Treatment Information

The treatment for cirrhosis is mostly to stop or delay of disease process, minimize the damage to liver cells, and reduce complication.

In early cirrhosis, it may be possible to minimize damage to the liver by treating the underlying cause. The options include:

•  For cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse should try to stop drinking to halt the progression of cirrhosis. 
• If it is cause by hepatitis, the doctor will likely to prescribe steroids or antiviral drugs to reduce liver cell injury.
• People with cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease may become healthier if they lose weight and control their blood sugar levels.
• Sometimes doctor might prescribe some medication to reduce symptoms such as 
• A drugs called diuretics are used to to reduce edema and ascites (fluid in the abdomen area). 
• Laxatives such as lactulose may be given to help absorb toxins and speed their removal from the intestines
• Other medications can relieve certain symptoms, such as itching, fatigue and pain. 

 For Cirrhosis complication:

• Excess fluid in your body. Edema or ascites may be managed with a low-sodium diet and medication to prevent fluid buildup in the body. More severe fluid buildup may require procedures to drain the fluid or surgery to relieve pressure.
• Portal hypertension. Blood pressure medications may control increased pressure in the veins that supply the liver (portal hypertension) and prevent severe bleeding. Your doctor will perform an upper endoscopy at regular intervals to look for enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach (varices) that may bleed.
  If you develop varices, you likely will need medication to reduce the risk of bleeding. If you are not able to tolerate medication and have signs that the varices are bleeding or are likely to bleed, you may need a procedure (band ligation) to stop the bleeding. In severe cases, you may need a small tube — a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) — placed in your vein to reduce blood pressure in your liver.
  
• Infections. You may receive antibiotics or other treatments for infections. Your doctor also is likely to recommend vaccinations for influenza, pneumonia and hepatitis.
• Increased liver cancer risk. Your doctor will likely recommend periodic blood tests and ultrasound exams to look for signs of liver cancer.
• Hepatic encephalopathy. You may be prescribed medications to help reduce the buildup of toxins in your blood due to poor liver function.

Liver transplant surgery

In advanced cases of cirrhosis, when the liver ceases to function, a liver transplant may be the only treatment option. A liver transplant is a procedure to replace your liver with a healthy liver from a deceased donor or with part of a liver from a living donor. Cirrhosis is the most common reason for a liver transplant.
Extensive testing is needed before a liver transplant to ensure that a candidate is in good enough health to have the transplant operation. Additionally, transplant centers typically require some period of abstinence from alcohol, often at least six months, before transplantation for people with alcohol-related liver disease.

References:
Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis. (2015, February 6). Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/liver-disease.htm 
Cirrhosis. (2014, August 16). Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/basics/definition/con-20031617