What foods are good for cirrhosis?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 26, 2025
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The usual diet plays a crucial role for patients with cirrhosis, and it has been confirmed that nutritional therapy is very important for reducing mortality and disability rates in patients with cirrhosis.

Generally speaking, easily digestible, high-vitamin nutritional foods should be the main source of food, alcohol must be strictly prohibited, and consumption of vegetables and fruits should be increased. Salt intake can be controlled, and adjustments should be made according to different changes in the condition. Another point to note is that patients with esophageal and gastric varices must avoid consuming hard and rough food, as this could lead to rupture of the varices and cause severe bleeding.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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How to treat splenomegaly and liver cirrhosis?

Once liver cirrhosis is detected, accompanied by an enlarged spleen and hyperactive spleen function, this condition can be addressed through interventional methods to resolve issues of spleen enlargement and hyperfunction. This reduces the destruction of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The interventional approach primarily involves sterile necrosis and absorption of the spleen, thus resolving spleen issues. As for treating liver cirrhosis, it is primarily important to understand the causes of the cirrhosis. If the cirrhosis is caused by a virus, antiviral treatment is needed. There are corresponding antiviral medications for cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and C. If the cirrhosis is caused by alcohol, it is essential to abstain from alcohol as part of the treatment. In addition, medications that combat liver cirrhosis should be used.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Does early-stage cirrhosis cause itchy skin?

Generally, early-stage cirrhosis does not cause itchy skin. However, if a patient with cirrhosis has a high jaundice index, or the cirrhosis is caused by bile stasis or primary sclerosing cholangitis, itchy skin might occur. Once a patient with cirrhosis experiences itchy skin, it is recommended to complete relevant auxiliary examinations, such as liver function tests, routine blood tests, gastroscopy, and abdominal ultrasound, to determine the extent of the cirrhosis and actively identify the causes of the cirrhosis and itchy skin, to promptly treat the condition based on the underlying causes.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Does portal vein widen in the early stages of cirrhosis?

Patients with early-stage cirrhosis may also experience an enlargement of the portal vein. At this time, patients will need to complete related auxiliary examinations, such as electronic gastroscopy and abdominal color ultrasound, to rule out other complications caused by cirrhosis, such as esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding, or ascites associated with cirrhosis. It is crucial for early-stage cirrhosis patients to identify the cause as soon as possible and undergo etiological treatment, which sometimes can be very effective. For alcohol-related cirrhosis, abstaining from alcohol is necessary. If the cause is viral, such as chronic hepatitis B, antiviral treatments like entecavir are required. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can abnormal liver function and nosebleeds indicate liver cirrhosis?

Abnormal liver function accompanied by nosebleeds does not necessarily indicate cirrhosis. Nosebleeds in patients with abnormal liver function can be due to acute hepatitis leading to liver failure and decreased coagulation function. Of course, in patients with cirrhosis, a significant decline in coagulation function may also result in nosebleeds. Therefore, patients experiencing nosebleeds due to abnormal liver function should actively seek medical attention. It is important to complete liver function tests and coagulation assays, as well as comprehensive abdominal imaging examinations, such as CT scans, ultrasonography, and MRI, to assess the condition of the patient. Based on these assessments, appropriate medical treatment should be administered.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is it okay not to remove the spleen for cirrhosis with splenomegaly?

Once cirrhosis patients are found to have splenic hyperfunction, in order to reduce the splenic hyperfunction and its phagocytic destruction of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, the spleen must be dealt with. Traditionally, the treatment plan could involve surgically removing the spleen, also known as splenectomy. However, current treatment plans generally involve interventional methods. After multiple interventional embolizations, the spleen undergoes aseptic necrosis and is absorbed, thus improving the condition of splenic hyperfunction. Therefore, now in cases of cirrhosis with splenic hyperfunction, it is possible to treat without removing the spleen, using interventional methods instead.