Can liver cirrhosis be reversed naturally. What are the most effective dietary changes for improving liver health. How do lifestyle adaptations impact cirrhosis progression. Which supplements show promise for supporting liver function.

Understanding Liver Cirrhosis: Causes, Stages, and Implications

Liver cirrhosis is a severe condition characterized by the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue. This scarring occurs as a result of repeated injury and inflammation, leading to impaired liver function. While traditionally viewed as irreversible, recent research has sparked interest in potential natural approaches to managing and, in some cases, potentially reversing cirrhosis.

Common Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

• Chronic alcohol abuse
• Viral hepatitis (particularly hepatitis B and C)
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• Genetic liver disorders
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Chronic heart failure
• Certain medications

Understanding the underlying cause of cirrhosis is crucial for developing an effective management plan. In many cases, addressing the root cause can help slow or halt disease progression.

Stages of Liver Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis progresses through two main stages:

1. Compensated cirrhosis: The liver can still function relatively well, with few or no noticeable symptoms.
2. Decompensated cirrhosis: Liver function is significantly impaired, leading to complications and more apparent symptoms.

Early intervention and lifestyle changes are most effective during the compensated stage, highlighting the importance of regular liver health screenings.

The Potential for Natural Cirrhosis Reversal: What Does the Science Say?

While complete reversal of advanced cirrhosis remains challenging, emerging research suggests that some degree of regression may be possible in certain cases. However, it’s important to approach these findings with cautious optimism.

Is cirrhosis always permanent? Recent studies have shown that early-stage cirrhosis may be partially reversible if the underlying cause is addressed promptly. This typically involves a combination of medical treatment and significant lifestyle changes.

How much can liver health improve with natural interventions? The extent of improvement varies greatly depending on factors such as the severity of cirrhosis, the underlying cause, and the individual’s overall health. In some cases, natural approaches may help reduce inflammation, improve liver function, and slow disease progression.

Dietary Changes to Support Liver Health and Potentially Reverse Cirrhosis

A well-balanced, liver-friendly diet plays a crucial role in managing cirrhosis and supporting overall liver health. Consider incorporating the following dietary changes:

Mediterranean Diet for Liver Health

Why is the Mediterranean diet recommended for liver health? The Mediterranean diet, rich in plant-based foods, healthy fats, and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce liver fat and inflammation. Its emphasis on whole foods and antioxidants supports overall liver function.

• Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Choose lean proteins like fish and poultry
• Incorporate healthy fats from sources like olive oil, nuts, and avocados
• Limit red meat consumption
• Moderate alcohol intake or abstain completely, depending on your condition

Hydration and Liver Function

How does proper hydration impact liver health? Adequate hydration is essential for optimal liver function. Water helps flush toxins from the body and supports the liver’s detoxification processes. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day, adjusting based on your individual needs and medical advice.

Sodium Restriction

Why is sodium restriction important for cirrhosis patients? Excessive sodium intake can lead to fluid retention, a common complication in cirrhosis. Limiting sodium helps manage ascites and reduces strain on the liver. Aim for less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day, focusing on whole foods and avoiding processed items.

Lifestyle Adaptations to Improve Liver Health and Cirrhosis Management

In addition to dietary changes, certain lifestyle adaptations can significantly impact liver health and potentially slow the progression of cirrhosis:

Exercise and Cirrhosis Management

How does regular physical activity benefit liver health? Regular exercise helps reduce liver fat, improves insulin sensitivity, and supports weight management – all crucial factors in managing cirrhosis. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with strength training exercises.

Weight Management

Why is maintaining a healthy weight crucial for liver health? Excess body weight, particularly around the abdomen, can contribute to fatty liver disease and exacerbate cirrhosis. Gradual, sustainable weight loss through a combination of diet and exercise can significantly improve liver function and overall health.

Stress Reduction Techniques

How does stress impact liver health? Chronic stress can contribute to inflammation and potentially worsen liver damage. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can support overall liver health and well-being.

Promising Supplements for Supporting Liver Function in Cirrhosis

While supplements should not replace medical treatment, some have shown potential in supporting liver health:

Milk Thistle (Silymarin)

What makes milk thistle a popular liver supplement? Milk thistle contains silymarin, a compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest it may help protect liver cells and support regeneration. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effects on cirrhosis.

Vitamin E

How does vitamin E benefit liver health? Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver. Some studies have shown promise in its use for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common precursor to cirrhosis.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Why are omega-3 fatty acids recommended for liver health? Omega-3s, found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements, have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce liver fat and inflammation. They may be particularly beneficial for individuals with NAFLD or cirrhosis related to metabolic disorders.

It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, as some may interact with medications or have contraindications in certain liver conditions.

Integrating Natural Approaches with Conventional Treatment

While natural approaches can play a significant role in managing cirrhosis, they should not replace conventional medical treatment. A comprehensive approach that combines lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and medical interventions often yields the best results.

Working with Your Healthcare Team

How can you effectively collaborate with your healthcare providers? Open communication with your medical team is essential. Discuss your interest in natural approaches and work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all aspects of your liver health.

Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Treatment

Why is regular monitoring important in cirrhosis management? Regular check-ups and liver function tests allow your healthcare team to assess the effectiveness of your treatment plan and make necessary adjustments. This proactive approach ensures that you’re receiving the most appropriate care as your condition evolves.

Recognizing When to Seek Medical Attention

While natural approaches can be beneficial, it’s crucial to recognize signs that indicate the need for immediate medical attention:

• Sudden onset of severe abdominal pain
• Fever and chills
• Confusion or changes in mental state
• Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools
• Rapid weight gain or increasing abdominal swelling
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

These symptoms may indicate complications of cirrhosis that require prompt medical intervention. Never hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you experience concerning symptoms or have questions about your condition.

The Future of Natural Cirrhosis Management: Emerging Research and Therapies

As our understanding of liver disease continues to evolve, researchers are exploring innovative approaches to managing and potentially reversing cirrhosis:

Gut Microbiome Modulation

How does the gut microbiome influence liver health? The gut-liver axis is an area of growing interest in cirrhosis research. Probiotics and prebiotics may help modulate the gut microbiome, potentially reducing inflammation and improving liver function. Ongoing studies are investigating the most effective strains and dosages for liver health.

Antifibrotic Therapies

What are antifibrotic therapies, and how might they benefit cirrhosis patients? Antifibrotic therapies aim to slow or reverse the formation of scar tissue in the liver. While many of these therapies are still in development, some natural compounds like curcumin (found in turmeric) have shown promise in early studies for their antifibrotic properties.

Personalized Nutrition and Lifestyle Interventions

How might personalized approaches improve cirrhosis management? Advances in genetic testing and metabolomics are paving the way for more personalized treatment plans. In the future, healthcare providers may be able to tailor dietary recommendations and lifestyle interventions based on an individual’s genetic profile and specific liver condition.

