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Cirrhosis Treatment

A few of the factors that a healthcare provider will consider before recommending treatment for cirrhosis include a person's symptoms, the cause of his or her cirrhosis, and other cirrhosis treatments that he or she has tried. Some specific cirrhosis treatments include lifestyle changes (such as getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B and avoiding alcohol), medications (like corticosteroids), and a liver transplant. Liver transplantation may be used when cirrhosis complications cannot be controlled or when the liver becomes so damaged from scarring that it completely stops functioning.

 

An Overview of Cirrhosis Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with cirrhosis, the bad news is that liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed. The good news is that oftentimes, with treatment, the liver damage can be slowed down or even stopped completely. Treatment can also reduce the chances of cirrhosis complications.
 
Before recommending treatment for your particular situation, your healthcare provider will consider:
 
  • Your symptoms
  • The cause of cirrhosis
  • Any complications you may be experiencing
  • Other cirrhosis treatments you have tried.
     
Depending on these factors, your healthcare provider may recommend any of the following treatments for cirrhosis:
 
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Medications
  • A liver transplant.
     
Receiving early diagnosis and carefully following an appropriate treatment plan can help many people with cirrhosis of the liver. In very advanced liver cirrhosis, however, certain treatments may not be possible. In these cases, your doctors will work with you to prevent or manage the complications that cirrhosis can cause.
 
(Cirrhosis Treatment Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD