How can I prevent my liver from getting worse from cirrhosis?
The liver damage caused by cirrhosis generally can't be undone. But if liver cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the underlying cause is treated, further damage can be limited. In rare cases, it may be reversed.
The liver damage caused by cirrhosis generally can't be undone. But if liver cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the underlying cause is treated, further damage can be limited. In rare cases, it may be reversed.
There's currently no cure for cirrhosis. However, it's possible to manage the symptoms and any complications, and slow its progression. Treating underlying conditions that may be the cause, such as using anti-viral medication to treat a hepatitis C infection, can also stop cirrhosis getting worse.
People with a medical condition, especially those affecting the liver, may have a higher risk of damage from alcohol. If you already have hepatitis B or C, or cirrhosis of the liver (from any cause), you are at risk of making your condition worse if you drink alcohol.
There are instances when damage to the liver can be slowed although complete reversal generally does not happen. For example, if a patient has cirrhosis due to alcohol use, we know that completely abstaining from alcohol can improve the function of the liver. Similarly, weight loss can help improve fatty liver disease.
Patients with compensated cirrhosis have a median survival that may extend beyond 12 years. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis have a worse prognosis than do those with compensated cirrhosis; the average survival without transplantation is approximately two years [13,14].
Many people with cirrhosis can feel quite well and live for many years without needing a liver transplant. This is because the liver can function relatively well even when it is quite severely damaged. Cirrhosis is classified as compensated or decompensated.
People with cirrhosis in Class A have the best prognosis, with a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. People with cirrhosis in Class B are still healthy, with a life expectancy of 6 to 10 years. As a result, these people have plenty of time to seek sophisticated therapy alternatives such as a liver transplant.
It takes upwards of ten years for alcohol-related liver disease to progress from fatty liver through fibrosis to cirrhosis to acute on chronic liver failure. This process is silent and symptom free and can easily be missed in primary care, usually presenting with advanced cirrhosis.
When on a liver cirrhosis diet, eat plenty of nutrient-dense, minimally processed ingredients like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Meanwhile, limit alcohol, processed foods, and ingredients high in sodium and unhealthy fats.
What foods are good for liver repair?
Foods that support liver health include berries, cruciferous vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and fatty fish. Coffee and green tea contain antioxidants that are helpful for liver health.
Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis[7]. It is also the most common complication that leads to hospital admission[29]. Approximately 15% of the patients with ascites will die in one year and 44% will die in five years[6].

For these reasons, eating a healthy diet is an important part of treatment for cirrhosis. You should be eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Your doctor may also talk with you about proper protein balance, and limiting your fluid and salt intake.
Myth: I might have cirrhosis, but the liver will regenerate and heal itself naturally. Fact: The liver is a highly regenerative organ but only if it's still healthy enough to do so and doesn't have extensive scar tissue. Once cirrhosis is present, your liver's regeneration becomes very limited.
Someone may experience symptoms such as yellow skin and eyes, confusion, swelling, and general or localized pain. The symptoms of end-stage liver disease typically worsen as the patient becomes closer to death.
The liver has a unique capacity among organs to regenerate itself after damage. A liver can regrow to a normal size even after up to 90% of it has been removed.
Definition & Facts. Cirrhosis is a condition in which your liver is scarred and permanently damaged. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue and prevents your liver from working normally.
People with cirrhosis in Class A have the best prognosis, with a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. People with cirrhosis in Class B are still healthy, with a life expectancy of 6 to 10 years. As a result, these people have plenty of time to seek sophisticated therapy alternatives such as a liver transplant.
You should notice your general health and well-being improving when your liver starts to heal. For example, you may notice clearer thinking, more energy, improved appetite, and less pain.
Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver's cells. Alcohol-related cirrhosis usually develops after 10 or more years of heavy drinking. Women who drink heavily are more likely to get liver damage than men, partly because of their different size and build.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017060/
- https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/living-with-a-liver-condition/liver-conditions/cirrhosis/
- https://healthmatch.io/liver-disease/end-stage-liver-disease
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351487
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cirrhosis-of-the-liver
- https://www.medicinenet.com/how_long_can_you_live_with_cirrhosis/article.htm
- https://www.uptodate.com/contents/palliative-care-for-patients-with-end-stage-liver-disease/print
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351492
- https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/cirrhosis
- https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/cirrhosis
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/liver-cirrhosis-diet
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4953739/
- https://www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/medicine/33/000037.htm
- https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/cells-maintain-repair-liver-identified
- https://healthmatch.io/liver-disease/signs-your-liver-is-healing
- https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/gastrointestinal-articles/things-you-thought-you-knew-about-cirrhosis
- https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/foods-good-for-liver