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Cirrhosis of Liver

Cirrhosis of liver refers to all forms of liver disease characterised by a significant loss of cells. It is one of the most serious hepatic diseases. The liver gradually contracts in size and becomes hard and leathery.

What is Liver

The liver is one of the most important glandular organs in the body. It is located high up on the right side of the abdomen just under the diaphragm. It is a vast chemical laboratory which performs many important functions.

It produces bile, cholesterol, lecithin, blood albumin which is vital to the removal of tissue wastes, prothrombin necessary for the clotting of blood and numerous enzymes.

It inactivates hormones no longer needed, synthesises many amino acids used in building tissues and breaks proteins into sugar and fat when required for energy. It stores vitamins and minerals.

It also destroys harmful substances and detoxifies drugs, poisons, chemicals and toxins from bacterial infections. Liver damage interferes with all of these functions.

cirrhosis of liver

What is Cirrhosis of Liver

In cirrhosis of the liver, although regenerative activity continues, the loss of liver cells exceeds cell replacement. There is also distortion of the vascular system which interferes with the portal blood flow through, the liver.

The progressive degeneration of liver structure and function may ultimately lead to hepatic failure and death. The most common of several form of cirrhosis is portal cirrhosis, also known as Laennoc’s cirrhosis.

Symptoms: Cirrhosis of Liver

1)  In the early stages of the disease, there may be nothing more than frequent attacks of gas and indigestion, with occasional nausea and vomiting.

2)  There may be some abdominal pain and loss of weight. In the advanced stage, the patient develops a low grade fever.

3)  He has a foul breath, jaundiced skin and distended veins in the abdomen. Reddish hairlike markings, resembling small spiders, may appear on the face, neck, arms and trunk. 

4)  The abdomen becomes bloated and swollen, the mind gets clouded and there may be considerable bleeding from the stomach.

cirrhosis of liver

Causes: Cirrhosis of Liver

1)  Excessive use of alcohol over a long period is the most potent cause of cirrhosis of the liver.

2)  It has been estimated that 1 out of 12 chronic alcoholics in the United States develops cirrhosis.

3)  The disease can progress to the end- stage of hepatic failure, if the person does not abstain from alcohol.

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4)  Cirrhosis appears to be related to the duration of alcohol intake and the quantity consumed daily.

5)  Poor nutrition can be another causative factor in the development of cirrhosis and a chronic alcoholic usually suffers from severe malnutrition.

6)  Other causes of cirrhosis are excessive intake of highly seasoned food, habitual taking of quinine for a prolonged period in tropical climate and drug treatments for syphilis, fever and other diseases.

7)  It may also result from a highly toxic condition of the system in general. In fact, anything which continually overburdens the liver cells and leads to their final breakdown can be a contributing cause of cirrhosis.

cirrhosis of liver

Treatment: Cirrhosis of Liver

1)  The patient should be kept in bed. He must abstain completely from alcohol in any form.

2)  Take Freshly-extracted juices from red beets, lemon, papaya and grapes may be taken during this period.

3)  The patient should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits and milk.

Eat Fruits in Cirrhosis of Liver

The fruits may include apples, pears, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, pineapples and peaches. 

Patient Diet in Cirrhosis of Liver

After the fruit and milk diet, the patient may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely, seeds, nuts and grains vegetables and fruits.

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The best complete proteins for liver patients are obtained from raw goat’s milk, home-made raw cottage cheese, sprouted seeds and grains and raw nuts, especially almonds.

Eat Vegetables in Cirrhosis of Liver

Vegetables such as beets, squashes, bitter gourds, egg-plants, tomatoes, carrots, radishes and papayas are useful in this condition.

Foods Avoid in Cirrhosis of Liver

1)  All fats and oils should be excluded from the diet for several weeks.

2)  The patient should avoid all refined, processed and canned foods, sugar in any form, spices and condiments, strong tea and coffee, fried foods. 

3)  All preparations cooked in ghee, oil or butter and all meats rich in fat should be avoid.

4)  The use of salt should be restricted.

5)  The patient should also avoid all chemical additives in food and poisons in air, water and environment as far as possible.

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Important Note :-

“The information provide in this website is for only knowledge purpose, not for treatment of any disease. After read this article please contact and confirm by our doctor”.

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