As research in these areas progresses, it’s important to stay informed and discuss emerging therapies with your healthcare team. While many of these approaches show promise, they should always be evaluated in the context of your individual health situation and existing treatment plan.

In conclusion, while complete reversal of advanced cirrhosis remains challenging, a comprehensive approach that combines natural strategies with conventional medical care offers the best chance for managing the condition and potentially improving liver health. By focusing on diet, lifestyle, and overall wellness, individuals with cirrhosis can take an active role in their treatment and work towards the best possible outcomes.

Can You Reverse Liver Cirrhosis Naturally?

Content

• Overview
• Cirrhosis explained
• Can liver cirrhosis be reversed?
• Ways to improve your liver health naturally
• When to see your doctor 
• The lowdown
• Frequently asked questions

Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease. While traditional treatments are important and are often needed for cirrhosis, natural ways are also available to manage the condition—and, in rare instances, reverse it. 

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What is cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease when scar tissue in the liver replaces healthy tissue. Scarring happens when the liver is injured and tries to repair itself.

This leads to poor liver functioning because the liver cannot process nutrients, hormones, drugs, and toxins properly. It also lowers the production of substances made by the liver and can block blood flow through the liver. 

Causes

Cirrhosis occurs due to ongoing fibrosis and chronic inflammation. Diseases and damage to the healthy cells in the liver lead to cell death and inflammation. Then, when the cells and tissues repair, it leads to scarring. 

This can happen due to the following causes:

• Excessive and chronic alcohol use 

• Medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis and hemochromatosis

• Chronic viral liver infections, such as hepatitis B, C, and D (hepatitis C is the most common cause of cirrhosis)

• Obesity and diabetes-related fatty liver (non-alcohol related steatohepatitis) 

• Genetic liver diseases

• Bile duct disease 

• Chronic heart failure

• Long-term use of some medications 

Stages 

Cirrhosis can be classified into two stages. 

Compensated cirrhosis

During this stage, no symptoms of cirrhosis are typically present. The liver still functions relatively well, as enough healthy liver cells are still present to compensate for the scar tissue. 

Decompensated cirrhosis

During this stage, symptoms and complications of cirrhosis occur. This is because the amount of scar tissue increases, and the liver struggles to function properly. 

Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure. 

There is no direct cure for liver cirrhosis, and it cannot be reversed in most cases. This is because the damage to the liver is too advanced. 

However, some new research has shown that it may be possible to reverse or regress cirrhosis, but whether it can occur on a scale to lead to any clinical changes or improvement of symptoms is doubtful.  

Since liver cirrhosis is generally regarded as permanent, the aim of treatment is typically to control the disease, prevent or slow down further progression, and improve symptoms. 

Although healthcare professionals recommend traditional treatments, some natural ways may improve liver health. Remember, these aren’t cures for cirrhosis. 

Dietary changes

Some dietary changes you can make include:

• Limiting alcohol to one standard drink daily for women and two for men, at most. It’s recommended to avoid alcohol if you have alcoholic liver disease. One drink is equal to 5 ounces of table wine. One 12-ounce can of regular beer or one 1.5-ounce serving of hard liquor. 

• Focus on a plant-based diet with plenty of foods high in fiber, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, rather than refined carbohydrates. The Mediterranean diet is often recommended for its health benefits. 

• Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking enough water.

• Choose lean sources of protein.

• Limit fatty and fried foods. 

• Limit sodium (salty foods). 

• Avoid raw seafood such as oysters and shellfish (as these can contain harmful bacteria).

• Focus on omega-3 fatty acids because they are anti-inflammatory and may have a beneficial effect on the liver.  

Specific liver diseases may need their own dietary changes (such as reducing fats or protein), so it’s best to talk to your doctor before making any large or sudden dietary changes. 

Lifestyle adaptation

Some ways to improve liver health in your day-to-day life include:

• Taking part in regular physical activity

• Avoiding smoking and using recreational drugs

• Using a condom during sex prevents sexually transmitted illnesses, which can cause liver diseases

• Being careful with toxic chemicals such as those found in cleaning products, aerosols, and insecticides

• Not sharing needles with anyone

• Only using reputable tattoo parlors

Control your body weight

Maintaining a healthy body weight is important. 

Losing weight if you’re overweight is recommended by eating smaller portions and increasing physical activity. This can help reduce fat in the liver, inflammation, and scarring.

Often, weight loss cleaners are also marketed as liver cleanses or detoxes. Currently, there is no scientific evidence that these products improve or prevent liver disease. 

Supplements

There is mixed evidence on whether dietary supplements help with cirrhosis and improve liver health. Most studies into dietary supplements are still in the research phase, with limited trials in human populations. 

The following supplements might be helpful for liver health; however, it’s always best to talk to your doctor before starting any supplements. 

• Branded chain amino acids (BCAAs) 

• Silymarin (milk thistle) due to its antioxidant properties 

• Betaine, a substance produced in the body that’s important for liver function 

• S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), a substance that’s naturally produced in the body

• Probiotics, which research is still looking into 

• Multivitamins

• Curcumin, although its effectiveness is not yet proven

• Vitamin E

• Zinc 

People with liver damage are often recommended to avoid vitamin A and selenium supplements.  

Since cirrhosis is a late-stage disease, seeing your doctor as soon as possible is important if you have any concerns about your liver health. 

Diagnosing liver disease at an early stage can help prevent the progression of the disease to cirrhosis and ensure that the liver retains its ability to repair itself as much as possible.  

Liver cirrhosis indicates late-stage liver disease. Although it’s usually permanent, some ways to naturally treat and slow its progression are available through dietary and lifestyle changes. In rare cases, cirrhosis can be reversed. 

Can cirrhosis of the liver be reversed naturally?

Cirrhosis of the liver is generally described as being permanent. This is because cirrhosis indicates late-stage liver disease. However, some evidence has found that cirrhosis can be reversed in rare cases. 

What is the best natural treatment for liver cirrhosis?

It depends on the underlying cause of the cirrhosis, but consuming a healthy diet, avoiding or limiting alcohol, undertaking regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight are some of the best ways to treat liver cirrhosis naturally.  

What foods heal cirrhosis of the liver?

While no one food can “heal” cirrhosis of the liver, a Mediterranean-style plant-based diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources is recommended for improving liver health.

Cirrhosis Symptoms + Natural Prevention & Remedies

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The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies.

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The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

By Jillian Levy, CHHC

March 10, 2017

Did you know that your liver is your largest internal organ (roughly the size of a football!)?  Your hard-working liver, weighing roughly three to four pounds in total, sits just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen. It’s responsible for crucial functions like digesting your food, storing energy, and removing toxins from your body.

