Life Expectancy With Cirrhosis of the Liver

It is possible to live for many years with cirrhosis of the liver, but life expectancy depends on the stage of the condition and the treatment you receive.

Generally speaking, people with cirrhosis of the liver have a life expectancy of between two and 12 years. If you have early-stage cirrhosis, treatment and lifestyle changes can help you live longer. People with advanced cirrhosis of the liver have a much shorter life expectancy.

What Is Cirrhosis of the Liver?

Cirrhosis of the liver occurs when healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue. This happens when the liver is inflamed and swollen for long periods. 

The most common causes of cirrhosis of the liver include:

• Alcohol use: Cirrhosis of the liver is the last stage of alcoholic liver disease.
• Viral hepatits: Over time, chronic viral hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
• Other medical conditions: High cholesterol, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and bile duct disease can also lead to cirrhosis.
  

Stages of Cirrhosis of the Liver

Cirrhosis of the liver has two major stages:

• Compensated cirrhosis is the early stage of the condition. Most people do not have symptoms in this stage.
• Decompensated cirrhosis is the later stage of the condition. Untreated compensated cirrhosis will eventually progress to this stage.

Symptoms of Cirrhosis of the Liver

People in the early stage of cirrhosis of the liver often do not have any symptoms. As the condition advances, symptoms may appear or become worse.

Compensated (Early) Cirrhosis

Most people in this stage don't have any obvious symptoms, though milder symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, and mild abdominal pain or disomfort are sometimes present.

Decompensated (Advanced) Cirrhosis

If you have decompensated cirrhosis, you are more likely to experience symptoms and complications such as:

• Nausea and loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Itching
• Spider-like blood vessels
• Bleeding and bruising
• Swelling of the legs
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes
  
• Brain and nervous system problems such as memory problems, numbness in extremities, and fainting

Pain increases as the disease progresses and you may feel pain beyond the abdomen as cirrhosis causes inflammation throughout the body.

Life Expectancy

Life expectancy with cirrhosis of the liver depends on the stage at diagnosis and the steps you and your healthcare provider take to treat and manage the condition. 

People with compensated cirrhosis of the liver generally have a life expectancy of between nine and 12 years. With compensated cirrhosis, it is possible to live a healthy life with lifestyle changes. People with decompensated cirrhosis tend to have a much shorter life expectancy of around two years.

Some of the variables that can influence your life expectancy include:

• Age
• Alcohol use
• Other medical conditions such as heart or kidney disease
• Having obesity or being overweight
• Malnourishment
  

Treatments

If you have cirrhosis of the liver, there are things you can do to help treat the condition and improve your life expectancy. The most important thing you can do is treat the cause of the condition.

If you have alcoholic liver disease, for example, stop drinking alcohol. If you are alcohol-dependent, you may need professional treatment to break your addiction.

If your condition is caused by viral hepatitis, antiviral medication can prevent additional damage to your liver. 

Other treatments include:

• Medications such as beta-blockers and diuretics to help control symptoms
• Getting plenty of exercise
• Reducing your weight
• Quitting smoking
• Getting the right nutrients
• For some people, a liver transplant may be necessary

Living With Cirrhosis of the Liver

Cirrhosis of the liver can't be reversed, but it is possible to slow or stop its progression. If you have risk factors for cirrhosis of the liver, it's important to see a healthcare provider regularly so the condition can be diagnosed early. Early diagnosis, treatment, and management can prolong your life for many years.

Quitting alcohol, losing weight, and adopting a healthy lifestyle are the best things you can do while living with cirrhosis of the liver. Make sure to see your healthcare provider regularly. If your condition progresses, talk with your healthcare provider about the possibility of a liver transplant. 

Summary

Cirrhosis of the liver is a scarring of the liver that happens after many years of swelling and inflammation. It can have several possible causes, including long-term alcohol consumption and viral hepatitis.

Life expectancy with cirrhosis of the liver depends on whether you are in the early or late stage of the disease. People in the early stage of the disease may live between nine and 12 years, while people in the late stages may only live two years.

You can help extend your life expectancy by treating the underlying cause of your condition. If you drink, quit. If you have viral hepatitis, antiviral medications can prevent further liver damage. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and losing weight are some of the other things you can do to slow the progression of the disease and live a longer, healthier life.