what's the healthy weight in cirrhosis. Is 73-75kg normal for 5'7 feets???

[ZABohra]

Please help me the healthy BMI of cirrhosis patient. And what should be physically checked like the width of stomach , arms etc?? What should I regularly check in a cirrhotic patient?

[Bolly]

A healthy BMI for an adult of 5' 7" ranges from 18.5 to 24.9 which equates to a weight range of 8stone 5pounds up to 11 1/4 stone.

For someone with compensated cirrhosis I would guess the healthy weight range is the same.

Once someone has decompensated cirrhosis (I dont think your father does as you say he has no symptoms of decompensated cirrhosis such as varicies or ascites) then things change, as fluid collecting in the abdomen will make a person heavy, and poor appetite or poor nutrition will make a person lighter.

However, I am 5' 6" with compensated cirrhosis. I am female and weigh a measly 9stone. When I am weighed in hospital they put me in the malnourished category. I have always been this weight, my mum was like me, my gran was like me, my sibling is a lightweight. I eat well, I feel fine, I dont worry about my low weight (means I can eat a cream cake and enjoy it).

I would say throw the statistics out the window and look at the longer term. Is the weight loss significant suddenly, or slowly over time. Is the weight loss actually muscle loss because your father is weaker or taking less exercise. Has his nutrition changed because he can no longer tolerate certain foods (I cant eat red meat or saturated fats as they make me feel sick or give me indigestion, so I have to replace those calories with something else).

This is the British Liver Trust advice:

Day-to-day coping strategies:-

In general, it is best to aim for as near to a normal life as possible. However, there are some points that you should keep in mind to help you feel as healthy as you can.

Take care of yourself by ensuring enough rest and exercise.

Follow sensible hygiene measures if your immunity is low.

Always discuss the use of over-the-counter drugs with your doctor since it is important to avoid some, especially painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen, if you have cirrhosis.

Try to limit your exposure to colds and other infectious diseases.

Talk to your doctor about having a flu vaccination in the winter months.

Before travelling abroad, talk to your doctor about whether you should have any vaccinations.

Join a support group for more information and personal support.

Take an active interest in your healthcare.

Gather as much information as you need from charity telephone helplines and their supporting websites.

Remember that liver function can improve if you take care of yourself and receive early treatment. However, you must ensure that health professionals know you have cirrhosis before giving or prescribing any treatment or medication for you.

Diet

It is important to eat well and to include a good balance of foods in your diet including vitamins, minerals and calcium. It is likely you will need extra energy and protein.

Cirrhosis affects your ability to store glycogen, a carbohydrate that gives you short-term energy. This means that your body has to use its own muscle tissue to provide energy between meals and this can lead to muscle wasting and weakness.

If you are affected in this way, snacking between meals is a way you can top up on calories and protein. Another good method is to eat three or four small meals in a day rather than one large protein or carbohydrate-heavy meal.

You may find having nourishing drinks a help. These can include homemade milkshakes or commercially-made products such as Build Up, Complan, Recovery and Nourishment. These are available at most chemists. It is a good idea to check with your doctor or dietician first to make sure they are suitable for you.

Try to avoid salty foods or adding salt to what you eat, to help control fluid retention.

Alcohol and cirrhosis

If you have cirrhosis – whether it is caused by alcohol or not – you should not drink alcohol at all.

[ZABohra in reply to Bolly]

I think you are right, but after the diagnosis of this disease he has lost weight , he apparently looks weak. There were time when he was worried about his weight and used to diet! Well I want him to restore his muscles. Do you have any diet plan suggestion ??

[liveronmymind in reply to ZABohra]

He needs sufficient protein to retain muscle mass - it's a tricky one because meat is hard for the liver to cope with but liver dieticians say meat is essential to combat wasting of muscles. so keep up the protein in your Dads diet.

[ZABohra in reply to Bolly]

Do you feel burning or pain in urination? Can u tell what triggers it?? Are there certain food or medicine which causes it.

[AyrshireK]

ZABohra, I have sent you a Private Message regarding diet and cirrhosis. If you see it and reply as I said I can perhaps provide details about what worked for us (hubby going from 8 1/2 stone to 11 stone, regaining muscle and becoming so well he was removed from transplant list).

All the best, Katie xx

PS. would agree with Bolly on the urine issue, worth getting that checked out by your Dads doctor. Could be a Urinary Tract Infection or other issues with Dads 'water works'.

[RodeoJoe]

Does he get protein drinks on prescription? Something like fortisip?

Like others have said with cirrhosis you need constant protien otherwise the body will use muscle reserves. A good tip is a high source of protien before bed.

[ZABohra in reply to RodeoJoe]

No he was not taking that. Thanks for prescribing it.