What is Gilbert Syndrome? – Symptoms, Cause and Ayurvedic Treatment
Abstract
Liver is the largest organ of the human body, which performs a number of various functions. It is an important organ for digestion of food and removing toxins from the body. There are a number of conditions such as infections, genetics, alcoholism, dietary habits, obesity, autoimmune conditions, cancers, certain medications etc. Gilbert Syndrome is a genetic condition that leads to high levels of bilirubin in the blood. That sometimes causes jaundice-like symptoms and other symptoms have been reported in some of the patients suffering from Gilbert Syndrome. In the following text we shall see the condition in detail and we shall also discuss its management in the contemporary system of medicine as well as in the traditional system of Ayurvedic medicine. Let’s have a look!!
Introduction
Gilbert syndrome is a disorder when the liver of the affected people processes bilirubin more slowly than other people. Some people, among them, never show any symptoms. In some people jaundice may occur such as slightly yellowish pigmentation of the whites of the eyes and skin. The condition occurs due to genetic variants. Gilbert Syndrome is also known as Meulengracht syndrome, familial cholema, familial nonhemolytic jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia Arias type, Gilbert-Lereboullet syndrome. In Ayurveda, the genetic conditions are well compared with bij dushti. We shall see a detailed aspect about the Gilbert Syndrome in accordance with Ayurveda.
Causes of Gilbert Syndrome
- Gilbert syndrome occurs due to the genetic variant in the gene UGT1A1 . It is an inherited condition in an autosomal recessive pattern and an autosomal dominant pattern.
- Some mutations in the gene UGT1A1 are related to the occurence of Gilbert Syndrome. The gene is responsible for the formation of (bilirubin-UGT) bilirubin uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase enzymes which are responsible for the removal of bilirubin from the body and usually found in the liver.
Signs and Symptoms
- Jaundice
- Cardiovascular effect
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
- Itching
- Depression
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of weight
- Difficulty in concentration
- Episodes of the jaundice may be activated by stress such as menstruation, fasting and exercises.
Diagnosis
- Elevated unconjugated bilirubin
- Total bilirubin is increased
- Ratio of indirect/direct bilirubin is greater than people without Gilbert syndrome.
Management
- No treatment is required as such. In the condition of significant jaundice, phenobarbital may be useful.
Ayurvedic Aspect and Management protocol
Ayurveda is one of the ancient Indian medicine systems. It is one of the amazing life sciences which focus on the lifestyle and diet and medical and surgical management of diseases. There are various diseases with a number of various causes such as dhatu dushti, sroto dushti, dosha votiation, beej dushti etc. Gilbert syndrome is a genetic condition and its correlation can be well established with beeja dushti. There are seven dhatu s in our body and the seventh dhatu is shukra which is directly linked with the formation of the beeja. There are three genetic units in Ayurveda such as beej (germinal cells), beeja bhaga (chromosome) and beejbhagavayva (gene). Dushti at this level causes genetic defects which leads to a number of problems. In the case of Gilbert syndrome, the involvement of the pitta dosha is eminent. Seat of pitta dosha is yakrit and pliha therefore, when vitiated it gets transported by vata dosha and causes the accumulation of the pitta dosha in the skin. The main dosha involved is pitta in this condition and dhatu involved are rakta and mamsa.
There are herbs and formulations available that benefit the liver and alleviates the symptoms related to the conditions caused by liver disorders. The herbs that are useful in Gilbert disease are bhoomi amal (Phyllanthus niruri), kumarti (Aloe vera), rohitaka (Tecoma undulata), kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), aragvadha (Cassia fistula), guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), pippali (Piper longum), punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), nimba (Azadirachta indica), daruharidra (Berberis aristata), bhringraj (Eclipta alba), draksha (Vitis vinifera), sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata, neeli (Indigofera tinctoria) and others.
Ayurvedic medicines that are effective in Gilbert Syndrome are Arogyavardhini vati, Kumaryasava, Rohitakarishta, Pippalyasava, Guduchi satva, Bhunimbadi kwath, Patolakaturohinyadi kashayam, Avipattikar churna, Lohasava, Rasasindura, Danti haritaki lehyam, Chandraprabha vati.
