Patient's question:
My father has had liver disease for a long time, but, he hasn't shown any symptoms, so he hasn't been treated for it. However, now my father says he's experiencing some discomfort in his liver area, and his abdomen is also swollen and painful. When he went to the hospital, they found out it was liver cirrhosis. What should we do? He's very anxious. What should we do about liver cirrhosis in the elderly?Doctor's answer:
Patients with cirrhosis should pay attention to rest and avoid strenuous exercise; they should always maintain an optimistic mood and build confidence in overcoming the disease. The food they consume should be easy to digest and rich in nutrients. The dietary principles for cirrhosis patients are high in protein, high in sugar, high in vitamins, and low in fat. When ascites is present, bed rest is necessary, along with enhanced nutrition and reduced salt intake. It is best to adopt a salt-free or low-salt diet, with daily salt consumption not exceeding 5 grams (1 qian). When ascites is significant, fluid intake should also be restricted, generally limited to 1,000 milliliters per day (equivalent to two hospital saline bottles). At the same time, it is important to pay close attention to dietary care, primarily focusing on light foods and avoiding stimulating or cold foods, believing that this will surely drive cirrhosis away.