The hepatitis C virus silently attacks the liver. Most people who are infected with hepatitis C are not even aware they have the virus because it produces no symptoms. The liver damage usually shows up in a routine medical test decades after hepatitis C has begun. The virus causes inflammation of the liver, interfering with its functioning and eventually leading to liver failure, cirrhosis or cancer of the liver. Hepatitis C is transmitted through contaminated blood. The disease can be treated with drugs, but alternative treatments for hepatitis C are also available.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method for treating pain and disease through the strategic placement of tiny needles on the patient's body. The premise of acupuncture is that correcting the balance of energy in the body will restore it to a disease-free state. Acupuncture has had some success with pain and disease control in some patients, but it remains to be seen if it can cure advanced hepatitis C.
Chiropractic Treatment
Some hepatitis C patients seek treatment from chiropractors. A chiropractor treats musculosketal and nervous system disorders but operates under the assumption that all body functions and systems are connected, and the healing process of any disease involves the entire body. Chiropractors will not prescribe drugs or perform surgery. They will attempt to cure the hepatitis C by manipulating joints. Results are not available for the effect of chiropractic treatment specifically for hepatitis C.
Herbal Remedies
Of all the alternative methods available to treat hepatitis C, herbal remedies might offer the most promise.
Milk thistle is often the first herb mentioned in treating hepatitis C. It contains solitarian, which is thought to contain medicinal properties. Studies directly related to milk thistle's effect on hepatitis C are currently being conducted at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, but results have not yet been published . So far, scientists have not found clear evidence that treating hepatitis C with milk thistle is beneficial. The herb is sold in tablets and capsules.
Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which has shown the potential to reduce the long-term effects and complications of hepatitis C. According to the United Stated Department of Veterans Affairs, there is already some evidence to suggest that using glycyrrhizin long-term might help to prevent patients with hepatitis C from getting liver cancer. Several clinical studies determined that taking the glycyrrhizin lowered levels of liver enzymes but did not lower the quantity of hepatitis C in the blood. Hepatitis C sufferers should talk to their doctors before taking licorice root because it interacts with some medications. And taking the herb for a long time can cause side effects, such as headaches, sluggishness and high blood pressure. Licorice root is available in liquid extracts and capsules.
Tags: pain disease, treating hepatitis, with hepatitis