Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (156 page)

Use only natural products around the
home and bathroom. Those with chronic fatigue are often more sensitive to the chemicals found in most household products. Visit your health-food store for natural and organic cleaning products, shampoos, and soaps.

Useful therapies may include cranial osteopathy, manual lymphatic drainage, and aromatherapy massage.

For further information, go to www.gillianmckeith.info/chronicfatigue.

CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER

Liver cirrhosis refers to a condition in which, over time, liver cells have become hardened and fibrotic. Scar tissue builds up and blood cannot flow freely into or out of the liver, reducing liver function. The liver has many important functions in the body including detoxification; blood-sugar and cholesterol control; and digestion and absorption of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, to name a few. The liver is an organ that can usually regenerate well but in cases of cirrhosis, the liver cells may not be replaced in the way they would be in a healthy liver.

SYMPTOMS

Nausea.

Constipation.

Diarrhea.

Loss of appetite.

Indigestion.

Low-grade fever.

Fatigue.

Muscle weakness.

Eye problems.

Jaundice.

CAUSES

The most common cause is chronic and excessive alcohol use. Other factors include damage from gallstones, drugs, previous bacterial or viral infections such as hepatitis, obesity, and poor diet generally.