What Are the Treatments for Chronic Liver Disease?

Chronic liver disease, marked by the gradual destruction of liver tissue, is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. The main diseases referred to within this category are hepatitis, cirrhosis and fibrosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is caused by the irreversible development of scar tissue that causes the liver to harden. The hardening prevents the liver from functioning properly due to restricted blood flow. Left untreated, liver fibrosis, the continued growth of scar tissue and hepatitis usually lead to the development of cirrhosis. Treatment options are dependent upon the severity of the individual condition.

Diet

• A healthy, well-balanced diet focused on liver health is essential for those suffering from chronic liver disease. Patients are advised to restrict sodium and protein intake as these are difficult to digest properly and increase the liver's workload. Drink at least eight glasses of healthy fluids each day, preferably water, to flush the system and prevent the buildup of toxins. Avoid over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to prevent the worsening of liver function. Restrict alcohol intake to avoid further liver damage.

Bed Rest

• Chronic liver disease patients will require additional bed rest as part of their course of treatment, especially during acute stages of the illness. Additional rest has been found to improve immediate symptoms and improve liver function, while physical activity aggravates symptoms and increases liver swelling.

Medication

• Medications provided during the course of treatment for chronic liver disease are dependent on the patient's age, general health and underlying conditions. Patients with an underlying cause of hepatitis are frequently prescribed Interferon to fight the virus and reduce its symptoms. Cirrhosis patients are prescribed antibiotics for infection, steroids for inflammation, diuretics to reduce fluid buildup and beta-blockers to minimize the swelling in blood vessels as well as the risk of hemorrhaging.

Lactulose

• Deterioration of brain function is often noticeable in more advanced stages of liver disease due to toxic buildup in the blood. Lactulose, a synthetic sugar compound that acts as a laxative, is provided to flush out toxin buildup by lessen the amount of time available for protein to metabolize into ammonia while in the liver. Lactulose also removes blood from the intestines. Additional intravenous medications, as well as surgery, are occasionally necessary to stop bleeding or remove blood if lactulose is not proving a sufficient method of doing so.

Liver Transplant

• Once chronic liver disease has progressed to end-stage chronic liver failure, a final treatment option is a liver transplant. Unfortunately, this scenario is not a plausible solution for all patients suffering from chronic liver disease. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis to determine the patient's ability to undergo the transplant process.