Cirrhosis

What is cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is when the liver has too much scar tissue. Liver damage creates scar tissue. Scar tissue stops the liver to function normally. Infection or consistent alcohol cause liver damage.

What are possible causes?
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
What are some symptoms?
Early symptoms
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Nausea
  • Fever
Later symptoms
  • Skin or whites of eyes turn yellow (jaundice)
  • Confusion, difficulty thinking, memory loss
  • Swelling in the legs, feet and ankles
  • Fluid buildup in the belly (ascites)
  • Brownish or orange color urine
  • Easy bruising and bleeding
  • Blood in poop
What to do?
  • Limit salt
  • Eat 4-6 smaller, and more frequent meals
  • Choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein
  • Avoid raw and undercooked meat
  • Avoid unwashed fruits and vegetables
  • May need nutritional supplements
  • May need a multivitamin supplement
  • Consult a doctor or dietitian before making big changes
  1. Cirrhosis of the Liver. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15572-cirrhosis-of-the-liver. Updated November 1, 2020. Accessed December 4, 2020.
  2. Cirrhosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis. Accessed December 4, 2020.
  3. Cirrhosis: Nutrition Guide for Clinicians. PCRM's Nutrition Guide for Clinicians. https://nutritionguide.pcrm.org/nutritionguide/view/Nutrition_Guide_for_Clinicians/1342050/all/Cirrhosis. Accessed January 20, 2021.
  4. McClain CJ. Nutrition in Patients With Cirrhosis. Gastroenterology & hepatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5114497/#:~:text=Cirrhotic%20patients%20are%20almost%20always,intake%20to%20prevent%20muscle%20wasting. Published August 2016. Accessed January 19, 2021.
  5. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nutrition Care Manual. http://www.nutritioncaremanual.org. Accessed December 12, 2020.