Few of us live in unpolluted environments and eat completely “clean” diets. As a result, many people experience a constant influx of toxins coming from the air, soil, water and food supply. These toxins can all cause your liver to become overworked and in need of a serious liver detox. In fact, a poorly working liver causes a whole range of symptoms that can affect nearly every system in the body. These include many symptoms that people don’t usually associate with a failing liver.

Some minor-to-moderate liver problems can be effectively managed or treated with lifestyle modifications alone. Losing weight, cleaning up your diet and stopping alcohol use can all help. But this isn’t always the case with cirrhosis of the liver. In fact, cirrhosis is a much more serious and advanced form of liver damage. Unfortunately, there is no cure for cirrhosis of the liver. However, there are treatments available that can limit risk for liver failure and other complications. (1)

What are some ways you can help prevent liver cirrhosis and other forms of liver disease from developing? When it comes to liver health, first and foremost eating a healthy diet is key. Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs. This is due to the enormous energy it takes to digest foods daily — especially when you’re eating a toxin-heavy, low-nutrient diet. Exercising regularly and reducing toxin exposure by limiting the amount of alcohol, medications, pesticides, herbicides and hormone-disruptors you consume are also beneficial for keeping your liver healthy.

Cirrhosis of the liver is a serious progressive disease in which scar tissue develops in the liver. As a result, it causes dysfunction that impacts essential processes like: blood flow, elimination of toxins and waste from the body, hormone levels, and digestion of certain essential nutrients.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the most common reasons why dangerous scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue include alcohol abuse, a history of fatty liver disease and viruses such as hepatitis. Other factors like consuming a poor diet, genetics or a family history of liver disease, and having high cholesterol levels may also contribute to liver dysfunction and risk for cirrhosis. (2)

Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates. Unfortunately, if liver disease worsens enough to be considered “advanced stage cirrhosis,” liver failure, then liver cancer, might develop. At this point the condition, might be fatal and transplantation is usually considered the only curative option for most patients. But, luckily, lifestyle changes and some pharmacological therapies can help halt progression and even reverse cirrhosis to some extent. (3)

Common Symptoms of Cirrhosis & Complications

Many don’t notice any symptoms of liver damage or cirrhosis at first. Some of the common signs and symptoms of cirrhosis and other forms of liver disease include: (4)

• Lack of energy, or fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Jaundice symptoms including skin and eyes that appear yellow.
• Digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and cramping.
• Cognitive issues like confusion, disorientation, and mood or personality changes.
• Swelling in the legs and ankles.
• Skin problems like feeling itchy.
• Urine that’s dark in color (brown or yellow).
• Pale or dark tar-colored stool.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Changes in weight, usually loss due to less appetite.
• Tendency to bruise the skin easily.

Stages of Liver Cirrhosis

Liver disease is a serious problem that affects millions of people in the United States each year alone. The American Liver Foundation reports that liver disease affects one out of every 10 Americans. In fact, it’s one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States each year. (5) There are more than 100 types of different kinds of liver diseases including: fatty liver syndrome, jaundice, cirrhosis, genetic disorders, and various viruses like hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Cirrhosis of the liver means major life expectancy shortening. Sadly, the median survival time of patients with advanced cirrhosis is 1-2 years.  (6) In its earlier stages, liver disease and even cirrhosis might not cause any symptoms at all. Because of this, causes or risk factors that are making the condition even worse might not be addressed. Early in the disease, symptoms like low energy, skin changes, swelling/edema and nutrient deficiencies might be the first to appear. Over time, if the liver becomes very damaged, it develops scarring that’s indicative of cirrhosis. This can eventually lead to liver failure, which can be fatal, although not everyone with liver disease will wind up becoming this sick. Complications due to cirrhosis can occur as scarring continues to worsen, which include:

• Portal hypertension: Fluid buildup leading to edema, risk for infections, enlarged blood vessels, enlarged spleen, mental confusion and other issues.
• Edema and ascites: Bacterial peritonitis, a serious infection.
• Varices: Enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus, stomach, or both, which can lead to bursting and deadly bleeding.
• Spleen problems that cause blood changes: Changes in blood cells and platelets in the blood.
• Hepatic encephalopathy: Toxins accumulating in the brain, which can cause cognitive changes.
• Metabolic bone diseases: Leading to changes in mineral levels and osteopenia, or bone loss.
• Gallstones and bile duct stones.
• Sensitivity to medications.
• Chronic conditions like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
• Weakened immune system & higher risk for infection.
• Higher risk for kidney and lung failure.
• Potentially liver cancer: Liver cancer is common in people with cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis Causes and Risk Factors

Most people associate liver disease with alcoholism. But, anything your body can’t break down and use for energy immediately ends up in the liver for detoxification. Because of this, your liver needs all the help it can get. When you overindulge in alcohol, chemicals, drugs, fried foods, processed or refined foods (white flour, conventional dairy, white sugar and low quality animal products, for example), your liver gets heavily taxed and might not be able to keep up. The result is scarring and loss of healthy liver cells (in other words, cirrhosis).

Risk factors for cirrhosis include: (7)

• History of fatty liver disease.
• Drinking too much alcohol.
• Drug use and smoking.
• A poor diet (low in things like veggies, herbs and fruit, but high in processed foods, sugar, salt and saturated fat).
• History of diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
• Obesity.
• High cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Chronic viruses and infection.
• High amounts of exposure to toxins and environmental pollutants.
• Taking certain medications.
• Genetic factors.
• History of other diseases that damage, destroy, or block the bile ducts and interfere with processes of the digestive organs.

Avoiding a highly processed diet and too much alcohol are two cirrhosis risk factors that you have a lot of control over. The reason vegetables (and making vegetable juices) are so important for your liver is because they provide crucial electrolytes, phytonutrients, enzymes and antioxidants. Vegetables and certain fruits (especially citrus like lemons and limes) also help to reduce acid levels in the body, which creates a more friendly pH balance and can prevent low potassium levels that are linked to liver damage. Additionally, these whole plant foods provide much needed dietary fiber that helps support a healthy digestive tract and gut environment. Regulating digestive function is crucial for liver health because producing a daily bowel movement is how you eliminate toxins from your body once the liver produces them.

Conventional Treatment for Cirrhosis

Treatment for cirrhosis will depend on what’s causing it in the first place and how severe the condition has become. Doctors often use a combination of treatment methods including medications and lifestyle changes. While there is no “cure” for cirrhosis, there are a wide variety of management techniques used to control the symptoms of cirrhosis:

• Eliminating alcohol and drug intake.
• Diuretics to control edema (fluid retention) and ascites (fluid in the abdomen).
• Eating a less processed diet, increasing nutrient intake and reducing salt intake.
• Weight loss strategies and those used to control cholesterol levels.
• Cognitive therapies and sometimes medications to improve mood or mental dysfunction.
• Laxatives to improve elimination of toxins.
• In the case of hepatitis, use of medications like steroids or antiviral drugs.
• In severe cases, due to liver failure, liver transplantation may be needed.

