Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Reduce your risk of cirrhosis by taking care of your liver:

  • Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men over than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Choose a plant-based diet that's full of fruits and vegetables. Select whole grains and lean sources of protein. Reduce the amount of fatty and fried foods you eat.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. An excess amount of body fat can damage your liver. Talk to your doctor about a weight-loss plan if you are obese or overweight.
  • Reduce your risk of hepatitis. Sharing needles and having unprotected sex can increase your risk of hepatitis B and C. Ask your doctor about hepatitis vaccinations.

If you're concerned about your risk of liver cirrhosis, talk to your doctor about ways you can reduce your risk.

Alternative medicine

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
    Related Links
    Related Guides
    Children
    Parent
  • Liver problems
References
  1. Sanchez W, et al. Liver cirrhosis. The American College of Gastroenterology. http://patients.gi.org/topics/liver-cirrhosis/. Accessed Dec. 3, 2012.
  2. 2. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2013:5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-08373-7..00002-9&isbn=978-0-323-08373-7&about=true&uniqId=343863096-23.Accessed Nov. 27, 2012.
  3. Cirrhosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.3.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/index.htm. Accessed Nov. 27, 2012.
  4. Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&about=true&uniqId=229935664-2192. Accessed Dec. 3, 2012.
  5. AskMayoExpert. What are the clinical manifestations of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  6. Starr PS, et al. Cirrhosis: Diagnosis, management and prevention. American Family Physician. 2011;84:1353.
  7. AskMayoExpert. What are the complications and comorbid conditions associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  8. Jafri SM, et al. Care of the cirrhotic patient. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2012;26:979.
  9. AskMayoExpert. When should patients with cirrhosis be screened for esophageal varices? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2010.
  10. AskMayoExpert. What is the standard follow-up for patients receiving therapy for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  11. AskMayoExpert. What is the initial therapy recommended for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  12. AskMayoExpert. Will asymptomatic patients who receive a diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have symptoms at a later time? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  13. AskMayoExpert. What is the expected prognosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) following treatment? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  14. Your liver. Your life. American Liver Foundation. http://www.yourliver.org/Liver-Wellness-Presentation.pdf. Accessed Dec. 3, 2012.
  15. Liver transplant. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/livertransplant. Accessed Dec. 28, 2012.
  16. Verma S et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in hepatology: review of the evidence of efficacy. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2007; 5: 408.
  17. Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-2/0/1494/0.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013.
DS00373 Jan. 30, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger