision making body of WHO, had in 2010 taken a decision for controlling usage of alcohol of which India was one of the signatory, according to a statement of the Society.

Action was desired in this direction after being signatory to the decision. By fulfilling this, the Bihar government has initiated a historic step which deserves praise. The team told Kumar that they are with him in the campaign against alcohol.

The statement said about short term and long term medical effects of alcohol on consumer.

The short term effects included slurred speech, drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, anemia and blackouts.

The long term effects included unintentional injuries like alcohol poisoning, high blood pressure, stroke and heart related diseases, liver disease, sexual problem and cancer of liver, mouth and throat among others.

Jaundice and other Liver Disorder Outbreak in Dadar, Mumbai due to contaminated water

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 9 Oct 2016 11:38:00 +0530

Health authorities raced to contain the jaundice outbreak at a Dadar colony after local news papers reported how contaminated water had sickened over 60 residents, some of whom face the prospect of liver failure.

A team of civic officials and health workers inspected the water supply of 80-year-old Palan Sojpal society through door-to-door checks, and distributed chlorine tablets and packets of oral rehydration salts. They switched off the supply from two pipes over suspicion that a leakage had led to tainted water.

The residents had been complaining about water that “smells like rotten eggs” since June, but the BMC blamed it on the society’s own faulty pipeline network. The civic body re-examined the issue with greater urgency and seriousness on Monday following news paper reports.

BMC officials have asked all families in the society to boil water before consumption. It seems the contamination has resulted from an internal problem: the colony’s sewer lines are choked.

It is believed that the issue of tainted water was restricted to the society and there had been no complaints from other localities in Dadar.

Around 200 families live in Palan Sojpal and currently, 50 families have at least one member who is suffering from jaundice. Between June and September, almost every family made a trip to the hospital because of hepatitis E, the virus that causes the disease.

The BMC earlier conducted two inspections at the society after multiple complaints. The residents replaced the pipelines that officials had blamed for tainted water, and also cleaned the society’s tanks. The steps had no effect and cases of Hepatitis E shot up. Though the civic body on Monday cut supply to two suspect pipes, some families fear it’s another misdiagnosis as some houses are still getting water that smells bad and even has worms.

New method of predicting risk of developing severe liver disease could ensure patients receive early life-saving medical intervention

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sat, 8 Oct 2016 19:27:00 +0530

Using information collected in a liver biopsy study, researchers have developed a method of determining the onset of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) through the analysis of lipids, metabolites and clinical markers in blood. The new non-invasive method of predicting the risk of developing a severe liver disease could ensure that patients receive early and potentially life-saving medical intervention before irreversible damage is done. NASH is the most extreme form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a range of conditions caused by a build-up of fat in the liver. With NASH, inflammation of the liver damages the cells, potentially causing scarring and cirrhosis. Currently, the diagnosis of NASH can only be done with a liver biopsy, an invasive and costly procedure. The new research could lead to a simple blood test that could catch the onset of NASH before inflammation damages the liver. Many people with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis do not have symptoms and are not aware they are developing a serious liver problem. As such, diagnosis often comes after irreversible damage is done.

Quicker and less invasive method of diagnosis could mean that more people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease could be easily tested to determine whether they are progressing to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, the more severe form of the disease. A healthy liver should contain little or no fat. It’s estimated that around 20 percent of people in the UK have early stages of NAFLD where there are small amounts of fat in their liver. NASH is estimated to affect up to five percent of the UK population and is now considered to be one of the main causes of cirrhosis, a condition where irregular bumps replace the smooth liver tissue, making it harder and decreasing the amount of healthy cells to support normal functions. This can lead to complete liver failure. Common risk factors for both NAFLD and NASH are obesity, lack of physical exercise and insulin resistance. But if detected and managed at an early stage, it’s possible to stop both NAFLD and NASH from getting worse. The new method of NASH diagnosis will undergo further investigation with a view to developing a simple blood test that can be used by clinicians to provide effective medical care for patients at high risk of the disease.

Recurring problem in Delhi - Chikungunya, dengue, malaria - When will we learn our lesson

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 17:01:00 +0530

Each year during rainy season and weeks after it, Delhi turns into a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Umpteenth people get affected and hospitals get swarmed with chikungunya, dengue and malaria patients. The problem is that these mosquito-borne diseases are difficult to diagnose, given the similar symptoms they have with fever being a prominent part.

If these key differences are not detected and treated on time, the diseases could definitely prove hazardous.

