Advice on my diagnosis

[DD666]

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with Cirrohsis secondry non alcholic liver disease. I am wondering how serious the condition is? I know I need to make changes , but I need a starting point.

Thank you

DD666

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I am sure our forum members will be along to share their experiences, but for information I have included links to our website .

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Trust9

[MalcolmCClark]

HiI have non alcoholic fatty liver disease which has been confirmed as cirrhosis by biopsies.

The liver can in some cases repair itself so you need to take action straight away. So yes no alcohol and change your eating habits and yes the usual exercise. The alcohol is the main thing so if you only do one thing that is it.

It is hard. I was only a light wine drinker. Maybe 1 or 2 units per week but even that had to go. If you do this properly then you should also cut out alcohol in food as well.

You should be referred to a liver consultant who will advise you. Take the diagnosis as a warning.

Listen to your doctor. Take there advice and fingers crossed there will be a positive outcome

[DD666 in reply to MalcolmCClark]

Hi Malcolm Thank you for that advice, and my aim is to follow the guidance.

What i can't get my head around is the prognosis. I am Diabetic ,boarding injections. I don't usually eat or drink (water i do loads) after 7pm as I am advised by the Diabetic specialist's. Keep to healthily milk (semi skimmed) and stuff.

The Liver specialist has just told me, I need to drink a glass of full fat milk and a biscuit before bed.

Go figure

✌out.

[ling in reply to DD666]

A glass of full fat milk and a biscuit - how does that help your liver condition?

Thank you

[AyrshireK in reply to ling]

Extract from a liver disease diet brochure the liver specialist dietician gave my hubby will explain the reason for the supper in light of a cirrhotic patient.

When your liver is not working well or when you have liver disease, your body needs extra energy (calories) and protein. This is because sometimes your body cannot digest and absorb its food properly and therefore is unable to store and use energy.

Malnutrition (weight loss and muscle wasting) is common in people with liver disease.

Malnutrition has many causes, including decreased food intake due to liver disease symptoms such as:

- Loss of appetite

- Nausea and vomiting

- Feeling full easily which may be due to ascites (fluid collecting around your middle)

- Unnecessary or inappropriate dietary restrictions.

Good nutrition is vital to overcome symptoms of liver disease, by:

- Stopping muscle wasting and feeling weak

- Maintaining strength and mobility

- Reducing hospital admissions

- Helping wounds heal more quickly

- Speeding up recovery from operations and infections

- Helping to prevent ascites and encephalopathy (confusion caused by liver disease) getting worse.

Carbohydrate

When you eat starchy carbohydrate it is broken down into sugar (glucose). This is your body’s main energy source. Some of this energy is stored in your muscles and liver as a starch called glycogen. This is a back-up energy store to be used later when it is needed, between meals, if you have missed a meal or during a long fast such as overnight.

The liver co-ordinates the release of this energy until you next have something to eat; these energy stores are then replaced at your next meal. If the liver is not working properly and you develop liver disease symptoms, the liver cannot replace this store.

The energy from the food you eat only lasts for 2 hours. If you have liver disease and have no energy stores, your body must find an alternative source of energy after this time. Fat tissue is hard to break down quickly, so instead your body will break down its own muscles for energy. If this continues, your muscles will get weaker and waste away.

It is important that you try and eat regular meals and snacks containing carbohydrate every 2-3 hours.

To prevent muscle being used for energy and to keep you strong, it is important to ‘re-fuel’ your body regularly. Eating meals and snacks containing starchy carbohydrate every 2-3 hours provides enough energy to stop your body breaking down its own muscles.

You will need a large bedtime snack containing carbohydrate for your body to use overnight as it is a long time until breakfast!

You should aim to have 50g of carbohydrate in your bedtime snack; this equals 10 carbohydrate points.

Katie

[DD666 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie, I will take that on board and give it a go. DD666

[ling in reply to DD666]

Best to also run it by your diabetes doc and get his or her input.

There must be a way to sort this out.

Best wishes.

[DD666 in reply to ling]

Hi Ling, thank you. I will.DD666

[ling in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you so very much !God bless you : )

[DD666 in reply to ling]

No idea, because I am chronically exhausted in the mornings. Milk and a bicky before bed .Thanks Ling