How can I prevent cirrhosis of the liver?

How can I prevent cirrhosis of the liver?

  • Don’t abuse alcohol. If you do drink alcohol, limit how much you drink and how often. If you drink more than 2 drinks a day, you are increasing your risk. A drink is a glass of wine or a 12-ounce can of beer or a 1 1/2 ounce serving of hard liquor.
  • Avoid high-risk sexual behavior such as unprotected sexual contact with multiple partners.
  • Be careful around synthetic chemicals, such as cleaning products and pesticides. If you come into contact with chemicals often, wear protective clothing and a facemask.
  • Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
  • Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet. Poor nutrition, usually associated with alcohol or drug abuse, may play a role in causing cirrhosis.
  • See your doctor regularly for check-ups. Follow medical recommendations to control obesity, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and dyslipidemia (high bad cholesterol [LDL], high triglycerides and/or low good cholesterol [HDL]).