8 Natural Ways to Cope With Liver Cirrhosis

1. Regularly Try To “Cleanse The Liver”

Many ancient populations, including the Chinese, considered the liver to be the most important organ — hence the word “live” in its name. If you haven’t been eating a vegetable-based diet, regularly getting exercise, and making sure to limit your alcohol and toxin exposure — then just like most people, you might be in need of a liver cleanse.

To keep your liver properly filtering toxins from the food, water, and air you come into contact with, here’s a list of some specific foods that can help:

• dark green, leafy vegetables
• steamed and raw vegetables, or drinking vegetable juices
• citrus fruits
• sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados (great sources of potassium)
• milk thistle seed (tea or extract)
• turmeric (spice or tablet)
• ginger
• “superfoods” including spirulina, chlorella, and wheatgrass
• probiotic foods and supplements
• dandelion root tea
• burdock root
• black seed oil
• fresh squeezed lemon juice
• A detoxing tea or dandelion tea
• extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil
• raw apple cider vinegar
• beef liver and other organ meats

And here are foods to avoid that can add stress to your liver:

• overeating
• overly spicy foods
• fried foods
• refined carbohydrates, including those containing gluten
• sugar
• too much caffeine (black tea, coffee, soda)
• alcohol
• rich, complicated meals (combining too many different food types at once)

2. Eat An Anti-Inflammatory Diet, Focusing On Organic Foods

Just like chronic alcohol abuse can cause fatty liver disease, so can poor dietary choices (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). In fact, a diet high in low-quality saturated fats, fried foods, chemicals and processed foods can raise the risk for liver disease. As a result, high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood are two serious risk factors for liver damage and cirrhosis.

Regularly consuming enough (ideally organic) vegetables and other whole foods is the key to maintaining a healthy liver. It’s important to eat a variety of raw vegetables for the most liver benefits, ideally around 4-5 servings of fresh, organic vegetables everyday. If this seems overwhelming, you can try juicing fresh vegetables (just watch the sugar content!). If you already suffer from liver damage of any kind, juicing vegetables to make a homemade detox drink is a great option because it makes the vegetables easier to digest and doesn’t require the production of as much bile.

To put less strain on your liver, limit the saturated fats you eat to only high quality, grass-fed, cage-free or pasture-raised animal products, since conventionally raised (farm raised) animals tend to store the most toxins in their fat. Focus on making your fat sources very high quality ones — things like coconut oil, nuts, seeds and wild seafood. In general, the less foods you eat that come out of a package or box, the better. That’s because “convenience foods” are loaded with chemical preservatives, fillers, synthetic flavors and so on.  For example added nitrates are commonly found in packaged meats and are known to tax the liver, as is sugar and hydrogenated oils (trans-fats) found in commercial baked goods.

As often as you can, include these liver-supporting veggies in your meals:

• cauliflower
• broccoli
• leafy greens like kale, spinach, dandelion, watercress
• Brussels sprouts or cabbage
• celery
• asparagus
• beets
• carrot
• cucumber
• herbs including parsley, mint, cilantro, basil

Try to purchase organic foods as much as possible. Your liver pays the price for a diet that’s high in chemicals, pesticides and other toxins. For this reason, choosing to buy as many organic foods as you can is important for preventing liver problems and potentially liver disease. Just by focusing on buying organic varieties of the toxin-heavy “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables, you can dramatically lower your intake of toxins.  This is a helpful list of the types of produce that are most contaminated with toxins, and those that are the least contaminated.

3. Reduce Your Alcohol Intake, Quit Smoking & Avoid Other Drugs

High alcohol intake is most closely tied to fatty liver disease, which is the build-up of fat in liver cells that causes swelling and cirrhosis. While moderate amounts of alcohol can sometimes be good for you if you’re otherwise healthy, chronic intake of high amounts of alcohol causes damage to many organs, the liver being the most affected. Drinking high amounts of alcohol is one of the fastest ways to damage or destroy liver cells — and alcohol combined with prescription or over-the-counter medications, cigarettes or a poor diet is even more harmful.

Limit your alcohol intake to the “healthy” range for most adults, which is no more than 1-2 drinks daily (or about 30 grams, considered the “safe” amount). If you have any known liver problems, or are someone who can afford to detoxify your system for other reasons, having even less than this is a good idea.

4. Support The Liver With Supplements

Supplements, herbs and spices including turmeric, milk thistle, probiotics and ginger root can help produce proper bile and enzymes, sooth the digestive tract, reduce intestinal gas, and lower inflammation:

• Milk Thistle is considered the “king” of detoxifying herbs. It has been used for centuries to help cleanse the liver and eliminate the buildup of heavy metals, prescriptions, pollutants and alcohol.
• Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory that not only aids in digestion, but also helps to restore a healthy blood sugar balance, which supports liver metabolism.
• Recent research also suggests that probiotics can be helpful for liver health because intestinal microbiota play an important role in detoxification and metabolic processes. Altered intestinal permeability (also called leaky gut syndrome) might change the way that the liver functions and can make hepatic disorders worse. In the future, health-promoting microbial strains and probiotic foods likely will be recommended to liver disease patients to help lower harmful interactions and restore the body’s immune responses.
• Many of the foods or supplements listed above are also great sources of much-needed nutrients like potassium, vitamin C,  vitamin A, and vitamin B-6. Potassium-rich foods are especially beneficial because they help to lower systolic blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and reduce triglyceride levels.

5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Liver disease that’s associated with obesity is now the most prevalent liver disease in Western countries. Obesity can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and is related to a dramatically higher risk for developing other liver problems, too, in some cases. Metabolic syndrome is the term for a combination of factors including being overweight and having high blood pressure, high blood sugar, too much fat around the waist, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and high triglycerides. These factors all raise the odds of someone suffering from liver damage, not to mention heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Recent research published in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that obese adults have anywhere between 3-15 times the risk for developing liver disease than adults at a healthy weight. (8) That’s because being overweight alters the level of fatty acids and enzymes that your liver produces. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when the rate of fatty acid uptake and synthesis is greater than the rate of fatty acid oxidation and export. This process is called “steatosis” and the result is an excessive amount of  triglycerides are produced by the liver. (9)

Steatosis is associated with harmful changes in glucose, fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism that can all increase fat-storage (adipose tissue), systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and other cardiometabolic risk factors. To lower your odds of having high triglycerides, make sure to keep the amount of sugar and packaged foods you eat low and focus on a nutrient-dense diet made up of whole foods.

