DELHI :  Specific treatment regimens developed at the Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic for patients suffering from self-limiting liver conditions like Hepatitis A as well as for those suffering from more

complicated conditions like cirrhosis of the liver and hepato-cellular carcinoma are providing immense benefit and relief to patients. The clinic was set up 42 years ago by the most celebrated homeopathic practitioner in the country, Dr. Kalyan Banerjee (Padma Shri recipient) and is now also managed by his son Dr. Kushal Banerjee. A team of dedicated and experienced doctors work at the Clinic.

Several diseases of the liver have no specific treatment in conventional medicine. These may occur due to a variety of causes. Heavy alcohol consumption and chronic viral hepatitis being two of the commonest causes of chronic liver disease. Drug induced liver injury is another common condition wherein 75% of the cases are said to lead to either liver transplantation or death. This condition may arise after the intake of courses of antibiotics and a variety of other conventional drugs.

Dr. Kalyan Banerjee, Founder, Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic said, “Homeopathy is extremely effective in the management of a large variety of diseases of the liver. Doctors at our clinic regularly get patients of cirrhosis of the liver. If the patient comes to us in the early stages, homeopathic treatment can keep the disease arrested and, in many cases, improve it to an extent that it becomes undetectable. In patients who have advanced cirrhosis, our treatment is directed towards keeping the disease arrested and maintaining a high quality of life for the patient. Difficult signs and symptoms like build-up of large amounts of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and bleeding from the dilated veins of the food pipe (oesophageal varices) are also effectively managed with homeopathic treatment.”

In most conditions, the liver is under acute strain with very limited options in allopathy, since the patient may react adversely to other drugs too. Many such cases who were being treated at intensive care units at leadings hospitals of the world have made dramatic recoveries after starting treatment at the clinic.

Dr. Kushal Banerjee said, “In patients who have advanced cirrhosis, our treatment is directed towards keeping the disease arrested and maintaining a high quality of life for the patient. Difficult signs and symptoms like build of large amounts of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)  and lungs (pleural effusion), respiratory distress and the involvement of the kidneys along with liver

disease(hepato-renal syndrome) are also effectively managed with homeopathic treatment.”

Homeopathy is often given in conjunction with conventional treatment. In advanced liver disease, hospital management and close monitoring is required. Important procedures like draining of the abdominal fluid, stopping blood loss, increasing blood protein levels and so on, need to be performed under expert guidance.

Dr. Kalyan Banerjee added, “Many of our patients, frequently begin treatment while in hospital. Hepato-cellular carcinoma is said to have a median survival period of 11 months with a maximum survival of 24 months. We see a lot of patients of this cancer, who have first taken all forms of treatment available to them with no response and then come to us. In many such instances, we can help arrest the disease, significantly extend life span and provide a very high quality of life. We have many patients who have far exceeded these numbers and we find that most patients who have undergone homeopathic treatment cross the five-year survival mark. Similarly, patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis with ascites (fluid in their abdomen) have a 1-year survival rate of 50%. However, amongst those with treatment at the Clinic we find that the survival beyond one year is close to 80%.”

Many difficult conditions which are considered irreversible or incurable require prolonged treatment spanning years. However, other conditions like viral hepatitis may need a very short course of treatment. Counselling the patient with advice on dietary and lifestyle changes is a very important part of homeopathic treatment. Many conditions like alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver etc need a drastic change in lifestyle for the treatment to work and to prevent recurrence. Also, in advanced liver disease, understanding which food groups to increase consumption for and what to avoid can contribute to better management of the condition.

Dr. Kushal Banerjee explained, “The doctors at our Clinic understand the value of diet and lifestyle and regularly spend time dispensing these pieces of advice and guidance to the patients. In chronic liver disease, homeopathy can keep parameters in check and provide a high quality of life. Homeopathy should be considered as a viable and an important option for patients with different kinds of liver disease. It can safely reduce suffering and shorten period of recovery for acute diseases.”