How many live with cirrhosis of the liver: life expectancy prognosis

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease that is accompanied by irreversible changes in the structure of liver tissue (tissue is replaced by connective tissue). The organ increases in size, becomes bumpy, the surface is rough. The duration and quality of life with cirrhosis depends on how quickly the disease was diagnosed and how the treatment is carried out.

Stages of liver cirrhosis and life expectancy

If there are no concomitant diseases and only the liver is affected, then the prognosis of life expectancy is made only on the basis of the stage of cirrhosis. At the same time, the degree of its compensation is determined. According to the Child-Turcotta system, such indicators as total bilirubin, albumin are taken into account. An important role is played by the presence of ascites and neurological disorders.

There are three such stages:

1. Compensated cirrhosis - the level of total bilirubin is at least two mg%, albumin is more than three and a half g / dl. Ascites and neurological disorders are absent;
2. Subcompensated cirrhosis - the level of total bilirubin is two to three mg%, albumin exceeds three to three and a half g / dl. There is ascites, but it is treated without complications. Neurological disorders are minimal;
3. Decompensated cirrhosis - the level of total bilirubin is more than three mg%, albumin is less than three g / dL. There is ascites and is difficult to treat, Hepatic encephalopathy at the coma level is present.

Of course, miracles do happen. And doctors can tell about many cases when the liver of patients is restored and they live to old age, but in order to understand the real picture, it is better to rely on statistical data.

If the disease is at a compensated stage, then after the diagnosis is made, half of the patients live for more than seven years. In the subcompensated stage, the five-year survival rate is approximately forty percent.

As for the decompensated stage, in this case, the life expectancy is no more than three years. The reason for this is the occurrence of concomitant complications.

The most common causes of death in the decompensated stage are:

1. Bleeding from the veins of the esophagus. The mortality rate in this case is from thirty to fifty percent. If a person survives the first bleeding, the chance of re-bleeding within a year is seventy percent;
2. Hepatic coma. In fact, this is the last stage of the disease. Unfortunately, the mortality rate in this case is one hundred percent.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that if a tumor was detected during the disease, then the prognosis worsens.

Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver: survival prognosis

First of all, it is worth clarifying that it is impossible to say for sure how many years a person with cirrhosis of the liver will live. It depends on a huge number of factors. As for alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, the prognosis in most cases is favorable, provided that the pathology is identified before irreversible changes in the tissue structure and the person has overcome the dependence on alcohol.

Attention! If a person does not pay attention to the disease and continues to consume alcohol, then according to statistics, life expectancy will be no more than five years from the onset of the development of the disease.

Prognosis for Hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver

Hepatitis C is an “affectionate” killer, the development of which in the body can be asymptomatic. According to statistics, around five hundred million people in the world are carriers of this virus. The mortality rate in this case is from three to seven percent. If the liver is affected by the virus, the mortality rate is approximately fifty-seven percent.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine exactly how long a person with hepatitis C can live with and such a diagnosis of the liver is impossible.

Life expectancy in this case depends on such factors:

• Immunity status;
• Age;
• Addiction to bad habits.

Timely treatment is also an important factor. And one more thing: if treatment is started in a timely manner, a person leads a healthy lifestyle, that is, there is a chance to live up to eighty years.

How to Improve Your Chances of Surviving Cirrhosis

It has been statistically proven that with early detection of the disease and its adequate treatment, it is possible to extend life after diagnosis for up to twenty years.

First of all, with regard to viral hepatitis. Immediately after its treatment, it is worth following a constant diet. It should contain a significant amount of dairy products and fruits. It is worth completely eliminating alcohol from the diet and forgetting about smoking. Also, after consulting with your doctor, it is worth taking drugs, the action of which is aimed at restoring liver cells.

With cirrhosis, you need to be careful about the drinking regime. You can drink mineral water before meals. But it is worth consulting a gastroenterologist about this, since patients most often have other diseases. And with some of them, mineral water may be contraindicated.

You should also carefully monitor your health, beware of any infectious diseases, including the flu. Remember that your doctor should supervise the healing process.

And one more thing: self-medication in this case is unacceptable. Without consulting a doctor, you cannot even change the dosage of medicines. Remember, this is not just about your health. It's about the years of your life. Therefore, it is in your best interest to follow all the doctor's recommendations.

How long do you live with liver cirrhosis? Nobody will give you an exact answer to this question. Remember that life expectancy does not depend on statistical data, but on the patient's mood. Therefore, first of all, you need to believe in recovery. The support of loved ones is also important. I wish you health and good luck!