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Liver Cirrhosis Treatment – A Definitive Guide (2018)
Once the liver has entered a state of cirrhosis, or scarring, the damage can’t be reversed. Cirrhosis can, however, be managed and treated.
Some of your treatment options will depend on the underlying disease causing the cirrhosis. If the disease can be addressed the progress of scarring can be halted. And because the liver is the only organ capable of regenerating itself, it’s even possible to eventually reverse some scarring if you continue to follow your treatment plan.
Cirrhosis Diet
Changing the way you eat is one of the most effective ways to combat cirrhosis, no matter what the underlying condition is. Eating right for your liver means avoiding alcohol, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial trans fats and carbs which are high on the glycemic index. It’s also very important to limit salt intake to avoid swelling in your abdomen.
Meanwhile, you’d focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, omega-3s, and protein. This diet is, incidentally, helpful for managing and correcting many conditions, and will help you by reducing the stress on your liver.
Eating on this diet doesn’t have to be an exercise in feeling deprived. You will find lots of yummy recipes here.
Medication For Cirrhosis
Doctors will prescribe medication to patients whose cirrhosis has been caused by any form of hepatitis. They’ll also prescribe medication to patients whose bile ducts are blocked.
You may also receive medication if you suffer from certain complications of cirrhosis. For example, some patients develop varices: enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach. These can become enlarged and burst, causing dangerous internal bleeding. Doctors can prescribe medication to reduce this swelling.
Another complication arises from the liver’s inability to properly process toxins. Some of them can make their way to your brain, a condition called hepatic encephalopathy. Fortunately, medication exists to lower toxin levels so that brain function may improve.
Natural Remedies for Cirrhosis
Even if your doctor does not prescribe medication supplements exist which can help you promote your liver’s natural ability to heal. When choosing the right supplement you should look for the presence of silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, and curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric.
Silymarin helps block toxins from entering the liver, while also helping to remove existing toxins from liver cells. This, in turn, can remove stress on the liver, prevent further scarring, and stimulate the process of regeneration. Meanwhile, turmeric reduces inflammation and improves bile production and flow. This helps you pass toxins out of your body naturally, allowing damaged liver tissue to repair itself.
If you want an extremely powerful supplement which includes both, try Clinical Liver Support. Clinical liver support contains both milk thistle and turmeric. It also contains artichoke leaf extract, which also serves to address bile function in the body. It contains NAC as well, a compound which helps your liver produce glutathione, an antioxidant that helps protect your liver from further damage.
Liver Surgery for Cirrhosis
If you fail to address cirrhosis in a timely fashion or develop complications you may require liver surgery. If you have cancer surgeons may need to remove the tumors. If you have a bile duct obstruction surgeons may need to remove the blockage.
But a liver transplant is the most common surgical solution, and liver transplants are iffy. There’s a long waiting list, and 17% of wait list patients die annually waiting for a liver they’ll never receive. In addition, some patients will never make it onto the waiting list because they’re deemed unlikely to survive long enough to make the transplant worthwhile.
Thus, it is far better to address liver problems early and support your liver long before cirrhosis develops, or to immediately make the required lifestyle changes under a doctor’s guidance should cirrhosis occur. Relying on surgical options is an iffy bet for anyone.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis/treatment ,"Treatment for Cirrhosis," The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, last updated March 2018, accessed August 3, 2018.
https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_vbzmcexe, "Proper Diet is Critical for Patients with Liver Disease," The Scope, University of Utah Health Radio, Transcript, June 30, 2014, accessed August 3, 2018.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis/treatment ,"Treatment for Cirrhosis," The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, last updated March 2018, accessed August 3, 2018.
https://surgery.ucsf.edu/conditions--procedures/cirrhosis.aspx, Cirrhosis, USCF Department of Surgery, accessed August 3, 2018.
About the Author
Stephen Holt, M.D. is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine NYCPM (Emerite) and a medical practitioner in New York State. He has published many peer-review papers in medicine and he is a best-selling author with more than twenty books in national and international distribution. He has received many awards for teaching and research. Dr. Holt is a frequent lecturer at scientific meetings and healthcare facilities throughout the world. He is a best selling author and the founder of the Holt Institute of Medicine.
