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Suggest Treatment For Cirrhosis And Ascites
Question: My husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver about a week ago. He has developed ascites and now has pitting edema developing in his calf's and knees. He is dry heaving every night and has extreme pain in his abdomen. He refuses to get help due in part that he has been to 2 hospitals 6 times for withdrawal symptoms and they will not help him anymore. He cant really eat anything, can hardly drink most times; although he only drinking alcohol. What do I need to be on the look out for?
Brief Answer:
Cirrhosis and ascites
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that your husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis and ascites. Most obviously he needs to stop drinking alcohol. If he does not he will die. If he is already having cirrhosis with ascites his liver is damaged beyond repair. With his fluid and continued abdominal pain he is continuing to accumulate fluid in his belly and will eventually have heart failure, kidney failure and then liver failure.
What you can expect is increased confusion and hallucinations, his memory will fail him to the point he may not even recognize you. The swelling in his belly will increase and the swelling of his legs will increase. He will begin to have difficulty breathing and may even have chest pain. His skin will turn yellow and have easy bruising. The most important sign of his failure will be the increased confusion and shortness of breath. The minute he says he wants to go to the hospital get him there. The hospital can not refuse to admit if he is sick even if it is from his alcohol use.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Cirrhosis and ascites
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that your husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis and ascites. Most obviously he needs to stop drinking alcohol. If he does not he will die. If he is already having cirrhosis with ascites his liver is damaged beyond repair. With his fluid and continued abdominal pain he is continuing to accumulate fluid in his belly and will eventually have heart failure, kidney failure and then liver failure.
What you can expect is increased confusion and hallucinations, his memory will fail him to the point he may not even recognize you. The swelling in his belly will increase and the swelling of his legs will increase. He will begin to have difficulty breathing and may even have chest pain. His skin will turn yellow and have easy bruising. The most important sign of his failure will be the increased confusion and shortness of breath. The minute he says he wants to go to the hospital get him there. The hospital can not refuse to admit if he is sick even if it is from his alcohol use.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My other question is with the above information what stage of cirrhosis could he be in? I have read there are different stages. His urine is orange and he has not had a bowel movement in three days. Could this be a complication from his cirrhosis? Also he has been very fatigued and not wanting to eat. Is the fluid in his abdomen causing this?
Brief Answer:
Stage 3 liver cirrhosis
Detailed Answer:
From your description I would say he is in stage three cirrhosis out of four. The constipation and lack of appetite is all related to the fluid and liver disease. Since he has fluid in his abdomen he can't take deep breaths and is fatigued because of that extra fluid. I wish you could convince him to return to the hospital and take control of his disease. But as long as he continues to drink alcohol there is little we can do for him
Stage 3 liver cirrhosis
Detailed Answer:
From your description I would say he is in stage three cirrhosis out of four. The constipation and lack of appetite is all related to the fluid and liver disease. Since he has fluid in his abdomen he can't take deep breaths and is fatigued because of that extra fluid. I wish you could convince him to return to the hospital and take control of his disease. But as long as he continues to drink alcohol there is little we can do for him
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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