Effect of yoga and naturopathy on liver, renal and cardiorespiratory functions of a patient with hepatic cirrhosis with portal hypertension and ascites: a case report

J Complement Integr Med. 2018 Jul 19;15(4). doi: 10.1515/jcim-2017-0098.

Abstract

A 39-year-old, married man was diagnosed with hepatic cirrhosis with portal hypertension and ascites in February 2016. His symptoms as described by him began with generalized body weakness, breathlessness and sudden weight gain of 16 kg within 3 weeks. History of regular intake of alcohol since 7 years and tremendous family stress were present. Patient underwent conventional medication for 6 months and ayurvedic medications for 4 months. In January 2017, he visited our hospital with the same complaints and underwent integrated naturopathy and yoga therapies (INYTs) for 4 weeks along with Ayurveda and conventional medications. The results of this study showed a better reduction in body weight, body mass index, abdominal girth, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure along with improvement in breath holding time, hemoglobin level, liver function test and renal function test. It suggests that 4 weeks of INYT with Ayurveda and conventional medications was effective in patients with hepatic cirrhosis with portal hypertension and ascites. Further studies are required to warrant these results.

Keywords: alcohol; ascites; hepatic cirrhosis; naturopathy; yoga.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ascites / physiopathology
  • Ascites / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / physiopathology
  • Hypertension, Portal / therapy*
  • Kidney / physiopathology*
  • Liver / physiopathology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / therapy*
  • Male
  • Naturopathy*
  • Yoga*