Malaria

This disease is caused by the transmission of plasmodium — a parasitic protozoa — into the body’s system. There are two types of plasmodium species that are common in India — Vivax and Falciparum, which are transmitted into the human bodies through the spit of Anopheles mosquitoes. The Anopheles mosquitoes bite usually during the day.

The most common symptom of Malaria is high-grade fever. But, the fever does not stay at a stretch and is intermittent i.e. comes over a period of two-three days. The fever is accompanied with chills and rigor. In severe cases, the patient suffers from constipation, disorientation (in the case of cerebral malaria) and kidney dysfunction.

Dengue

This viral disease is transmitted to human bodies through the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes and from an infected human to another, in cases of blood transfusion. The dengue causing mosquitoes usually bite during the night.

The patient suffers from fever for the initial three-four days, followed by body pain. Retro-orbital pain ie. pain behind the eyes is also common. In acute cases, decreased urine output, respiratory difficulties and increased bleeding tendencies also accompany the usual symptoms.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is caused by the same female Aedes mosquitoes that cause dengue. This ailment mostly affects the muscle cells of the body.

The prominent symptoms of Chikungunya include excessive body pain or myalgia, swelling in the joints and rashes across the body. The body pain, in this case is more severe than that in dengue cases.

In chikungunya, joints pain is more pronounced, while in cases of dengue, patients might even feel retro-orbital pain, that is, pain behind the eyes. Other than this, the symptoms for both mosquito-borne diseases are the same.

Treatment

While for Malaria, anti-malarial drugs like chloroquine and artemisinin are available, dengue and chikungunya are viral diseases and do not have treatment drugs as such. The treatment for dengue and chikungunya is symptomatic and therefore, doctors wait for the symptoms to become evident in the body.

Chikungunya and dengue patients are given paracetamol for the fever to subside, but not in the first three days. Since both the diseases have similar symptoms, giving any kind of medicines, including painkillers in the first two-three days is fatal. It could lead to bleeding, in some cases. The patients are prone to dehydration and therefore, are advised to increase their intake of fluids.

Some of the prevention method that people can take are using the good old mosquito nets during night. One of the key things is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes because there are no medical ways or vaccines to avoid prevention of these diseases. Wear clothes that cover you fully and apply mosquito-repellent creams. As a community, to prevent such diseases, ensure that there is no water stagnation in the surroundings, because they become excellent breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Also, make sure that your living area and surroundings are hygienic and clean. Change the water in room coolers at least once a week.

Overuse of Medications can cause liver problems

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 16:49:00 +0530

Alcohol is not the only cause of liver damage. Overuse of Medications can cause liver problems too. In the extreme cases it can lead to liver failure.

Overuse of over-the-counter drugs and certain prescription drugs is known to cause liver damage. Some of these drugs include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, corticosteroids (used for treating inflammation) and pain relievers. It’s therefore important to review the side effects and adverse effects of medications before taking them.

Even many of the prescribed medicine in India can cause liver inflammation and liver problems. For e.g. Drugs containing sulfonamides prescribed by many doctor. But they are also known to cause idiosyncratic liver injury. Hepatotoxicity appears to be a class effect, in that virtually all sulfonamides used today have been linked to rare, but convincing cases of drug induced liver injury. Most typically, the injury appears within one to three weeks of starting therapy, often preceded or accompanied by signs of hypersensitivity such as fever, rash, facial edema, lymphadenopathy, arthralgias, and eosinophilia or atypical lymphocytosis (or both). Hepatotoxicity from sulfonamides may represent a part of a spectrum of hypersensitivity due to sulfa-derived medications and have been linked to many cases of DRESS (drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) as well as Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrosis. The severity of injury varies widely. Most instances of sulfonamide related liver injury are mild-to-moderate in severity and self-limited in course. Importantly, sulfonamides can cause acute liver failure, particularly in instances with a precipitious onset and hepatocellular pattern of serum enzyme elevations. Indeed, the sulfonamides remain one of the most common causes of drug induced acute liver failure.

In one of the instances, an old lady in New Delhi was given sulfonamide drug which caused sever itching in her body and led to liver inflammation. Her condition deteriorated with swelling on face and arms but luckily the doctors identified the cause of the problem and she was able to recover in due course.

80% of fatty liver disease patients in Korea don't drink alcohol

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 21:55:00 +0530

One in three Koreans suffers from fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease is a condition that occurs when large amounts of fat accumulate in liver cells. Despite having multiple causes, fatty liver disease is considered to be caused mostly by excessive alcohol intake.

