Liver cirrhosis; Cryptogenic chronic liver disease

All patients with cirrhosis can benefit from certain lifestyle changes, including:

• Stop drinking alcohol.
• Limit salt in the diet.
• Eat a nutritious diet.
• Get vaccinated for influenza, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and pneumococcal pneumonia (if recommended by your doctor).
• Tell your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medications, and any herbs and supplements you take now or are thinking of taking.

Other treatment options are available for the complications of cirrhosis:

• Bleeding varices -- upper endoscopy with banding and sclerosis
• Excess abdominal fluid (ascites) -- take diuretics, restrict fluid and salt, and remove fluid (paracentesis)
• Coagulopathy -- blood products or vitamin K
• Confusion or encephalopathy -- lactulose medication and antibiotics
• Infections -- antibiotics

A procedure called transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is sometimes needed for bleeding varices or ascites.

When cirrhosis progresses to end-stage liver disease, patients may be candidates for a liver transplant.

You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See liver disease - support group.

Images

Clubbing

Digestive system organs

Liver cirrhosis, CT scan

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Cirrhosis Symptoms

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Cirrhosis Prevention

Review Date: 12/13/2010
Reviewed By: George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)