Patient's question:
I have a relative who has been coughing frequently recently, and every time he coughs, he experiences severe abdominal pain. Today, he went to the hospital for a thorough examination and was found to have cirrhosis of the liver. I heard that patients with cirrhosis are prone to hepatic encephalopathy. I would like to understand how cirrhosis patients can prevent hepatic encephalopathy?Doctor's answer:
Additionally, after bleeding, some blood flows to the intestines and is compressed into ammonia in the intestines. Ammonia is absorbed into the blood, and a decrease in blood ammonia levels has toxic effects on the central nervous system, leading to hepatic encephalopathy. Patients with cirrhosis should consume soft foods, avoid high-protein foods, and not eat hard foods. It is important to maintain regular bowel movements, avoid excessive diuretic use, and use sedative drugs cautiously.