125B Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941
www.Acupuncture-Marin.com Chris@Acupuncture-Marin.com
What is the Chinese medicine (CM) approach to Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment and how does it differ from the Western medicine (WM) approach? Western medicine analyzes and treats liver inflammation based on the cause of the inflammation. This allows for research and development of targeted therapies. CM analyzes and treats liver inflammation and resulting complications based on the symptoms they produce. Historically, CM has not identified viruses as the causes of disease. As a result, treatment goals for disharmonies associated with liver infections have not been to combat a virus, as WM tries to do. Instead, in CM the goal is to alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage of the various organ systems that are out of harmony. |
||
What kind of Chinese herbs are used and what are their functions? Clear heat, clean toxin herbs are used for therapy. In addition, bone marrow protecting herbs are used to strengthen the blood. Chinese herbs which are used have the function of anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, anti-viral, and immune-enhancement. |
||
How long does a person stay on CM treatment? What about relapse after interferon (ITF) therapy? Since the life span of an individual liver cell is about 18 months, treatment should last that long in order to replace all of the inflammation-damaged liver cells. Itís important to note that up to 20% of those who start out on ITF drop out because of unpleasant and sometimes serious side effects, and 10 to 40% have to reduce their dosage. Unfortunately, once ITF treatment is stopped, the virus frequently reemerges, often with added force. In one study, half of the chronic Hep C sufferers who had responded to alpha interferon had a relapse within 6 months after treatment stopped. According to the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ), a sustained positive response to ITF therapy is defined by normal ALT levels and zero viral load when measured 6 months after treatment is stopped. |
||
Why should you consult a qualified CM practitioner? It is because certain Chinese herbs when used in certain situations can cause serious negative side effects. Take for example the herb Buplerum. Buplerum is useful in treating HCV symptoms like rib cage pain and vomiting. But when Buplerum is used together with interferon and ribavirin, it has shown to cause the side effect of lung fibrosis. It should be noted that interferon also can produce the side effect of lung fibrosis. |
||
Can Chinese herbs be toxic to the liver? Yes. But severe side effects from herbs are unusual. In Hong Kong, where the use of Chinese herbs is both widespread and unregulated, it has been shown that only 0.2% of the general medical admission to the main hospital were due to adverse reactions to Chinese herbs. |
||
What are basic principles of Chinese dietary therapy for HCV? Eat mostly warm foods, which sustain the digestive system. With veggies, eat root vegetables (ie. Carrot, yam, beets, leeks) as opposed to leafy greens. Avoid eating raw, frozen, and iced foods frequently. This means salad, ice cream, anything that comes out of the frigde. Drink minimal liquids while eating so you don’t drown the digestive fires. Eat plenty of ginger, a warming food energetically. Ginger harmonizes the spleen and stomach, alleviates nausea and vomit. Drink ginger tea or make carrot soup with ginger. |
||
In CM, what is the mind-body-emotion connection associated with the Liver organ system? The Liver organ system is particularly aligned with an aspect of the spiritual realm call the Hun, translated to Ethereal Soul or unconscious mind. This is where courage and cowardice reside and they depend on a healthy Liver organ system to remain in balance. |
||
What are basic principles of Western dietary therapy for HCV? Avoid iron. It can cause liver toxicity. Iron overload can further damage the liver and compromise antiviral treatment. DO NOT use iron supplements unless you have a proven iron deficiency. Eliminate drugs and alcohol. Reduce dietary fat. Eat a high calorie and high protein diet. No more than three 3 oz. servings a day of meat. Eliminate whole dairy products. Use only low-fat or non-fat. Eliminate eggs, they contain saturated fat. Cook with canola and olive oil. Reduce sodium intake to 500 milligrams a day if suffering from ascites. |
||
I’ve been recently tested positive for HCV antibodies, do I carry the virus? Not necessarily. 1 out of 4 tested positive for antibodies fights off the virus by virtue of their own defense system. When it comes time to do a quantitative test for viral load (TMA), nothing will show up. This person was once exposed to the virus but is completely clear of it. |
||
What is necessary in order to come up with a Western diagnosis of HCV? Liver enzyme test (ALT/AST) for liver cell death. Molecular testing (TMA, PCR) for viral load. Sonogram to test for enlarged liver or spleen. Biopsy to test liver function. Biopsy is the gold standard for HCV diagnosis, it is 97% accurate. Biopsy stages liver disease. DO NOT begin ITF therapy before you get a liver biopsy. |
||
I’ve been tested negative for HCV antibodies, does it mean I don’t have the virus? No, always do a molecular test ( TMA ) for viral load. This is especially true for HIV positive patients. In this case, 20% of the sufferers do not produce antibodies. |
||
I just got diagnosed with HCV, what should I do now? Get Hep A & B vaccines right away since contracting C along with either of these other viruses can be devastating. DO NOT donate blood. DO NOT have bloody sex. DO NOT drink alcohol or eat drugs. Consider treatment options: WM alone: Good candidates are non 1a & 1b genotypes and if viral load is low. CM alone: Good candidates are those who had to stop ITF therapy from severe side effects. WM & CM combined: Good candidates are genotype 1a & 1b. Also, those who want to minimize side effects during ITF treatment. |
||
What are normal ALT levels? Less than 30 for men, less than 27 for women. AST and ALT enzyme tests are frequently used in diagnosing HCV but they only indicate liver inflammation, not liver function. The gold standard for testing liver function and staging liver disease is liver biopsy. |
||
What are common signs of impaired liver function? High blood pressure. Scarred liver tissue can interfere with blood circulation. This in turn can product high blood pressure in the portal vein. Spider veins and hemorrhoids. One of the liver’s function is to regulate proteins which are synthesized from amino acids that come from diet. When the proteins that control blood clotting are not regulated, spider veins and hemorrhoids can develop. Swollen ankle and feet. Albumin, another blood protein, is essential to maintain healthy circulation. It acts like a sponge to hold fluid, salt, and water within the blood vessels. If albumin is low, fluids will leak, resulting in swelling. If albumin level is less than 3.5, forget the biopsy, go straight for a liver transplant because the patient is cirrhotic. |
||
What are the symptoms of cirrhosis? Vascular spiders, jaundice, ascites, enlarged spleen. 20% of cirrhotic patients will develop end-stage liver cancer. |
For more information on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Marin County and other healing therapeutic services and introductory classes offered in Acupuncture and T.C.M. (Traditional Chinese Medicine), please contact:
Acupuncture of Marin - Integrative Medical Center of Mill Valley
Chris Veiga, L.Ac.
www.Acupuncture-Marin.com Chris@Acupuncture-Marin.com
Marin
County Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine Clinic:
125B Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 383-9900 FAX: (415) 383-9901
Click here for a map to our Marin County North Bay Acupuncture Center