Hepatitis is characterised by the inflammation of the liver and it can be caused by many drugs (alcohol, chemicals) and toxic agents as well as by numerous viruses, whose clinical manifestations may be quite similar. Several types of hepatitis are recognised, as mentioned below:
Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis)
It is caused by hepatitis A virus, that may cause epidemics or sporadic cases of hepatitis. Transmission of the virus is usually by the faecal-oral route, and spread is enhanced by crowding and poor sanitation. Common source outbreaks may result from contaminated water or food. It is generally a mild disease of children and young adults, characterised by anorexia, malaise, nausea, diarrhoea, fever and chills. Eventually jaundice appears. It does not cause lasting liver damage. If managed properly, it is perfectly curable.
Hepatitis B (Serum hepatitis)
It is caused by hepatitis B virus, which is usually transmitted by inoculation of infected blood and blood products and is present in saliva, semen and vaginal secretions. Infected mothers may transmit hepatitis B virus to their neonates (newborns) at the time of delivery;.the risk of chronic infection in the infant is as high as 90%. The disease may also be spread by sexual contacts. Hepatitis B virus is highly prevalent in homosexuals and intravenous drug abusers.
This virus can be present for years or even a life time and can produce cirrhosis and possibly cancer of the liver. Persons who harbour the active hepatitis B virus are at the risk of cirrhosis and also become carriers.
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D virus is a defective RNA virus that causes hepatitis only in association with hepatitis B infection and specifically only in the presence of hepatitis surface antigen HBs Agn, and it is cleared when the latter is cleared. In terms of clinical characteristics it can infect along with hepatitis B virus and aggravate the previously existing chronic hepatitis B, or may cause acute hepatitis.
Hepatitis C
It is caused by hepatitis C virus which is a single-stranded RNA virus. It is responsible for over 90% cases of post-transfusion hepatitis and many cases of sporadic hepatitis. The risk of sexual and maternal-neonatal transmission is small and may be limited to a subset of patients with high circulating levels of hepatitis C virus RNA. In many patients the source of infection is uncertain. The incubation period averages 6-7 weeks, and clinical illness is often mild, usually asymptomatic, and characterised by waxing and waning aminotransferase elevations.
Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis (NANB)
It is a form of hepatitis that can be traced to either hepatitis A or B viruses. It is rather more similar to hepatitis B and the mode of its transfusion is often found to be blood transfusion. It causes, most of the times, liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Preksha — Yoga management
Phase – I
1. Complete rest and practice of Yoga nidra, along with Kayotsarga and Deergha shwas preksha regularly
2. To strictly avoid all such foods that inhibit liverregeneration
3. To consume plenty amount of fruit juices and papaya; and to avoid non-vegetarian food items, eggs, spices, oil, butter and ghee.
This course should be carried out for at least 8 weeks and thereafter switch on to Phase-II of therapy.
Phase – II
Shat kriyas – Kunjal kriya and Vastra dhauti
Yogic kriyas – Of chest and abdomen
Asanas – Surya Namaskar, Paschimottanasana, Trikonasana, Shashankasana and Matsyasana
Pranayama – Bhastrika, Suryabhedi, and Nadi shodhan
Mudra and bandh – Yoga mudra and Uddiyan bandh
Kayotsarga – 30 minutes daily
Preksha – Meditate and visualize yellow colour on liver
Anupreksha – Contemplation of the regeneration of liver
Dietary recommendations –
• To consume light food
• Oil, ghee spices and non-vegetarian food should be avoided
• Alcohol Consumption is strictly prohibited
• Fresh seasonal fruits, vegetable soups and boiled vegetables should be preferred in meals.