Advanced stage of liver cirrhosis disorder

My dad has cirrhosis and has lost feeling in his legs and can barely walk, I'm wondering if him time is getting close and if I should be with him
(October 27, 2010)

Advanced liver cirrhosis

Cirrhosis refers to scarring that takes place in the liver as a result of chronic liver disease. The healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue and liver functioning is adversely affected. Cirrhosis usually results due to alcoholism, fatty liver disease, or hepatitis B and C. However, there could be other causes as well. Some cases of liver cirrhosis may even be idiopathic, which means that there is no known cause for the condition.


Advanced liver cirrhosis is a very serious medical condition and cannot be ignored.

The scar tissue that forms in the liver as a consequence of cirrhosis cannot perform the normal function of the liver and so it cannot fight infection, create proteins, cleanse the blood, store energy, and help in digestion. In addition, it leads to obstruction of the normal blood flow through the liver. If there is excessive scar tissue, the liver is unable to function properly.

Advanced liver cirrhosis has the potential of becoming a life-threatening illness. However, liver cirrhosis can also be controlled if early treatment is administered. There can be several causes of liver cirrhosis. These include alcohol abuse, hepatitis B, C or D, blockage of the bile ducts, toxins, infections, autoimmune hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and inherited diseases such as Wilson disease and hemochromatosis. The individual may not experience any symptoms in the early stages of cirrhosis of the liver. As the disease progresses there may symptoms such as weakness, tiredness, appetite loss and weight loss. In cases of advanced liver cirrhosis, the liver starts to shrink as more and more scar tissue starts replacing normal liver tissue.  In the final stages of liver cirrhosis, the flow of blood through the liver is severely restricted and the portal vein pressure increases. This causes the blood to flow into the smaller veins. In cases of advanced liver cirrhosis these veins may also burst due to excess pressure, thereby causing internal bleeding. Once the liver is unable to assist in detoxification of the body, problems in concentrations may occur. The blood toxicity may also alter cognitive function and result in coma.

Treatment for advanced liver cirrhosis involves administration of diuretics to reduce swelling, blood pressure medications to alleviate portal vein hypertension and medications to counteract the effect of toxins in the body. An individual’s life expectancy with liver cirrhosis is shorter than the average life expectancy. Liver cirrhosis is an irreversible condition, but appropriate measures such as abstinence from alcohol can have a positive effect on the prognosis. The right course of treatment can also slow down progression of the condition. In the final stages, liver failure is likely to occur and in such cases, life can only be sustained through a transplant.

Cirrhosis is an advanced stage of liver disorder and it occurs after hepatic fibrosis. The stage cannot be restored and at times the only alternative stays to be liver transplantation. That again depends on the stage of cirrhosis your father is into and physical examination helps to diagnose it. If it is chronic liver malfunctioning and is diagnosed at early stages it can be cured with extra care and effort.

On the diet front, only thoroughly cooked food rich in vitamins and nutrients should be given to the patient. Alcohol is the chief cause of cirrhosis and we don't know if your father has been alcoholic all his life. Patients with the history of acquiring cirrhosis due to consumption of alcohol have less chances of survival.

Protein helps in general repair of the body to make up for the losses due to wear and tear in the body. Protein should be taken from normal vegetarian sources like beans and cooked pulses and not from meat as it has additional fats which are harmful to the body. Individuals with cirrhosis take long time to digest fats as the liver doesn't work well and the fats get deposited in the inner linings of the liver so it cannot function well. Liver produces bile juice which helps in the digestion of the food. Malfunctioning of the liver doesn't generate the bile in proper amount and digestion is affected.

Fat absorption by the body becomes difficult with cirrhosis. Cirrhosis makes the body lazy and lethargic and also leads to several vitamin deficiencies in the body. So, vitamins should be taken in soluble form to make up for the losses in the body. Salt intake should be reduced in the daily diet as sodium is not recommended for Cirrhosis patients.

Your father has lost sensation in the legs due to weakness in the body makes him exhausted. Patients should eat food rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, E and D. Herbs like turmeric which support and provide energy and immunity to the body should be included as a part of our daily diet.

Leg exercises can also work wonders in the treatment of cirrhosis when it affects certain body organs. Staying active keeps one in good mood and the mind stays free from mental sickness caused due to physical impairment. Regular leg movements while lying on the bed keeps one in good spirit and helps to recover from the trauma fast enough.

Indeed, you should devote time with your father but people generally recover from cirrhosis if it is diagnosed in the initial stages. They recover successfully with liver transplantation. Proper and timely care along with sufficient amount of nutrients helps them recover from the ailment.