6. Reduce Toxin Exposure In Other Ways

We all come into contact daily with various forms of toxins through the air we breath, foods we eat and products we use. Do your best to avoid breathing in or touching toxins, especially by limiting the amount of chemical household, cleaning and beauty products you use. Chemicals found in aerosol products, insecticides, synthetic beauty products, and additives in cigarettes all injure liver cells.

7. Check Your Medications 

The liver is responsible for sorting through chemicals in your bloodstream. These include those you intentionally ingest from prescription medications, birth control pills, hormone replacement drugs and others. Many experts believe that a large percentage of common medications are over-prescribed today, or taken incorrectly and mixed with the wrong things — including antibiotics and pain killers. If you do take medications regularly, learn about how they can affect your liver. Carefully follow dosing instructions. Ask your doctor to find out if there are any natural remedies that you could use instead.

8. Prevent Infections & Viruses That Can Damage The Liver

Liver diseases including hepatitis A, B and C are caused by viruses that are transmitted from person to person.  These can cause the liver to swell up, develop cirrhosis, not work properly and potentially experience failure. They can even lead to liver cancer and be fatal. Most health authorities state that getting proper vaccinations is the best way to prevent hepatitis A and B. There isn’t a vaccine as of now for hepatitis C.

In fact, the only way to prevent hepatitis C infection is to avoid exposure to blood carrying the virus through prevention methods. These methods include practicing safe sex, not sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes or personal items, and always washing your hands with soap and warm water immediately after using a bathroom or touching someone’s blood.

Precautions When Treating Cirrhosis

Talk to your doctor if you notice any early warning signs of liver damage. Remember that stopping liver damage before it progresses is very important. However, there are often no symptoms of fatty liver disease; you may live with the condition and not realize it. Over time — sometimes it can take years or even decades — some signs may begin to surface. This is exactly the time you want to tackle the root causes. Early symptoms of liver disease include: unexplained fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, nausea, confusion or trouble concentrating and pain in the center or right upper part of belly.

Final Thoughts on Cirrhosis of the Liver

• Cirrhosis is a serious, late stage of liver disease characterized by tissue scarring within the liver.
• The causes of cirrhosis are the same as other types of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis or other viruses: poor diet, obesity, alcohol abuse and history of metabolic syndrome.
• Symptoms of cirrhosis include swelling, lack of energy skin changes (jaundice), digestive issues and cognitive changes.
• Natural treatments and prevention include preventing viruses, improving your diet, avoiding too much alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting toxin exposure.

Read Next: How to Improve Liver Function in 6 Steps

Treatment of liver cirrhosis: methods, symptoms, causes

Contents

• 1 How to cure liver cirrhosis: modern methods and effective remedies
  • 1.1 Treatment of liver cirrhosis
    • 1. 1.1 Drug treatment
    • 1.1.2 Diet and daily routine
    • 1.1.3 Surgical treatment
  • 1.2 Liver cirrhosis: what is it?
  • 1.3 Causes of liver cirrhosis
  • 1.4 Symptoms of liver cirrhosis
  • 1.5 Methods for diagnosing liver cirrhosis
  • 1.6 Treatment of liver cirrhosis
    • 1.6.1 Principles of treatment
  • 1.7 Treatment of early cirrhosis of the liver
    • 1.7.1 Lifestyle modification
    • 1.7.2 Honey medical treatment
    • 1.7.3 Surgical treatment
  • 1.8 Treatment of advanced cirrhosis
  • 1.9 Essential drugs for cirrhosis
  • 1.10 Prevention of cirrhosis
  • 1.11 Expert advice for patients with cirrhosis
  • 1.12 Q&A:
    • • 1.12.0.1 What are the treatments for liver cirrhosis?
      • 1.12.0.2 Which symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver should be looked for first?
      • 1.12.0.3 What causes can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis?
      • 1. 12.0.4 What is liver transplantation and when is it necessary for cirrhosis?
      • 1.12.0.5 What is included in lifestyle changes for cirrhosis of the liver?
      • 1.12.0.6 What medicines are available to treat liver cirrhosis?
  • 1.13 Related videos:

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease that requires complex treatment. The article presents the main methods for diagnosing and treating liver cirrhosis, as well as recommendations for maintaining liver health and preventing the disease.

Cirrhosis of the liver is a serious disease that leads to irreversible changes in liver tissue. Statistics show that every year the number of patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver is growing. The disease can occur due to alcoholism, viral infections, uncontrolled medication and other factors.

Signs of liver cirrhosis are not always obvious, but this does not mean that the disease can be ignored. Significant changes in the liver provoke the occurrence of complications, such as bleeding, ascites, liver failure, and others. Modern medicine offers various treatments for cirrhosis of the liver, which help control the disease and improve the patient’s quality of life.

In this article, we will look at the main treatments for cirrhosis of the liver, the most common causes of the development of the disease, as well as the symptoms that should be paid special attention to. The experts will share their tips on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cirrhosis of the liver to help patients properly assess their situation and take the necessary measures to combat the disease.

Treatment of liver cirrhosis

Drug treatment

Treatment of liver cirrhosis should be carried out under the supervision of a gastroenterologist. Most often, drugs are prescribed aimed at stimulating the regeneration of liver cells and inhibiting the process of liver destruction. Hepatoprotectors, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory drugs may also be used.

Diet and daily routine

One of the important aspects of the treatment of cirrhosis is proper nutrition. Patients are advised to follow a diet excluding fatty, fried, salty, spicy and spices from the diet. It is also necessary to reduce alcohol consumption, otherwise the treatment may not be effective. The daily routine also plays an important role in the treatment of cirrhosis – it is necessary to exercise and properly distribute the time for rest and work.

Surgical treatment

In some cases, surgical treatment of liver cirrhosis, such as liver transplantation, is indicated. This allows you to get rid of the disease and return the liver to its functions. However, this treatment is a last resort and is used only in severe cases of cirrhosis of the liver.

Cirrhosis of the liver: what is it?

Cirrhosis of the liver is a serious condition in which healthy liver tissue is destroyed and replaced by scarring. This tissue replacement leads to the fact that the liver stops working properly, which can lead to various complications and even death.

Cirrhosis of the liver can occur for a variety of reasons, including alcohol abuse, viral infections, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Symptoms of cirrhosis can range from mild to severe and include fatigue, jaundice, an enlarged abdomen, and severe pain in the right side.

Liver cirrhosis can be diagnosed through physical and laboratory tests such as ultrasound and blood tests. Treatment for cirrhosis of the liver may include lifestyle changes (such as stopping alcohol), medications, and in some cases, a liver transplant.

