Patient's question:
My uncle has early-stage liver cirrhosis. Currently, he feels exhausted all over, with a significant decline in physical strength. His face is covered with hyperpigmentation. The abdominal pain, apart from constipation, prevents him from doing any strenuous work, which becomes even more pronounced after exertion. After being diagnosed by the hospital, it was confirmed to be liver cirrhosis.Doctor's answer:
Dietary considerations for cirrhosis: A high-protein diet that provides sufficient protein can restore positive nitrogen balance, eliminate fat infiltration in liver cells, and stabilize liver function as cells continuously increase in protein. The catabolic supply for cirrhosis patients is the same as that for normal individuals, so the central issue in nutritional treatment is maintaining a positive nitrogen balance. A long-term high-protein diet can reverse the compressed state in some patients, while a low-protein diet reduces the concentration of essential amino acids, including branched-chain amino acids, in the plasma, leading to weight loss and a negative nitrogen balance. In addition to treating cirrhosis, it is recommended that patients pay attention to their diet in daily life and maintain a cheerful mood at all times to enhance their physical condition and slow down the recovery process.