However, latest research shows that 80% of patients with the disease in Korea do not drink alcohol. In fact the number of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has doubled in the last 6 years.
Experts now say that the biggest factor in causing the disease is carbohydrates.

Compared to people who eat less carbohydrates, men and women who intake a lot of carbohydrates are 1.7 times and 3.8 times more likely to suffer from fatty livers, respectively.

The fatty liver disease is prevalent among Koreans because Korean people tend to eat a lot of carbohydrates. It's important to reduce the intake of other kinds of carbohydrates such as food made of flour and noodles.

Obesity is another factor that can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
This explains why fatty liver disease is being observed among many parents in their 40s and 50s and among overweight children as well.
If left unattended, fatty liver disease can develop into fatal diseases such as cirrhosis and even liver cancer.
To prevent this, doctors advise citizens to exercise for at least 10 minutes a day, watch their eating habits and visit the doctor for regular check-ups.

Dengue virus and its treatment can affect liver

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 10:07:00 +0530

In a dengue patient, the virus and the painkillers are a double whammy that can leave the liver scarred. During an attack, a patient pops painkillers and paracetamols. When they act, the body exacts a cost for suppressing the pain by affecting the liver since this organ treats all painkillers as poison, even paracetamol. So a patient is caught between taking and not taking medicines and a damaged liver takes months to recover.

A large percentage of dengue patients end up with such liver dysfunction. Experts who have observed the patients said levels of certain enzymes and proteins in patients' blood go up or drop in reference to the normal count indicating liver problems.

Abdominal pain, vomiting and loss of appetite are the earliest symptoms. Yellowish discolouration of the eyes or urine and abdominal tenderness are warning signs of liver damage.

Counselling high-risk patients with underlying medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension, stopping medications like paracetamol, known to deteriorate liver function, is still the first line of care. Patients also need supportive care, proper hydration and consistent monitoring of liver function indicators through blood tests.

Dengue virus attacks the cells that cause inflammation in the liver. The Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Amino Alanine Transferase (AST) enzymes increase in number in the blood during the time and may cause complications including damage to liver.

Liver damage in dengue infection is not preventable, but doctors can reduce paracetamol and other medicines which can cause liver toxicity. Liver involvement is more commonly seen in those who have dengue haemorrhagic fever, a severe form of dengue. Early detection can help save lives.

The most commonly used indicators of liver damage are alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), referred to as the SGPT and SGOT.

Levels of these enzymes usually begin to increase from an early stage (day 1-3 of illness) and peak during the second week of illness. Proper medical care can help avert liver damage.

India can learn a lesson or two from Egypt on how to deal with hepatitis

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 18:27:00 +0530

In 2006, when Egypt formed a national committee to control the spread of Hepatitis, the country was known to have the highest burden of the disease globally. India, at the time, had still not acknowledged its growing Hepatitis numbers, while focusing on HIV and Tuberculosis.

Over the past decade, Egypt has come a long way, reducing Hepatitis prevalence from 4.5 per cent then to 1 per cent now, and, in the process, has provided a roadmap for the World Health Organisation (WHO) and countries like India, which is grappling with an estimated 6 million Hepatitis C (HCV) and 40 million Hepatitis B (HBV) cases.

The syringe culture is similar in Egypt and India. People take less oral medication and prefer injections. Syringe safety is necessary to prevent new cases. Egypt raised awareness on the use of sterile razors in barber shops, use of new instruments for pedicure and manicure and on the use of disposable syringes for patients. It’s all about advocacy. There should be multiple stakeholders like the government, politicians, the media and individuals from different sectors who wish to bring this health problem into the limelight.

The Egyptian government also urged Hepatitis drug manufacturing companies to lower costs. Direct cost of hepatitis treatment there was estimated at $ 670 million and the country was able to treat its patients at 1/10 the global price of the drugs.

The Hepatitis pool grew in Egypt in the 1950s and 1960s due to the reuse of glass syringes after boiling. It is believed that similar unsafe syringe practices have led to the increased cases in India.

Egypt has now introduced a birth-dose policy to prevent new infections. The prevalence of HCV in Egyptian children has dropped to 0.8 percent from the 1.5 percent a decade ago.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has begun a vaccination drive for newborns against HBV under Mission Indradhanush, that is aimed to prevent seven diseases in infants. Since 2014, over 40 lakh children have been covered under the scheme. But there still stands no active diagnosis or free treatment programme for Hepatitis adult patients unlike AIDS or Tuberculosis.