Causes of cirrhosis of the liver

Cirrhosis of the liver is a serious disease that is chronic and leads to irreversible changes in the liver tissue. The development of cirrhosis of the liver usually occurs gradually, and a number of reasons can lead to its appearance.

Alcoholism is one of the main causes of liver cirrhosis. When drinking large doses of alcohol, the liver begins to work in an enhanced mode and cannot cope with the load, which leads to the destruction of liver tissue.

viral infections, such as hepatitis B and C, can also lead to cirrhosis of the liver. These infections cause inflammation of the liver, which, if not treated promptly, can lead to cirrhosis.

Gallstone disease , which forms stones in the gallbladder, can lead to congestion and eventually cirrhosis of the liver.

The causes of liver cirrhosis also include autoimmune diseases , metabolic disorders , drug abuse , heredity .

In addition to these reasons, there are a number of risk factors, such as obesity , inadequate nutrition , age , male sex and others, which increase the likelihood of developing liver cirrhosis.

Symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver

Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic and irreversible disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue. Symptoms of liver cirrhosis are often not noticeable in the initial stages of the disease, but over time they can worsen and lead to serious complications.

Main symptoms of liver cirrhosis:

• Fatigue. Patients with cirrhosis often complain of constant fatigue and weakness.
• Jaundice. Jaundice is manifested in the yellowness of the skin and mucous membranes, and is also associated with a violation of the function of the liver to cleanse the blood of bilirubin.
• Edema. Edema may occur in the legs, which is associated with fluid retention in the body with cirrhosis of the liver.
• Weight loss. Cirrhosis of the liver can cause loss of appetite and weight loss, which is associated with a violation of the digestive system.
• Decreased platelet count. Low platelets may be associated with risk of bleeding in cirrhosis.
• Abdominal pain. Cirrhosis of the liver may cause pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

If you notice these symptoms in yourself, be sure to consult a doctor and get diagnosed in order to start treatment for cirrhosis in a timely manner.

Methods for diagnosing liver cirrhosis

Ultrasound is the most popular method for diagnosing liver cirrhosis. It uses ultrasonic waves to create an image of an organ.

Liver biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of liver tissue is removed and then examined in a laboratory. It allows you to accurately determine the presence or absence of cirrhosis.

1. KAG test – measures the increase in the blood concentration of a substance that is produced when liver cells are damaged.
2. Bile and duodenal pancreatography are X-ray examinations that allow you to study the internal structure and function of the biliary tract.

Computed tomography is a diagnostic method that creates images of sections of the body in different planes.

Diagnostic method Advantages Disadvantages

Treatment of liver cirrhosis

Principles of treatment

Treatment of liver cirrhosis is aimed at slowing or stopping the progression of the disease, preventing complications and maintaining liver function.

Basic principles for the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver:

• Avoidance of alcohol and other harmful substances. Alcohol and other harmful substances worsen the condition of the liver and can lead to rapid progression of the disease. Patients with cirrhosis of the liver are advised to stop drinking alcohol and nicotine.
• Dieting. An important part of the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver is a diet designed to reduce the load on the liver. Patients are advised to give up fatty, fried and spicy foods, limit the intake of salt, sugar and protein foods.
• The use of medications. There are a number of medications available to slow the progression of the disease and prevent complications. The use of these drugs should be carried out only under the supervision of a physician.
• Surgical treatment. In some cases, cirrhosis of the liver may require surgery. For example, if there are large liver defects, an organ transplant may be needed.

It is important to remember that the treatment of liver cirrhosis requires an integrated approach and should only be carried out under the supervision of medical specialists.

Early cirrhosis treatment

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes are important in the early stages of cirrhosis. First of all, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits and observe the correct daily routine. Reduce alcohol consumption and stop smoking.

For the treatment of liver cirrhosis in the early stages, attention must also be paid to nutrition. It is necessary to increase the consumption of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and dietary fiber. It is also recommended to increase the intake of protein foods.

Drug treatment

Drugs are used to treat liver cirrhosis in the early stages. They help reduce the load on the liver and improve its functioning.

Preparations containing antioxidants and vitamins, such as vitamin E and C, and herbal preparations are often used.

Preparations containing strong antioxidants may be used to improve liver function. They help relieve the symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver and delay the further development of the disease.

Surgery

In the early stages of liver cirrhosis, surgery can be an effective option. Various methods of surgical intervention are used, such as liver transplantation, various types of liver resection, and others.

It is important to understand that surgical treatment can only be effective in the early stages of liver cirrhosis. If the disease is in an advanced stage, surgery may not bring the desired result.

Treatment of advanced liver cirrhosis

Advanced liver cirrhosis is characterized by serious organ damage and the possibility of complications such as internal bleeding, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and others. Treatment at this stage of liver cirrhosis has its own characteristics and often includes various methods.

One of the treatments for advanced liver cirrhosis is liver transplantation. This is an operation in which the patient receives a new organ. Such treatment is the most effective and can help the patient get rid of serious complications of cirrhosis. Recovery after transplantation can take several months and requires strict adherence to the recommendations of doctors.

Other treatments include symptomatic treatment, management of complications, and supportive care. Doctors may prescribe medications to help control symptoms of cirrhosis, such as nausea or pain. Treatment of complications may include surgery if complications such as bleeding or ascites can be corrected surgically.

Supportive care, such as dietary changes, can help keep the liver healthy and improve the patient’s quality of life. Your doctor may recommend limiting your alcohol intake, watching your weight, and eating healthy foods. Patients with cirrhosis of the liver are also advised to check their body frequently with doctors and follow all recommendations to prevent serious complications.

Primary cirrhosis drugs

Immunomodulators: These drugs help protect organs from damage and reduce inflammation. Such immunomodulators include preparations containing interferon, such as Inferon α-2a, Inferon α-2β and Peginterferon.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers: Angiotensin II receptor blockers prevent narrowing of blood vessels by reducing pressure in the portal vein. These drugs are Losartan and Valsartan.

Blood ammonia-lowering drugs: These drugs help lower blood ammonia levels, thus reducing body toxicity. These drugs include Lactulose and Rifaximin.

Liver enhancers: These drugs are designed to speed up the regeneration of liver cells and increase their functionality. These drugs include Ursodeoxycholic acid, Silamarin and Essentiale® forte.

Glucocorticosteroids: Glucocorticosteroids are prescribed to reduce inflammation and painful symptoms of liver cirrhosis. These drugs are Prednisolone and Dexamethasone.

Diuretics: The drugs in this group help reduce swelling and fluid retention in the body. Diuretics can reduce portal venous pressure, improve circulation and respiratory function, and reduce the risk of complications. These drugs include Furosemide and Spironolactone.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are used to treat infections that can occur with long-term cirrhosis of the liver. These drugs include ceftriaxone and metronidazole.

