How to Prevent Prevent Liver Cirrhosis?
June 16, 2023
Liver cirrhosis is characterised by extensive scarring. Many other diseases and disorders, including hepatitis and prolonged alcoholism, can lead to this catastrophic condition. When your liver is damaged, be it from excessive alcohol consumption or something else like an infection, it tries to fix the damage by itself. Scar tissue develops as a result. Scar tissue accumulates as cirrhosis progresses, impairing the liver's ability to function. In its latter stages, cirrhosis can be fatal. Cirrhosis usually results in irreversible liver damage. So liver prevention is very important for health. The severity of liver cirrhosis can be mitigated if it is caught early and the underlying cause is treated. Sometimes it works the other way around.
Liver cirrhosis is a severe health condition that affects the liver's ability to function correctly. At first, symptoms may be mild and easy to overlook, but they can worsen over time if left untreated.
One of the most common symptoms of liver cirrhosis is fatigue. Patients often feel tired and weak due to the buildup of toxins in their bloodstream as their liver struggles to remove them.
Another cirrhosis symptom is jaundice, which causes a yellowish tint in the skin and eyes due to poor bilirubin processing by the liver. This occurs when there are high levels of bilirubin present in your blood.
Patients with advanced cirrhosis may experience mental confusion or forgetfulness, known as hepatic encephalopathy. They may also suffer from muscle wasting or loss of appetite due to malnutrition caused by impaired digestion processes.
Abdominal swelling or ascites can also occur as fluid accumulates within the abdominal cavity due to portal hypertension (high blood pressure in veins leading into your liver).
If you notice any combination of these cirrhosis symptoms or have other concerns about your health-related to cirrhosis, please consult with your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Early detection is critical for managing this chronic disease effectively.
Now, let us look into the different ways to prevent liver cirrhosis.
Alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of liver damage and cirrhosis. When we drink alcohol, our liver has to work extra hard to break it down into a less toxic substance that can be eliminated from our bodies. Over time, excessive drinking can cause inflammation and scarring in the liver - a condition known as alcoholic hepatitis.
To prevent this from happening, it's important to limit your alcohol intake. This means being mindful of how much you're drinking and knowing when to stop. The recommended maximum amount of alcohol for women is one drink per day, while men should not exceed two drinks per day.
Seek quick, professional help if you realise that you are unable to control your drinking or if you have established a dependence on alcohol. Addiction can be overcome with the help of many different approaches, including treatment and support groups.
Hepatitis is an infection caused by viruses that can severely damage the liver and eventually cause cirrhosis. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses all spread in slightly different ways.
Avoiding the spread of hepatitis A and E requires regular hand washing with soap and water, especially before eating or handling food. Tap water in places with inadequate cleanliness should be avoided in favour of bottled or heated water.
Hepatitis B and C are blood-borne viruses that can be transmitted through sexual contact or sharing needles. It's crucial to use protection during sex and never share needles or other injection equipment. If you're considering getting a tattoo or piercing, make sure the establishment follows proper sterilisation practices.
Our diets have a major effect on our bodies, particularly on the condition of our livers. A healthy, low-fat diet rich in nutrients can help lower the likelihood of developing liver cirrhosis.
To begin, make sure your diet includes a wide variety of colourful fruits and vegetables. Vitamins and antioxidants found in abundance in these foods can help prevent toxicity from damaging your liver. Whole grains, such as brown rice and oats, also aid in blood sugar control and inflammation reduction.
On the other hand, a higher chance of developing liver disease is associated with a diet high in salt and processed foods. Many of the preservatives and chemicals used in processed meals are toxic to the liver. Make an effort to prepare meals at home more often, preferably with fresh foods.
Getting checked out on a regular basis is crucial for staying healthy and warding off issues like liver cirrhosis. A yearly physical exam is the minimum frequency suggested for keeping tabs on one's health. Those who have had a liver illness in the past or who have a family history of the condition may also require more frequent screenings.
At these appointments, the doctor will check your liver's health and detect any irregularities or symptoms of damage. Blood tests, imaging investigations (such as CT scans or ultrasounds), and biopsies are all examples of standard diagnostic procedures.
You may also like to read, Liver Cirrhosis Diet
Liver cirrhosis is a severe condition that can have significant impacts on your health and well-being. However, with proper prevention measures in place, such as limiting alcohol consumption, getting vaccinated for hepatitis B and C, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, avoiding risky behaviours such as intravenous drug use or unprotected sex, and monitoring your medications with the help of a doctor can significantly reduce the risk of developing liver cirrhosis. Ultimately, taking care of your liver should be an essential part of your overall health routine. By following these preventative measures and seeking medical attention when needed, you can minimise your risks of developing liver cirrhosis and maintain good health for years to come.
Consider getting guidance and treatment from our doctors at Bethaniya Clinic to manage liver cirrhosis and prevent the disease from worsening. There are several alternative treatment for Cirrhosis including supplements, IV nutrient therapy, herbs, ayurvedic medicines etc . These can be used along with conventional treatment modalities for the optimal treatment outcome.
To know more, you may contact us today.