The Health ministry has also roped in Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan to become the face of the campaign. Although delayed, the government is slowly moving towards disposable syringes with Maharashtra becoming one of first states to embrace one-time usable syringes.

Hopefully, in due course we can learn and implement many of the policies that have been successful in Egypt

Fatty liver may increase the risk of heart disease

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Fri, 27 May 2016 09:23:00 +0530

Patients suffering from fatty liver disease is prone to an increased risk of heart disease as well as the mortality rates associated with it, a new study has found.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly common condition in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes and arterial hypertension -- where high blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.

The findings showed that NAFLD is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis -- the build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls -- which may lead to the advent of cardiovascular disease (CVD) -- heart diseases -- related deaths.

Evidence indicates that the fatty and inflamed liver expresses several pro-inflammatory and procoagulant factors, as well as genes involved in accelerated atherogenesis. This raises the possibility that the link between NAFLD and cardiovascular mortality might not simply be mediated by shared, underlying, common risk factors, but rather that NAFLD independently contributes to increasing this risk.

In patients with metabolic syndrome health problems like diabetes and stroke at risk for heart disease events, NAFLD contributes to early atherosclerosis and its progression, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

This indicates that NAFLD is a precursor of metabolic syndrome. It follows that the diagnosis of fatty liver is extremely important and therefore a thorough cardiovascular and metabolic work-up and strict monitoring of CVD or metabolic complications are needed in the clinical management of NAFLD.

Using the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) a well-validated biomarker, researchers observed that fatty liver is associated with thickness in the major blood vessels in the neck -- a pre-atherosclerotic problem that predicts heart disease events.

Thickness in the blood vessels increases proportionally with FLI, and this association is independent of traditional cardiometabolic risk factors -- like diabetes, heart disease or stroke.

Futher, patients with fatty liver were more likely to develop in the plaques resulting in thickness in the blood vessels over time. Fatty liver disease at baseline predicted the occurrence of carotid plaques independent of age, sex, type 2 diabetes, tobacco use, and other heart disease risk factors. Strict monitoring of cardiovascular disease is recommended when managing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the researchers suggested.

Some Basic Understanding of Hepatitis B Blood Tests

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 22 May 2016 13:49:00 +0530

Understanding your hepatitis B blood test results can be confusing. It is important to discuss your test results with your health care provider so that you can clearly understand whether you have a new infection, chronic infection, or have recovered from an infection.

The information below is just to provide some basic understanding. Before explaining the tests, there are two basic medical terms that you should be familiar with:

Antigen: A foreign substance in the body, such as the hepatitis B virus.

Antibody: A protein that your immune system makes in response to a foreign substance. Antibodies can be produced in response to a vaccine or to a natural infection. Antibodies usually protect you against future infections.

The test that is used to help you understand your hepatitis B status is called the hepatitis B blood panel. This is a simple 3-part blood test that your doctor can order. Your results can be returned within 7-10 days.

The 3-part hepatitis B blood panel includes the following:

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg): The “surface antigen” is part of the hepatitis B virus that is found in the blood of someone who is infected. If this test is positive, then the hepatitis B virus is present.
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb or anti-HBs): The “surface antibody“ is formed in response to the hepatitis B virus. Your body can make this antibody if you have been vaccinated, or if you have recovered from a hepatitis B infection. If this test is positive, then your immune system has successfully developed a protective anti-body against the hepatitis B virus. This will provide long-term protection against future hepatitis B infection. Someone who is surface antibody positive is not infected, and cannot pass the virus on to others.
Hepatitis B Core Antibody (HBcAb or anti-HBc): This antibody does not provide any protection or immunity against the hepatitis B virus. A positive test indicates that a person may have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus. This test is often used by blood banks to screen blood donations. However, all three test results are needed to make a diagnosis.

Use the following chart with help from your doctor to interpret your blood panel results:

What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is the world’s most common serious liver infection. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that attacks liver cells and can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis (scarring) or cancer of the liver later in life. Approximately 90% of healthy adults who are exposed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) recover on their own and develop the protective surface antibody. However, 10% of infected adults, 50% of infected children and 90% of infected babies are unable to get rid of the virus and develop chronic infection. These people need further evaluation by a liver specialist or doctor knowledgeable about hepatitis B.