Antiviral drugs: These drugs are used to treat viral infections such as hepatitis C and B virus. These drugs include Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir and Ribavirin.

Depending on the stage of cirrhosis, treatment may include the use of one or more drugs. For effective treatment, you need to contact experienced professionals who will help you choose the most appropriate course of therapy.

Prevention of cirrhosis of the liver

Cirrhosis of the liver is a serious condition that can lead to an increased risk of liver cancer and death. In order to reduce the risk of developing this disease, it is necessary to adhere to a number of preventive measures:

• Refusal of alcohol. Alcoholic liver injury is one of the most common causes of liver cirrhosis. To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to stop drinking alcohol.
• Proper nutrition. A proper diet rich in vitamins and minerals will help strengthen the immune system and protect the liver. It is recommended to limit the intake of fatty and sugary foods, as well as increase the intake of fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Avoid contact with infectious diseases. Infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. To prevent this outcome, it is necessary to avoid contact with potential sources of infection and regularly check for viral diseases.
• Medication control. Some medicines can affect the liver and cause cirrhosis. Therefore, it is necessary to control the intake of medications, especially if the patient already has liver problems.

Following these preventive measures will help reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis and protect the liver from other negative effects.

Expert advice for cirrhosis patients

Proper nutrition: Experts advise patients with liver cirrhosis to watch their diet. They should eat more proteins and vegetables, as well as remove fatty, spicy and salty foods from their diet.

Quitting alcohol: Alcohol is one of the main causes of liver cirrhosis. Patients should completely abstain from alcohol, even in small doses. Non-alcoholic drinks can be used as a substitute.

Watch for symptoms: Cirrhosis of the liver can present with various symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, jaundice, and others. Patients should be closely monitored for symptoms and reported to their doctor.

Regular check-ups: Experts recommend regular check-ups for patients with liver cirrhosis to detect possible complications and monitor the condition of the liver. Examinations may include blood tests, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.

• Support for family and friends: Cirrhosis of the liver can greatly affect the patient’s psychological state. Therefore, it is important that patients receive the support of their relatives and friends.
• Follow your doctor’s advice: Experts remind you that cirrhosis of the liver is a serious disease and should be treated under medical supervision. Patients must strictly follow all doctor’s recommendations and visit the doctor on a regular basis.

Q&A:

What are the treatments for liver cirrhosis?

There are many treatments for cirrhosis of the liver, including drugs, surgery, liver transplantation, lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and more. The choice of method depends on the stage and cause of the disease, as well as other factors. A doctor’s consultation is required to determine the optimal approach to treatment.

Which symptoms of liver cirrhosis should I pay attention to in the first place?

Symptoms of liver cirrhosis can be varied and depend on the stage of the disease. In the early stages of the disease, there may be no obvious symptoms, but as cirrhosis develops, symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, weight loss, morning sickness, jaundice, dropsy, abdominal enlargement, and others may appear. A visit to the doctor and examination are necessary to establish a diagnosis and begin treatment.

What causes can lead to the development of cirrhosis of the liver?

Liver cirrhosis can be caused by a number of factors, including alcohol and drug addiction, viral infections (hepatitis B and C), autoimmune diseases, gallstone disease, metabolic disorders, and others. The risk of the disease can be increased by the presence of certain risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, heredity, etc. Therefore, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and monitor your health.

What is a liver transplant and when is it necessary for cirrhosis?

A liver transplant is an operation to replace a diseased liver from a very sick person with a healthy liver from a donor. This may be necessary for cirrhosis of the liver that does not respond to other treatments or if there are complications. Liver transplantation can be successful if the patient meets certain criteria and a suitable donor is found.

What is involved in lifestyle changes for cirrhosis of the liver?

Lifestyle changes can help manage some of the symptoms and complications of cirrhosis and slow the progression of the disease. It includes avoiding alcohol and tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, increasing physical activity, following a diet that limits fat and cholesterol, regular monitoring of blood components, and others. It is important to discuss with your doctor what changes may be most effective in each individual case.

What medicines are available to treat cirrhosis of the liver?

There are several classes of drugs that can be used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, such as antibiotics, antivirals, immunosuppressive drugs, diuretics, and others. Each specific case requires an individual approach and the appointment of appropriate drugs based on the diagnosis, stage of the disease and other factors. For the correct prescription and use of medicines, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

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Treatment of liver cirrhosis in Germany

Cirrhosis itself generally manifests itself in relatively late symptoms, depending on whether the first symptoms of the underlying liver disease come to the fore. Symptoms of liver cirrhosis as a result of limited liver capacity.

The main diagnostic indicators of the disease are a change in the level of protein in the blood, hormonal balance and the accumulation of toxic substances such as ammonia in the blood, which directly enter the brain and damage it (hepatic encephalopathy), as well as increased pressure in the portal vein. As blood becomes unable to flow through the scar tissue of the liver, reduced blood flow creates collateral circulation, which in turn can lead to life-threatening bleeding in the esophagus. In addition, cirrhosis of the liver itself increases the risk of developing liver cancer.

The most common complaints of cirrhosis include:

• General symptoms: decreased energy, fatigue, weight loss
• Skin disorders: spider veins (spider angiomas), discoloration of the lips and tongue, reddened palms, white nails, veins under the skin of the abdomen (signs of a bypass chain)
• Bleeding, but possibly a tendency to clotting
• Ascites: bloating, possibly with pressure and epigastric pain
• hormonal disorders: loss of libido, formation of male breasts and a bald abdomen (loss of male belly hair), menstrual irregularities in women
• jaundice with yellowing of the skin, conjunctiva and severe itching
• signs of brain disease: disorientation, memory problems, depression or mood swings, inappropriate behavior, in later stages, changes in consciousness (hepatic coma, CNS dysfunction)

In a clinical examination, for example, by palpation or ultrasound in the initial stages, the liver is diagnosed in an enlarged size with accompanying disease processes. With the development of the disease, the liver decreases in size, i.e. becomes becomes small, dense and bumpy.

Diagnosis of cirrhosis in Germany

To confirm the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, the simplest symptomatology of the disease and the visual findings of a physical examination are often sufficient. Laboratory tests, ultrasound and laparoscopy or liver biopsy may be performed to find the cause of the disease, assess the stage of cirrhosis and plan treatment.

Gastroscopy checks whether esophageal varices are already present in the esophagus (esophageal varices).

