1. Quit Drinking Alcohol
As soon as you have any indication that you have the early stages of liver damage that leads to cirrhosis, you should quit drinking alcohol immediately to prevent further complications. Your damaged liver won't be able to reverse its course and function 100 percent normally again, but the progression of the disease can be slowed significantly in the absence of alcohol. Talk to your doctor if you are addicted to alcohol and need help to overcome your addiction. She can refer you to a treatment program or Alcoholics Anonymous chapter that can give you the support you need during this difficult time.
2. Say No to Illegal Drugs
Keep your liver healthy, or at least prevent yourself from falling into a further stage of liver disease, by steering clear of illegal drugs. Shared needles and other contaminated drug paraphernalia are leading causes of hepatitis, which in turn can increase your risk of developing cirrhosis. If you are diabetic and use needles to inject insulin, make sure they are sterile to prevent the spread of disease. People who have early-stage cirrhosis may talk to their doctors about getting vaccinated for hepatitis to prevent further complications.
3. Follow a Low-Sodium Diet
Allow your liver to maintain its current level of function by keeping it from working too hard. Following a low-sodium diet with a restricted fluid intake may help reduce edema in your arms and legs, decreasing ascites (excess fluid buildup in your abdominal cavity) as well. Many people who have cirrhosis have lost a lot of weight, are malnourished and need to get proper nutrition to avoid becoming sicker in the future. A certified nutritionist or dietician can show you how to make good food choices and teach you what foods you should avoid when you have cirrhosis.