Who should be tested? HBV is transmitted through contact with blood or infected bodily fluids,
through unprotected sex, unsterile needles, and from an infected mother to her newborn during the
delivery process. HBV is not transmitted casually, through the air, or from casual social contact
(hugging, coughing, sneezing).
The following groups are especially at high-risk for infection and should be tested:

Health care workers and emergency personnel
Partners or individuals living in close household contact with someone who is infected
Individuals who have had multiple sex partners or who have been diagnosed with an STD
Injection drug users
Men who have sex with men
Individuals who received a blood transfusion prior to 1992
Individuals who have tattoos or body piercings
Individuals who travel to countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)
Individuals emigrating from countries where hepatitis B is common, or who are born to parents who emigrated from these countries (see above)
ALL pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B infection

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis B? There is a safe and effective vaccine for hepatitis B. It is recommended in the U.S. and other countries for all infants and children up to age 18 and adults at high risk for infection.

Additional Diagnostic Tests:
Liver Function Tests (LFTs): These are a group of blood tests that help your doctor find out how well your liver is working. The most important test is the following:
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): This is an enzyme that is released from liver cells into the bloodstream when the liver is injured. An ALT level above normal may indicate liver damage. ALT levels are included in the regular monitoring of all chronic hepatitis B patients; this test can also be useful in deciding whether a patient would benefit from therapy, or for evaluating how well a current treatment is working.
Liver Biopsy: This involves the removal of a small piece of tissue from the liver using a special needle. The tissue is examined under a microscope to look for inflammation or liver damage.
Hepatitis B DNA test: This is a highly sophisticated blood test that checks for the presence of hepatitis B virus DNA in the bloodstream. The DNA test indicates how much virus is present in the blood.
e-antigen: This is a protein that is made by the virus. If this test is positive, it indicates that there is a lot of virus in the blood, which means that you can more easily spread the virus to others.
e-antibody: Often as the virus stops replicating in the body, and the e-antigen disappears from the blood, the e-antibody appears. This can happen spontaneously or after treatment.

India, WHO sign pact for global promotion of traditional medicine including Ayurvedic Medicine

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 15 May 2016 15:04:00 +0530

The ministry of AYUSH and the World Health Organisation (WHO) signed Project Collaboration Agreement for promoting quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional medicine including Ayurvedic Medicine.

The agreement is aimed at delivering for the first time WHO benchmark document for training in Yoga, and WHO benchmarks for practice in Ayurveda, Unani and Panchakarma. The agreement was signed by secretary, ministry of AYUSH and assistant director general, health systems and innovations, WHO in Geneva at WHO headquarters on Friday.

The agreement is titled as ‘Co-operation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine between WHO and AYUSH, India, 2016-2020’. It aims to support WHO in its global programme called ‘The WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023’, which was developed and launched in response to the World Health Assembly resolution on traditional medicine. The strategy aims to support WHO’s member states in developing proactive policies and action plans.

The documents produced through the collaboration will contribute in establishing regulatory frameworks for traditional medicine products. They will also help in their integration in India’s healthcare system.

Over 2 million co-infected with HIV, hepatitis C

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 11:04:00 +0530

Of these, more than half, or 1.3 million, are people who inject drugs (PWID) -- HIV infections caused by injecting drugs.

The study revealed that HIV-infected people are on an average six times more likely than HIV-uninfected people to have HCV infection.

The study shows that not only are people with HIV at much higher risk of HCV infection, groups such as people who inject drugs have extremely high prevalence of HCV infection - over 80 percent.

HIV and HCV infections are major global public health problems, with overlapping modes of transmission and affected populations.

Globally, there are 37 million people infected with HIV and around 115 million people with chronic HCV infection.

Improvement in the surveillance of HCV and HIV is imperative to help define the epidemiology of coinfection and inform appropriate policies for testing, prevention, care and treatment to those in need.

The study shows the need to scale up prevention interventions, such as needle and syringe programmes and opioid substitution therapy, as well as access to HIV and HCV treatment, to reduce morbidity and new infections, the researchers suggested.

The study, published online in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, systematically reviewed 783 medical studies from worldwide sources to build the first global estimates on the prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection (measured by HCV antibody) as a public health problem.

Breath test analyzer could help detect liver disease at early stage

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:15:00 +0530

In the journal EBioMedicine, a study led by the University of Birmingham in the UK suggests that high levels of a natural compound called limonene in the breath could be a sign of early-stage cirrhosis of the liver.

Researchers say that we already know that the breath of people with liver disease has a very distinct smell, and they wanted to find out what causes it. Now they have found a biomarker for the disease in limonene, they can continue to verify how good it is for diagnosing liver disease.

