Treatment for liver cirrhosis: diet, remedies and natural options

Treatment for liver cirrhosis is indicated by a gastroenterologist or hepatologist according to the cause, symptoms and severity of the disease, and the use of medication, adequate diet or liver transplantation may be recommended in the most severe cases.

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic inflammation of the liver characterized by the formation of nodules and fibrous tissue, which interferes with the functioning of this organ and may be caused by excessive alcohol consumption or chronic use of medications, for example. Learn about other causes of liver cirrhosis.

This disease has no cure and its treatment is complex and individualized, and it is important to start as soon as possible to prevent the disease from worsening and to prevent complications.

How the treatment is carried out

The main treatment options for liver cirrhosis that may be recommended by your doctor are:

1. Use of medications

The use of medications to treat liver cirrhosis may vary according to the cause, symptoms and possible complications, so the doctor may recommend:

• Antiretroviralsif it is caused by hepatitis B and C viruses;
• Corticosteroids or immunosuppressantswhen it occurs due to autoimmune hepatitis;
• Ursodeoxycholic acid and obeticholic acidwhen cirrhosis is caused by primary biliary cholangitis;
• Copper chelationwhen it is due to Wilson’s disease;
• Iron chelationwhen it is due to hemochromatosis;
• Diureticsin cases where there is a large accumulation of fluid in the body;
• Cholestyraminerifampicin, naltrexone or sertraline, in cases of intense itchy skin.

In addition, the use of analgesics may also be indicated to relieve abdominal pain, which must be taken according to the doctor’s instructions, as they can interfere with the functioning of the liver.

2. Diet for cirrhosis

The diet for liver cirrhosis must be indicated by the nutritionist on an individual basis, and may vary according to the state of the disease, that is, whether it is compensated or decompensated.

However, in general, abstinence from alcohol is recommended, regardless of whether or not it is the agent responsible for cirrhosis, and a healthy and balanced diet, including 6 to 7 meals a day.

It is important to include a meal before bed, which must contain complex carbohydrates and proteins, as this will reduce fasting hours and prevent the loss of muscle mass. See what the diet for cirrhosis should be like.

3. Liver transplant

Liver transplantation is recommended by the doctor in more serious cases, when liver cirrhosis is decompensated, the liver is seriously compromised and stops working properly, or when drug treatment is not effective. This type of treatment may also be indicated in cases where the liver is affected by a tumor.

After this procedure is indicated, it is necessary to wait in the donation queue, as it is only after finding a donor that the transplant surgery will be scheduled. Understand how liver transplantation works and what recovery is like.

Which doctor to consult

The best doctor to evaluate liver cirrhosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment is a hepatologist. However, it is also possible to consult a gastroenterologist or even a general practitioner, who can refer you to a hepatologist if there is a need for more specialized treatment.

Complications of liver cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis must be treated as soon as the diagnosis is made, as it can cause complications such as ascites, which is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and which develops because the pressure in the liver artery increases, causing the blood vessels to become compressed. To reverse this complication, medication and paracentesis are necessary. See more about how paracentesis is performed.

Other complications of liver cirrhosis can be esophageal varices, which occur due to the rupture of blood vessels in the esophagus, caused by increased pressure, and peritonitis, which is inflammation of the membrane that covers the abdomen. Brain and lung complications may also arise due to a decrease in oxygen in the blood.