The Comprehensive Guide to Cirrhosis of the Liver

Did you know that the largest internal organ you've got inside of you is your liver? It's roughly the size of a football and can weigh up to three pounds in all. It's responsible for getting rid of plenty of nasty toxins from your body, which is why it's really important to take care of it. One major complication that can occur in the liver is cirrhosis. While it currently has no known cure, there are plenty of natural and clinical procedures that can limit the risk of liver failure and additional complications. Keep reading to find out all about them.

What Is Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is a progressive disease where scar tissue is developed in the liver. It results in a dysfunction which ends up impacting essential function like hormone levels, the digestion of essential nutrients, blood flow, and the removal of waste products from the body. 

 

Alcohol abuse, certain viruses (such as hepatitis), and having a history of fatty liver disease are the most common causes of cirrhosis. Other risk factors include genetics, poor dietary choices, and dangerously high levels of bad cholesterol. 

 

Cirrhosis caused the liver to deteriorate over time, and once it reaches its more advanced stages liver failure or liver cancer might develop. At such a stage, a liver transplant is usually the only option left, which is why it's important to act as quickly as possible and take proper care of your liver throughout your life. 

 

What Are the Symptoms of Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is typically accompanied by quite a number of symptoms including: 

• Appetite loss 

• Lack of energy 

• Symptoms of jaundice 

• Swollen ankles or legs 

• Itchy skin 

• Dark-colored urine 

• Pale or tar-colored stool 

• Bruising easily 

• Unexplained weight changes 

• Chronic fatigue syndrome 

• Digestive issues, such as vomiting, nausea, cramps or abdominal pain 

• Cognitive issues such as disorientation, mood swings, confusion or personality changes

Liver Cirrhosis Complications

Cirrhosis goes through a number of stages before entering the advanced and final stage. Early on, sufferers may experience symptoms like skin changes, decreased levels of energy, nutrient deficiencies, and swelling. As the disease progresses, many of the other symptoms mentioned above will start to manifest themselves. Once cirrhosis enters an advanced stage, some of these complications may arise: 

 • Bile duct stones 

• Gallstones 

• Type 2 diabetes 

• Insulin resistance

• A weakened immune system 

• An increased risk of lung and kidney failure 

• Sensitivity to certain drugs 

• A greatly increased risk of liver cancer 

• Metabolic bone diseases 

• Hepatic encephalopathy 

• Various issues with the spleen 

• Varices 

• Ascites 

• Edema 

• Portal hypertension  

 

What Causes Cirrhosis?

There are various factors that can lead to the development of cirrhosis, which can stem from both your own lifestyle and habits, as well as from external and environmental factors. The most common risk factors for cirrhosis of the liver include: 

• Drinking too much alcohol 

• Smoking 

• Drug abuse 

• Consuming a poor diet 

• Having a history of fatty liver disease, diabetes or metabolic syndrome 

• Being obese 

• High triglyceride levels 

• High levels of bad cholesterol 

• Genetic factors 

• Constant exposure to toxins or pollutants 

• Serious infections or viruses

Treating Cirrhosis Conventionally

Conventional treatment for cirrhosis will ultimately depend on what initially caused it, as well as how far the disease has progressed. Doctors will typically combine a number of different treatments including both drugs and major lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, there is no textbook cure for this disease, yet these techniques have been found to be the most effective: • Eliminating processed food from your diet • Reducing your salt intake • Increasing your nutrient intake • Eliminating drug and alcohol intake • Using diuretics to control ascites and edema • Controlling cholesterol levels • Losing weight • Cognitive therapy 

• Using laxatives to improve elimination of toxins 

• Using steroids and antiviral medication if the cause is hepatitis 

• Getting a liver transplant in the most severe cases 

 

Dealing With Cirrhosis Naturally 

 

1. Cleansing the Liver Regularly

To cleanse your liver, try to eat as much as you can of the following: • citrus fruits • ginger • dark green leafy vegetables • vegetable juices • raw or steamed vegetables • bananas, avocados, and sweet potatoes • turmeric • milk thistle seeds • Spirulina, chlorella, and wheatgrass • burdock root • dandelion root tea • black seed oil • probiotics • lemon juice • coconut oil • extra virgin olive oil • beef liver and other organ meats • raw apple cider vinegar Make sure to avoid these foods at all times if suffering from cirrhosis: • fried food • processed food • very spicy food • sugar • refined carbohydrates, especially those containing gluten 

• alcohol 

• excessive amounts of caffeine 

• rich and complex dishes

 

2. Consume an Anti-Inflammatory and Organic Diet

The key to maintaining a healthy and functioning liver is to consume plenty of organic vegetables with most meals. Ideally, you should aim to consume around 4 or 5 servings of fresh, organic vegetables each day. If this seems like too much, then you might want to consider juicing them instead. 

 

In order to put the least amount of strain on your liver as possible, you should limit the saturated fats you eat to only high-quality cage-free, free-range or grass-fed animal products. This is because animals bred in captivity have been found to store a lot more toxins in their fat than is desirable. As a general rule, the less foods that come out of packaging, the safer your liver should be. 

 

Here are some of the best liver-supporting vegetables you can eat: 

 • broccoli 

• cauliflower 

• celery 

• cabbage 

• Brussels sprouts 

• kale 

• spinach 

• dandelion 

• watercress 

• asparagus 

• cucumber 

• beetroot 

• carrot 

• herbs, such as basil, mint, parsley, and cilantro  

 

3. Use Natural SupplementsCirrhosis guide

Plenty of supplements can help produce proper enzymes and bile, reduce intestinal gas, lower inflammation, and sooth the digestive system. Here are some of the most powerful ones: 

 

• Turmeric - this potent anti-inflammatory spice will support your liver's metabolism by providing you with a decent blood-sugar balance. It can also help aid your digestive tract. 

 

• Milk thistle - it helps to get rid of a buildup of alcohol, pollutants, and heavy metals. 

 

• Probiotics - these can help boost your liver health by assisting with its detoxification and metabolism. 

 

• Multivitamins - vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B-6 are particularly the most essential when it comes to protecting the liver. 

 

• Potassium - This mineral is extremely beneficial since it lowers your cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and systolic blood pressure.

4. Check the Medication You're Taking

Quite a significant number of prescription medications can end up damaging your liver as an unwanted side effect. The worst offenders have been found to be hormone replacement drugs and birth control pills, however many other drugs can also put quite a lot of unnecessary strain on your liver, too. 

 

Unfortunately, research has shown that a large number of prescription medications are being over-prescribed, are being mixed with other drugs in a dangerous way, or are taken in an incorrect manner. If you are on medication, then we'd recommend learning how they can adversely affect your liver, and to carefully follow dosage instructions when taking them. It would also be a good idea to ask a healthcare professional if there are any natural remedies that they can be replaced with.

Precautions to Take When Treating Cirrhosis

If you spot any warning signs of liver damage, make sure to get in touch with a doctor as soon as possible, since stopping liver damage before the disease advances will greatly improve your quality of life and chances of survival. Of course, it's good to keep in mind that once symptoms begin to appear, it is likely that the condition has already been present for some time, which is all the more reason to get yourself checked immediately.