Limonene is a natural compound found in fruits and vegetables and in abundance in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. It is also found in cosmetics, perfume and cleaning products and is used to flavor candies.

Because symptoms tend to be vague and often mild during the early stages, patients with liver disease do not usually seek medical advice until the condition is advanced and the liver is more damaged. Even then, symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. They can include fatigue, jaundice, bleeding, swelling, bruising easily, confusion and nausea.

Cirrhosis is where continuous, long-term damage causes the liver to become so scarred it cannot function properly. The disease can lead to liver failure and cancer.

In the UK, where the new study took place, liver disease has risen sharply in recent decades to become the third biggest cause of early death, with 75% of deaths being alcohol related.

Breath levels of limonene higher in patients with liver cirrhosis

Researchers carried out their study in two phases. First, they compared breath samples from 31 patients with liver cirrhosis with those from 30 healthy controls.

In the second phase, they compared breath samples taken before and after liver transplants. The before samples came from the same 31 patients as in the first phase, and the after samples came from 11 of those patients who went on to have liver transplants.

The breath samples were analyzed with a mass spectrometer. For phase 1, this showed that the level of limonene in the patients with liver cirrhosis were much higher than in the healthy controls.

The researchers say this is probably because a diseased liver cannot fully metabolize limonene.

The phase 2 analysis showed that the levels of limonene gradually dropped in the transplant patients in the days following receipt of their new organ.

Limonene is 'unambiguously associated with diseased liver'

There have been previous attempts to find possible biomarkers for liver disease but these have suggested compounds like isoprene and acetone, which are not specific enough since they can also be indicative of other diseases or even arise naturally from normal metabolic activity.

Researchers wanted to find a biomarker that is unambiguously associated with diseased liver. If the further research is successful, in the future we can envisage a small portable breath analyser that can be used by GPs and other health professionals to screen for early-stage liver disease, leading to earlier treatment and better survival rates.

A particularly important advantage of breath tests is that they offer the opportunity to assess the global function of the liver, rather than a localized test such as biopsy.

The study is important, because for the first time it opens a potential route to noninvasive, real-time detection of early-stage liver disease. The researchers conclude that If that is possible, then the disease could be reversed by drugs and lifestyle change which would lead to major socioeconomic impacts.

Khatore Pharmaceuticals and other organisations work to spread awareness about hepatitis

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Thu, 6 Aug 2015 20:03:00 +0530

With over 3/4 of people in India being unaware about the existence of Hepatitis, many medical exerts of the country have decided to start an online data registry detailing the rising number of hepatitis patients. Khatore Pharmaceuticals also ran a campaign in Delhi to make people aware of liver disorders including distributing pamphlets to people near metro stations.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The aim is to make people aware of problem and precaution that they can take to prevent it from spreading.

The registry will be part of the newly formed Indian National Association for Study of Liver and Current Perspective in Liver Disease constituted by the leading gastroenterologists of the country. The association will also disseminate information to the regional hospitals and help the health centres located in remote areas of the country get the medicine supply.

Talking about lack of awareness about the deadly disease, the experts said that Hepatitis was 28 times more dangerous than AIDS due to the absence of symptoms, even as the disease spreads gradually in the patient.

Four lakh people die due to liver diseases, a result of hepatitis, in India every year. The states most affected by the disease are Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh among few others, they said.

75% of the hepatitis, may it be B or C, is curable at the initial stage. However, as the symptoms are not felt, the person gets to know about it only when the virus causes liver cancer.

Through the registry, the hot spots of Hepatitis across the country can be brought into lime light and accordingly medical healthcare in those areas can be improved, precisely the treatment for liver diseases.

Resistance training can help patients suffering from fatty liver disease

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Sun, 2 Aug 2015 15:14:00 +0530

Resistance training also called strength training or weight training in the gym leads to a fall in liver fat levels. This is the finding of a new study held at the University in Tel Aviv. According to experts, for patients suffering from physical limitations or low motivation that prevents them performing aerobic exercises, resistance training can be an effective alternative.

On the basis of past studies, fatty liver disease is defined as a fat rate in excess of 5-10 percent of liver volume. The disease affects approximately 30 percent of the public and is considered the commonest liver disease in the Western world. Excessive weight, abdominal obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and in particular triglycerides increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease, which can lead to inflammation and cirrhosis of the liver.

