Ayurvedic Management of Acute Viral Hepatitis A: A case report

Abstract

Background: Viral hepatitis is a liver inflammation caused by a virus, with the most common types being A, B, C, D, and E. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). It is a systemic infection affecting the liver, causing impaired metabolism. Acute Hepatitis A is transmitted almost exclusively by the fecal-oral route. Large outbreaks as well as sporadic cases have been traced to contaminated food, water and milk. Clinical Findings: A 26-year female patient presented with the complaints of yellowish discoloration of urine, stool, eyes, and oral mucosa, along with vomiting, fever for 2 days, which is gradually started with anorexia for 8 days. Interventions: Vasaguluchyadi Kashaya, Patola Katu Rohinyadi Kashaya, Tab. Nirocil, Syp. Amlycure DS, Syp. Kalamegha DS, Avipattikara Churna and Anuloma DS were administered orally. Diet and lifestyle restrictions are advised. Outcome: After 30 days of treatment, marked changes in the subjective and objective parameters were found. Anorexia, abdominal pain, vomiting, giddiness, yellowish eye-oral cavity- urine, and Mala, headache, constipation, fever, weakness were present with moderate to severe intensity.  Following treatment, all these symptoms were completely resolved. Biochemical parameters: Total bilirubin 3.1­ → 1.2, SGOT 381.5­ → 34 , SGPT 941.7 ­ → 32, Alkaline phosphatase 190­→ 90. Conclusion: Rational use of oral medications with a restricted diet in acute viral hepatitis A shown excellent results within a span of 30 days. This case highlights that the Ayurvedic line of treatment -Pitta Rechana (Cholagogue), Pitta Shamana (Pitta pacification), and Yakritshodhana (liver detox) helps in the effective management of acute viral hepatitis A.