Bilirubin is a brownish-yellow substance that is a by-product of the liver process produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. Generally, the normal bilirubin level in the human body is between 0.3 and 1.2 mg/dl. If the bilirubin level is higher than expected, the liver is not functioning properly. Such a condition is called hyperbilirubinemia. One of the clinical manifestations of higher bilirubin levels in liver cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease that causes nodules and scarring all over the organ. The scarring is produced due to the constant repair of the liver tissue. The repair process is activated when healthy liver cells and tissues are damaged and inflamed. The damage to the liver can’t be undone; however, with proper diagnosis and cirrhosis of the liver treatment, further disease progression can be managed. One must be aware of cirrhosis signs and symptoms to get checked in time and avoid more significant damage to the organ. Some of the common signs of the disease are as follows-
Common symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Cirrhosis does not show any signs or symptoms until after an extensively damaged liver. Some of the symptoms include-
- Edema (swelling in feet and ankles)
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Itchy skin
- The appearance of spider-like blood veins on your skin.
- Slight pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.
Cirrhosis of the liver treatment management
A healthy diet can positively impact your liver functions that can help in preventing cirrhosis. It allows your liver to work efficiently while also removing toxins from the body. According to the US Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate, certain foods and drinks help boost liver health and reduce the symptoms helping with the cirrhosis of the liver treatment. Some of them include-
Water
It has been shown that staying hydrated has dramatically reduced the bilirubin levels in the body by flushing out the toxins. It is a great way to increase the body’s metabolism, which helps keep your weight in check as obesity is also another cause of liver cirrhosis.
Coffee or herbal tea
Regulated consumption of coffee or herbal tea has proven beneficial to our body as it contains lots of antioxidants that help clear out the toxins. It has been reported in a recent study that consuming three cups of coffee a day can have significant positive effects on liver health.
Fiber
Fibers are a great way to reduce the intake of calories in your body. Reduced calorie intake is beneficial in regulating body weight and thereby has a lower chance of getting any liver disease. In addition, consuming fiber is something that doctors recommend as cirrhosis of the liver treatment diet.
Fruits and vegetables
According to USDA guidelines, it is recommended to consume 21/2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits each day for healthy living. This is because fruits and vegetables are a great way to add digestive enzymes to your gut that help in reducing bilirubin levels. Some examples include grapes, mango, Brussel sprouts, avocado, etc.
Milk thistle
Research shows milk thistle has liver-protective properties and can promote liver cell regeneration along with helping in liver treatment. Milk thistle or silymarin is a compound of therapeutic value extracted from Silybum marianum seeds. It has been used for 2000 years to treat bile duct and liver diseases. Studies on milk thistle also report that it may have liver-protective properties due to cell regeneration properties.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a potent antioxidant that helps in improving liver function while also reducing fatigue and inflammation. Both of which are the symptoms of liver cirrhosis. It has been shown in clinical studies that levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) which is a marker for liver damage were significantly reduced in patients with liver disease.
When following cirrhosis of the liver treatment diet, some foods are encouraged to eat while others are not. Here is a table enlisting both types of foods-
Compliant food | Non-compliant food |
Fruits and vegetables | Packaged food |
Low-fat cheese yogurt | Red-meat |
Cooked fish | Buttermilk |
Oats | Refined white flour, pasta |
Brown rice | Trans fat oils |
Garlic | Full-fat dairy products |
Ginger | confectionary |
Healthy practices for a healthy liver
With hundreds of functions, your liver is one of the most vital organs in your body. It aids in the breakdown of lipids, removing toxins and other dangerous compounds from the blood, and the battle against infections. In addition, your liver can mend and even regrow. However, there is a point at which it will no longer repair itself, which is why it is imperative to take care of your liver and prevent it from getting cirrhosis. These are some steps by which one can keep the liver health good by including cirrhosis of the liver treatment diet in their meal.
Managing a healthy weight.
Obesity causes liver health damage as well as heart damage. Consuming fewer calories, minimizing sugar foods, and replacing processed food with natural food can help reduce weight. Additionally, regular exercise also helps in this process.
Limiting Alcohol amount
Alcohol is one of the worst enemies of the liver, and it treats alcohol as a toxic compound. Therefore, too much of it can severely damage the liver’s capacity to break down the compounds leading to fibrosis and requiring cirrhosis of the liver treatment.
Take note of the number of medications you are taking.
Research has proven that OTC or over-the-counter drugs can cause significant liver damage if taken for a prolonged period. Some examples of such drugs include Tylenol, ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.
The liver is one of the vital organs of the human body that carries out major functions, including excreting toxins from the body. Although cirrhosis can be cured, advanced cirrhosis is a disease that is considered life-threatening. However, with the help of proper management techniques, cirrhosis of the liver treatment can be avoided by eating a healthy diet, maintaining body weight, keeping a check on the consumption of toxins such as alcohol and OTC drugs. Therefore, one can keep their liver strong and healthy by checking these points.