What Is the Treatment for Cirrhosis of the Liver?
Although there is no cure for cirrhosis of the liver, there are treatments available that can stop or delay its progress, minimize the damage to liver cells and reduce complications. The treatment used depends on the cause of cirrhosis of the liver. • For cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse, the person must stop drinking alcohol to halt the progression of cirrhosis. • If a person has hepatitis, the doctor may prescribe steroids or antiviral drugs to reduce liver cell injury. • For people with cirrhosis caused by autoimmune diseases, Wilson’s disease, or hemochromatosis, the treatment varies. Medications may be given to control the symptoms of cirrhosis. Edema (fluid retention) and ascites (fluid in the abdomen) are treated, in part, by reducing salt in the diet. Drugs called diuretics are used to remove excess fluid and to prevent edema from recurring. Diet and drug therapies can help improve the altered mental function that cirrhosis can cause. Laxatives such as lactulose may be given t