The disease is usually asymptomatic, although patients sometimes report fatigue and a lack of vitality by comparison to healthy individuals. Fatty liver causes morbidity and mortality due to metabolic complications such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Although patients with the disease recognize the importance of physical activity, they often lack the motivation to engage in such activity, particularly in the case of aerobic exercises, which are usually time consuming.

The researchers decided to examine the impact of resistance training - which is usually briefer and more focused than aerobic exercises - on fatty liver disease. The study included 82 subjects aged 20-65 who were diagnosed by means of an ultrasound as suffering from fatty liver disease over the six months before the beginning of the study. The participants were divided randomly into a resistance training group and a control group that was asked only to undertake stretching exercises. The participants were asked not to change their physical activity habits during the study, to continue their usual diet, and to take their prescribed medicines. During the study the participants underwent examinations of weight, blood pressure, a blood test for liver enzymes, lipids, blood sugar, and insulin. Resistance training in the gym was defined according to a uniform protocol, with the level of resistance adjusted to the patient's capabilities. The training, that was designed and delivered, included several sets of different resistance exercises involving the arms, chest, and legs and lasting for a total of 40 minutes, three times a week.
At the end of the three-month study, the researchers found that resistance training in the gym led to a decrease in liver fat based on the fat content of the liver as detected in the special ultrasound examination employed by the study. The resistance training was not intended to reduce body weight significantly, and indeed overall weight loss was very slight. However, it seems that the resistance training had a specific impact in terms of a fall in liver fat levels as measured in the ultrasound examination.

The study also found that gym training led to a significant fall in blood cholesterol levels. We assume that the physical exercise improves the resistance to insulin, thereby reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver and its level in the blood. This study also shows for the first time that resistance training led to a reduction in ferritin levels in the blood. Ferritin is a protein found in the liver that facilitates the storage of iron. However, elevated levels of ferritin can be indicative of liver damage, including inflammation. Accordingly, a fall in ferritin levels may reflect an improvement in the condition of the liver.

World Hepatitis Day: Mass awareness, immunisation needed to help curb spread of hepatitis

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 20:10:00 +0530

Mass awareness, universal guideline for immunization and hygienic handling of food and water will help curb hepatitis, said experts on Tuesday while observing world Hepatitis Day. About, two million people contract hepatitis every year from unsafe injections. These infections can be averted through the use of sterile syringes that are specifically designed to prevent reuse. Eliminating unnecessary injections is also an effective strategy.

Experts stressed on the urgent need to enhance action to prevent viral hepatitis infection and to ensure that people who have been infected are diagnosed and offered treatment. The WHO this year, is focusing particularly on hepatitis B and C, which together cause approximately 80% of all liver cancer deaths and kill close to 1.4 million people every year. In addition to hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A and E viruses also cause viral hepatitis. These two viruses are primarily transmitted through contact with contaminated food and water and are responsible for less than 1% of all hepatitis-related deaths.

While explaining about poor target achieved in case of administration of Hepatitis-B0, the experts say "About 30-33% deliveries take place at sub-centres which do not have round-the-clock vaccination facility. Moreover, deliveries at private hospitals most of the time go unrecorded; hence the first dose of vaccination to the newborn within 24 hours remains unattended."

Viral hepatitis is caused by five distinct hepatitis viruses. Infection from these viruses results in approximately 1.45 million deaths each year. These viruses are transmitted through contaminated water and food, as well as by contact with blood or bodily fluids, through unsafe injections or transfusions. Infection also occurs from mother to child, or through sexual contact. Infection through all these routes of transmission can be prevented through proven and effective interventions. It is important for everyone to be aware of hepatitis and to learn how they can protect themselves from being infected.

Focusing on this year's theme - 'Prevent hepatitis. Act now', the workshop discussed various preventive measures.

Medicines are now available that can cure or help control in most people with hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection. People who receive these medicines are less likely to die from liver cancer and cirrhosis and also less likely to transmit the virus to others.

Patients should demand safe injection. Approximately, two million people per year contract hepatitis from unsafe injections. These infections can be averted through the use of sterile syringes that are specifically designed to prevent reuse. Eliminating unnecessary injections is also an effective strategy to protect against hepatitis transmission.

The WHO recommends vaccinating all children against hepatitis B infection, from which approximately 7.8 lakh people die each year.

As per Government of India, the vaccination schedule under the Universal Immunisation Programme for Hepatitis B vaccine is of 4 doses; 0 dose within 24 hours of birth and three doses at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age.

World Hepatitis Day 2015: Prevent hepatitis. Act now

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 10:21:00 +0530

On World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is highlighting the urgent need for countries to enhance action to prevent viral hepatitis infection and to ensure that people who have been infected are diagnosed and offered treatment.

This year, the Organization is focusing particularly on hepatitis B and C, which together causes approximately 80% of all liver cancer deaths and kills close to 1.4 million people every year.

The theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day is “Prevent hepatitis. Act now”.

In India, it is estimated that prevalence of hepatitis C infection is more than 6 times the prevalence of HIV infection. The World Health Organisation has called the HCV a “viral time bomb”, which signifies that the policy makers must pay the required attention towards this health issue.

WHO is alerting people to the risk of contracting hepatitis from infected blood, infected injections, and sharing drug-injection equipment.

Risk factors, symptoms and causes

Hepatitis A: This form of hepatitis is commonly found in children and is usually spread by fecal-oral contact or fecal-infected food and water.

A baby could get hepatitis A by consuming food/water contaminated with HAV-infected stool.

Parents might not even know that their children have caught the disease as hepatitis A can be a mild infection. However, in serious cases of infection, symptoms include fever, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, dark-colored urine, and jaundice.

Hepatitis A usually causes mild illness, but it can also cause prolonged illness for upto six months

Hepatitis B: The hepatitis B virus is spread by contact with blood and other body fluids of an infected person. Infants may contract hepatitis B if they are born to a mother who has the virus.

In adults, it can be transmitted through unprotected sex with an HBV-infected person and sharing of contaminated needles or syringes for injecting drugs.

Symptoms may range from a mild illness to more serious chronic liver disease that can result in liver failure. Common symptoms may include fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice, etc.

Hepatitis C: It is more common in adults than in children. Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with human blood and other body fluids. A baby can also get hepatitis C from his/her infected mother.

In adults, it can also be acquired through sexual contact with an infected person or through intravenous drug use.

Symptoms are usually mild and children often show no symptoms at all and therefore, parents get to know about their kid's disease at a later stage.

Hepatitis C leads to chronic liver disease in a majority of people infected with the virus. HCV is also considered to be the leading cause for liver transplantation in adults. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is also linked with cancer.

Tests and diagnosis

All of the above conditions can be diagnosed through blood tests. A healthcare provider may also ask for liver function tests in order to determine the extent of the damage. A liver biopsy may be asked to do to further check for organ damage. Other tests and diagnostic procedures to determine the extent of the disease include CT scans and MRI.

Prevention

Like any other diseases, practising a good hygiene can help prevent the risk of getting as well as spreading hepatitis. Other preventive measures include:

Vaccinations - vaccinations are available for HAV and HBV, unfortunately, there's no vaccine for HCV.

WHO recommends vaccinating all children against hepatitis B infection. The vaccine should be given as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours. The birth dose should be followed by 2 or 3 doses to complete the vaccine series. A safe and effective vaccine can protect from hepatitis B infection for life.

WHO also recommends vaccinating adults who are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis B.

Blood transfusion – to reduce the risk of infection, blood transfusion is routinely screened for hepatitis B and C.

Tobacco smoking and chewing raises the risk of Leukoplakia and Oral cancer

rahuldev3107@gmail.com (Khatore Pharmaceuticals) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 08:43:00 +0530

With leukoplakia, thickened, white patches form on our gums, the insides of our cheeks, the bottom of our mouth and, sometimes, our tongue. These patches can't be scraped off.

Tobacco — whether smoked, dipped or chewed — is considered to be the main culprit in its development. Tobacco use puts you at high risk of leukoplakia and oral cancer. Drinking alcohol combined with smoking further increases your risk.

Leukoplakia usually isn't dangerous, but it can sometimes be serious. Although most leukoplakia patches are noncancerous (benign), some show early signs of cancer. Many cancers on the floor of the mouth — beneath the tongue — occur next to areas of leukoplakia. For that reason, it's best to see a good doctor if you have unusual, persistent changes in your mouth. Oral cancer is a potentially serious complication of leukoplakia. Oral cancers often form near leukoplakia patches, and the patches themselves may show cancerous changes. Even after leukoplakia patches are removed, the risk of oral cancer remains.

When to see a doctor

Sometimes mouth sores can be annoying or painful without being harmful. But in other cases, mouth problems can indicate a more serious condition.

See a good doctor if you have any of the following:

White plaques or sores in your mouth that don't heal on their own within two weeks
Lumps or white, red or dark patches in your mouth
Persistent changes in the tissues of your mouth