How to treat cirrhosis of the liver?
Patient: Hello My husband has cirrhosis of the liver from excessive alcohol consumption. What are the stages and life expectancies? He is in the hospital right now for sinus surgery, but staying longer due to white blood cells are low and slight pneumonia. They took 5 1/2 liters of fluid out of his abdomen. His legs and feet swell up all the time, he can t eat but broths and ensure. thank you Doctor: Hi,Thanks for posting your question in HCM.I am Dr.Siva and I am pleased to assist you.Your husband is having cirrhosis due to alcohol consumption. It is an irreversible condition.Initially it remains compensated without any symptoms. It may later become decompensated causing many complications. Some of the common complications are bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract due to engorged blood vessels ( varices), accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and legs, poor functioning of the kidneys and brain. Later the liver may even turn cancerous.The life expectancy depends of the severity of the disease. A scoring system called CTP score is done to assess the severity of the disease. Class C is the most severe form with poor outcome.I hope that answers your question.Regards,Dr.Siva