What is cirrhosis of the liver? Cirrhosis can be caused by a variety of pathogenic factors, such as long-term alcohol consumption, schistosomiasis, long-term severe heart disease, biliary obstruction, drug or chemical toxicity, malnutrition, inherited metabolic defects, autoimmune diseases, etc. However, the most predominant in our country are hepatitis B and C, especially the former. The formation of cirrhosis is the result of long-term action of pathogenic factors and is a gradual process. Its pathological basis is the abnormal reconstruction of the tissue structure of the liver lobules (small structural units of the liver), including liver fibrosis and nodular regeneration. In the early stage, symptoms are often not obvious. In the compensated phase of liver function (referred to as compensated phase), there may be weakness, loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, vague pain or discomfort in the left upper abdomen, diarrhea, etc. In the decompensated phase of liver function (referred to as decompensated phase), there may be severe abdominal distension, low fever, and ascites, severe jaundice, bleeding, and impaired consciousness. In the compensated stage, the liver is often enlarged (or significantly reduced), with a smooth, moderately hard surface, often with splenomegaly and spider nevi and liver palms. In the decompensated stage, the face is gray, hyperpigmentation, capillary dilatation and spider nevi on the face and neck and arms, and the liver is hard, with nodules on the surface. Some patients present with gynecomastia, irregular menstruation in women, and varicose veins in the abdominal wall. Platelets and white blood cells are significantly reduced in routine blood tests. Ultrasound examination of the liver may show an increase in the number of light spots and thickening of the liver, unevenness, poor display of the vascular network, narrowing and deformation of the liver, and widening of the portal vein and splenic vein, CT and magnetic resonance imaging (NMR) may be useful for diagnosis, and X-ray barium meal fluoroscopy of the esophagus may reveal varices. What should patients with cirrhosis pay attention to in their daily life? The main complications of cirrhosis are upper gastrointestinal bleeding (vomiting blood and blood in stool), liver coma and various infections, especially the ascites infection. Therefore, patients with cirrhosis should first prevent complications in their daily life and try to reduce the load on the liver. 1.Avoid contact with and eating toxic substances that are harmful to the liver, such as alcohol, certain drugs and chemicals, etc.; 2.In the compensated period and when the disease is inactive, physical and mental activities should be reduced; in the decompensated period and when complications arise, bed rest is necessary; 3.The diet should be soft and easy to digest, the temperature should not be too high (close to body temperature), and the amount of food at one time should not be too full. Daily protein intake should be between 100-150 grams and should contain multiple vitamins. If the liver function is significantly reduced or there are liver coma aura phenomenon, the protein intake should be strictly limited. Animal fat should not be excessive. Keep bowel movements smooth. If there is ascites and swelling, the salt intake should be limited (eat lighter). Food must be clean and hygienic, to prevent diarrhea. 4, usually pay attention to weather changes, timely addition of clothing, prevention of colds. If there are intermingled diseases occur (such as fever) must be timely diagnosis and treatment, not self-medication treatment. Patients with ascites cannot be diuretic in large quantities in a short period of time.