Treatment of liver cirrhosis in Germany

As a result of the disease, the altered liver tissue can no longer be converted into functional hepatocyte tissue cells. Thus, the main goal of therapy is to reduce the progression of liver cirrhosis. First of all, it is the treatment of the disease itself. Also, be sure to avoid certain substances that lead to further liver damage, especially alcohol and drugs that lead to liver detoxification. A diet adapted to liver cirrhosis is also recommended. In parallel with general therapy, symptoms and complications of liver cirrhosis are treated. First of all, ascites is reduced by drug therapy with drugs or surgically by means of a puncture of the abdominal cavity, and bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus is also done. In some cases, bypass surgery is also performed to artificially bypass the portal vein. This shunt protects against variceal bleeding but increases the risk of hepatic coma. In some cases, liver function can be restored with an organ transplant. But, unfortunately, in a number of cases, which include alcohol dependence, liver transplantation in Germany is not a possible treatment.

Life expectancy in liver cirrhosis depends primarily on the cause of the disease, and secondly, on how much cirrhosis has progressed, and how well its exacerbation can be prevented. If, for example, nothing is done in terms of treatment or the liver is further damaged with alcohol, cirrhosis of the liver with a fatal outcome is predetermined within a few months to several years. The cause of death is bleeding from esophageal varices and then hepatic coma (hepatic syndrome).

Treatment of liver cancer in Germany

Treatment in Germany of liver cancer depends, firstly, on the stage of the tumor, and therefore on its size and location. On the other hand, the age and state of health of the patient play a decisive role in the choice of treatment. For therapy, it is also important to understand the state of the liver, that is, whether the patient has cirrhosis of the liver or not. In principle, there are many different treatment options for liver cancer, which, however, can be combined with each other:

• surgical treatment: partial liver removal or liver transplantation
• local topical therapies: these range from removal of the tumor by heat treatment or radiotherapy with contrast agent injection to internal liver irradiation
• drug therapy: chemotherapy or treatment with sorafenib
• palliative care: in this form of therapy, the focus is no longer on the treatment of liver cirrhosis, but on improving the quality of life.

Treatment of liver cancer: surgery

Surgery is currently the most successful treatment option for liver cancer. The success rate for treating liver cancer with surgery largely depends on the number of tumors in the liver, their location, and their size. A decisive factor in the success of surgery is also whether the liver tissue is healthy or whether the patient already has advanced cirrhosis. Among other things, the patient’s state of health must allow the operation to be performed. Of course, small tumors can usually be most successfully removed surgically. In addition to the tumor itself, the surgeon also removes healthy tissue in order to reduce the spread of cancer cells that may remain in the body. It is important to understand that with partial removal of the liver, an organ will remain in the body that can provide sufficient functionality to the human body. For patients with cirrhosis, a liver transplant is a better solution than partial liver removal. Since part of the affected organ is removed, it is possible that the remaining liver tissue will not be sufficient to completely detoxify the body and there is a risk of liver failure.

In order for a liver transplant to be performed, the patient must be in good general condition. Some concomitant diseases may cause an exception for such an operation. In contrast to the partial removal of the liver, the patient has a need for a long time to take special drugs that prevent rejection of the donor organ.

Treatment of liver cancer: topical treatments

The goal of topical therapy is to slow down the progression of the disease in order to prolong the life of the patient and relieve associated symptoms. Local treatments are used when liver cancer surgery is not possible. In addition, local techniques are also used to reduce the waiting time before an organ transplant.

The essence of the method of local therapy – sclerotherapy consists in injecting highly concentrated alcohol through the skin directly into the liver tumor. For small tumors, this method is effective, as it allows you to destroy the tumor and, thus, leads to a cure for the disease. Along with the described method, there is another method – radiofrequency ablation (heat treatment) tumor cells are heated with a laser or high-frequency vibrations, and then removed from the body naturally. It may take several sessions to completely destroy the tumor.

The next method is trans-arterial chemoembolization. This minimally invasive method of non-surgical treatment of liver cancer consists in eliminating blood flow to the tumor by embolization (blockage) of the blood vessel that feeds it by injecting cytotoxin into the branches of the hepatic artery. As a rule, such vessels are the hepatic artery and its branches. In the absence of recharge, the tumor decreases in size. Small particles introduced through a catheter, metal coils, and even removable silicone balloons can be used to embolize a vessel for therapeutic purposes. Embolization can be combined with local chemotherapy, and this combined treatment is called chemoembolization. This method is easy to use, so it can be applied before surgery. In contrast agent therapy, a drug (lipiodol) is injected into the human body and rapidly accumulates in the patient’s liver. The reagent charged with radioactive particles accumulates in the tumor and kills the cells.

A relatively new method is selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), which allows the treatment of liver cancer, even at the level of liver metastases, through a new technology for delivering radiation directly to the tumor tissue. The essence of SIRT therapy is to introduce microscopic particles containing Yttrium-90 into the hepatic artery, which penetrate into the tumor tissue. These radioactive particles emit high-level targeted (directional) radiation, which leads to the destruction of the tumor, while maintaining the integrity of the healthy liver tissue around it. Because the radiation has a range of only one centimeter, healthy tissue is not affected by the radiation.

Treatment of liver cancer: drug therapy

Chemotherapy is rarely used in liver cancer in Germany . In general, this type of therapy is carried out if the liver is already metastasized or when no other therapy is expected to be possible. Unlike previously described types of local therapy, chemotherapy has an effect on the entire body of the patient. The drugs used in chemotherapy – the so-called cytostatics – have their effect primarily on cancer cells. However, other rapidly dividing cells, such as hair follicles and roots and mucosal cells, are also highly affected by chemotherapy. The drugs are administered to the patient for several days, then, with the help of the same chemotherapy, a restorative complex is necessarily carried out, after which another course of chemotherapy follows. It should be noted that chemotherapy is only possible if the liver is working normally. Otherwise, this method of treatment is categorically contraindicated.

In addition to chemotherapy, or if surgical resection (hepatectomy) or liver transplant is not possible, immunotherapy is given. Sorafenib is one of the first drugs used for liver cancer. Sorafenib and similar drugs affect the growth factors of liver tumor tissues, slowing down their development, and also impede their blood supply. The drug is taken in the form of tablets twice a day. Side effects of sorafenib include nausea, vomiting, mouth ulcers, and loss of appetite. The drug may also cause high blood pressure. In most cases, sorafenib is used to increase life expectancy in an already advanced form of cancer.

Treatment of liver cancer: palliative therapy

If treatment of advanced liver cancer is no longer possible, palliative therapy may be attempted to keep patients’ quality of life close to that of a healthy person. Palliative care focuses on reducing pain and other symptoms caused by the tumor.

Liver cancer: rehabilitation is important

Liver cancer and its treatment lead to structural changes in the patient’s physical and emotional state. Rehabilitation after liver cancer helps to cope with a number of complications, side effects and pain caused by this disease and its treatment.