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Cirrhosis

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Treatment for Cirrhosis

Treatment for cirrhosis, pronounced suh-ROH-sis, depends on the cause of the disease and whether complications are present. The goals of treatment are to slow the progression of scar tissue in the liver and prevent or treat the complications of the disease. Hospitalization may be necessary for cirrhosis with complications.

Eating a Nutritious Diet

Because malnutrition is common in people with cirrhosis, a healthy diet is important in all stages of the disease. Health care providers recommend a meal plan that is well balanced. If * ascites develops, a sodium-restricted diet is recommended. A person with cirrhosis should not eat raw shellfish, which can contain a bacterium that causes serious infection. To improve nutrition, the doctor may add a liquid supplement taken by mouth or through a nasogastric tube - a tiny tube inserted through the nose and throat that reaches into the stomach.

Avoiding Alcohol and Other Substances

People with cirrhosis are encouraged not to consume any alcohol or illicit substances, as both will cause more liver damage. Because many vitamins and medications - prescription and over-the-counter - can affect liver function, a doctor should be consulted before taking them.

Specific Complications

Treatment for cirrhosis also addresses specific complications.

• Edema and Ascites
  For edema (swelling caused by excessive fluid in the body) and ascites (buildup of fluid in the * abdomen), the doctor will recommend diuretics - medications that remove fluid from the body. Large amounts of ascitic fluid may be removed from the abdomen and checked for bacterial peritonitis. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection. Severe infection with ascites will require intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
• Portal Hypertension
  The doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker or nitrate for * portal hypertension. Beta-blockers can lower the pressure in the varices (enlarged blood vessels) and reduce the risk of bleeding. Gastrointestinal bleeding requires an immediate upper endoscopy to look for esophageal varices. The doctor may perform a band-ligation using a special device to compress the varices and stop the bleeding. People who have had varices in the past may need to take medicine to prevent future episodes.
• Hepatic Encephalopathy
  Hepatic encephalopathy (buildup of toxins in the brain) is treated by cleansing the bowel with lactulose, a laxative given orally or in enemas. Antibiotics are added to the treatment if necessary. Patients may be asked to reduce dietary protein intake. Hepatic encephalopathy may improve as other complications of cirrhosis are controlled.
• Hepatorenal Failure
  Some people with cirrhosis who develop hepatorenal failure (kidney failure) must undergo regular hemodialysis treatments, a method in which blood is passed through a machine that purifies it and returns it to the body. Medications are also given to improve blood flow through the kidneys.
• Hepatitis
  Other treatments address the specific causes of cirrhosis. Treatment for cirrhosis caused by * hepatitis depends on the specific type of hepatitis. For example, interferon and other antiviral drugs are prescribed for viral hepatitis, and autoimmune hepatitis requires corticosteroids and other drugs that suppress the immune system.

Medications are given to treat various symptoms of cirrhosis, such as itching and abdominal pain.

Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order

* Abdomen
Pronounced - AB-doh-min
The part of the body between the ribs and pelvis that holds the stomach, intestines, liver, and other organs.

* Ascites
Pronounced - uh-SY-teez
Ascites is a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.

* Hepatitis
Pronounced - heh-puh-TY-tis
Hepatitis is irritation of the liver that sometimes causes permanent damage. Hepatitis may be caused by viruses or by medicines or alcohol. Hepatitis has the following forms: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D (Delta), Hepatitis E, and Autoimmune Hepatitis. More about Hepatitis.

* Portal Hypertension
Normally, blood from the intestines and spleen is carried to the liver through the portal vein. But cirrhosis slows the normal flow of blood, which increases the pressure in the portal vein. This condition is called portal hypertension.

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References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
December 2008
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

The information discussed above is a general overview and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.