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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffTaking good care of your overall health may help you feel better and improve some of the symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis:
- Choose reduced-sodium foods. Opt for reduced-sodium foods, such as reduced-sodium soups, since sodium contributes to tissue swelling and to accumulating fluid in your abdominal cavity (ascites).
- Exercise most days of the week. Exercise may reduce your risk of bone loss.
- Limit alcohol consumption. Drink alcohol occasionally, if at all. Your liver processes the alcohol you drink, and the added stress can cause liver damage. If your disease has progressed enough to damage your liver, your doctor may recommend that you not drink alcohol at all.
- Check with your doctor before starting new medications or dietary supplements. Because your liver isn't working normally, you'll likely be more sensitive to the effects of over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as some dietary supplements, so check with your doctor before taking anything new.
References
- Angulo P, et al. Primary biliary cirrhosis. In: 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 Oct. 5, 2011.
- Liver biopsy. Alexandria, Va.: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. http://www.aasld.org/practiceguidelines/Documents/Bookmarked%20Practice%20Guidelines/PrimaryBillaryCirrhosis7-2009.pdf. Accessed Oct. 5, 2011.
- Primary biliary cirrhosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/primarybiliarycirrhosis/index.aspx. Accessed Oct. 5, 2011.
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