Treating Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is damaged. Scar tissue slowly replaces healthy tissue. Treatment can control or slow liver scarring. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions closely to get the most out of your treatment. And ask your family and friends for support.

Making a treatment plan

You and your healthcare provider will decide on a treatment plan that’s best for you. The plan may include one or more of the following:

• Not drinking alcohol. Heavy alcohol use can damage the liver. Once the liver is damaged, even a small amount of alcohol can cause problems. You can slow down the cirrhosis getting worse if you stop all alcohol use. 

• Taking medicines. You may need to take these to treat some causes of cirrhosis. These include infection or a bile duct blockage. You may also need medicine to help your blood clot. And you may need medicine if your immune system is attacking the liver or bile ducts. You should not take certain other medicines if you have cirrhosis. These include NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. 

• Treating symptoms. Cirrhosis can cause swelling in your stomach and legs. A low-salt diet can help ease this symptom. So can taking water pills (diuretics).

• Eating healthy foods

• Losing extra weight. This is especially important if you are overweight, or have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol and triglycerides. Controlling these condition can slow down the cirrhosis getting worse. Exercise can help you lose weight. 

• Removing iron from your blood. Sometimes the amount of iron in your liver is higher than normal. Your doctor may remove extra iron from your blood.

Severe cases of cirrhosis may need special treatments. Your healthcare provider can discuss them with you.

Vaccines

Be sure to ask your healthcare provider about recommended vaccines. These include vaccines for viruses than can cause liver disease.