Herbal Remedies for Gilbert Syndrome by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is an eminent GMP certified, ISO 9001:2015 certified and US-FDA registered Ayurvedic Company, which adheres to the objective of manufacturing quality Ayurvedic products as mentioned in a number of ancient texts of Ayurveda. Formulations are manufactured without additives and preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or artificial flavouring agents which can have a number of side effects on the human body. Products manufactured at Planet Ayurveda are pure and devoid of any kind of adulteration. The products are purely organic and vegetarian and gluten free and halal certified. Planet Ayurveda presents its product that effectively manages the condition of Gilbert Syndrome.
Following is the list of formulations that are helpful in managing Gilbert Syndrome
- YAKRIT PLIHANTAK CHURNA
- AROGYAVARDHINI VATI
- LIVER DETOX FORMULA
- GANDHAK RASAYAN
Product Description
1. YAKRIT PLIHANTAK CHURNA
Yakrit Plihantak Churna is a blend of herbs that are useful in liver conditions and also keep the liver healthy. The herbs that constitutes the churna are Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) and Kaasni (Cichorium intybus). All the herbs cleanses the blood and pacifies the pitta dosha which helps in managing the yellow pigmentation of the skin and whites of the eyes. Furthermore, the herbs are beneficial in correcting the functions of the liver. It helps in the wellness of liver health and also benefits in the abnormality of the liver cells by correcting them and also stimulates the secretion of the liver.
Dosage : One teaspoonful twice a day with plain water after meals.
2. AROGYAVARDHINI VATI
Arogyavardhini vati is a classical ayurvedic medicine that improves and promotes good health. It is composed of the herbs Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Asphaltum (Shuddha shilajit), Amlaki (Emblica officinalis), Shuddh Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylanica), Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa). The ingredients again help the liver and correct the symptoms of Gilbert syndrome by stimulating the hepatocytes to secrete enzymes that manage the bilirubin levels in the blood. Arogyavardhini vati helps in managing various liver conditions. Arogyavardhini vati is tridosha shamak and has positive results in a number of conditions and promotes overall well-being.
Dosage : Two tablets twice a day with lukewarm water.
3. LIVER DETOX FORMULA
As the name of the product suggests, Liver Detox Formula is a formula that is typically formulated for the detoxification of the liver by Planet Ayurveda. The product is filled with the liver detoxification properties of the herbs Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Biranjasipha (Achillea millefolium–Yarrow), Himsra (Capparis spinosa), Kasni (Cichorium intybus), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Makoy (Solanum nigrum), Jhavuka (Tamarix gallica) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). The herbs are useful in liver disease as it detoxifies the liver cells. The formulation is beneficial in correcting the liver enzymes’ secretions and also helps in other liver related issues. As the liver gets detoxified it helps in maintenance of bilirubin levels in the blood and also overcomes the jaundice symptoms present due to Gilbert syndrome.
Dosage : Two capsules twice a day with plain water after meals.
4. GANDHAK RASAYAN
Gandhak rasayan is composed of shuddha gandhak (purified sulphur). Gandhak is required in a good amount in the detoxification process. Thus helps in the detoxification process of the body. Furthermore, sulphur is beneficial in skin related issues and enhances the skin lustre and other problems related to skin problems. In the case of Gilbert Syndrome, gandhak rasayan helps in checking the bilirubin levels in the bloodstream and also helps in overcoming the yellow pigmentation of the skin. Furthermore, it is a rasayan and thus possesses all the rasyan properties as mentioned in the charak samhita such as increasing lifespan, anti ageing action and others.
Dosage : Two tablets twice a day with lukewarm water.
Conclusion
Gilbert Syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs due to the mutations in the UGT1A1 gene. Though some of the patients do not face any symptoms of the condition, some face slight jaundice symptoms such as skin yellowing etc and other problems have also been reported in some of the patients. Patients with no symptoms often don’t care about the condition but those who develop symptoms of the same need management. As there is no accurate management available for Gilbert Syndrome in the modern medical system but ayurveda offers positive results by using medicines that balances the dosha those ae bitiateion and corrects the functioning of the liver and also alleviates symptoms associated with the above said condition. In the end, Ayurveda manages the condition upto the mark and thus is beneficial in Gilbert Syndrome.
