Self-care

Although the damage from cirrhosis is irreversible, the disease often progresses slowly, and you can take steps to reduce further liver damage:

• Avoid alcohol. This is the single most important measure you can take to help protect your liver and reduce the risk or severity of complications. Avoiding alcohol is crucial, no matter what type of cirrhosis you have.
• Limit medications. Because your damaged liver isn't able to detoxify and eliminate drugs from your system, discuss all medications, including nonprescription drugs, with your doctor. In general, avoid aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and naproxen. The best pain reliever is acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) as long as you don't take more than 2 grams a day. Be especially careful not to combine any analgesic with alcohol, even if you take only the recommended daily amount of the drug.
• Avoid people who are sick. When your liver is damaged, you can't fight off infections as easily as healthy people. Do everything that's reasonable to avoid getting sick. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.
• Eat a healthy diet. Because cirrhosis can cause a number of nutritional deficiencies along with weight loss, it's especially important to eat a diet high in calories and nutrients. Emphasize fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and small amounts of protein. These foods are high in nutrients, including vitamins A, C and E, which tend to be depleted in people with cirrhosis. Your doctor may also prescribe vitamin supplements.
• Restrict salt. Because the sodium in salt causes your body to retain water, it can contribute to or increase fluid buildup in your legs and abdomen. In addition to not adding salt to your food, it's best to avoid high-sodium prepared foods, such as canned soups and cold cuts, and condiments such as soy sauce, catsup and mayonnaise. Lemon juice and herbs make good salt substitutes.
• Avoid raw shellfish. Uncooked oysters, clams and other shellfish may contain the bacterium vibrio vulnificus, which can be extremely dangerous for people with cirrhosis. It's best to avoid shellfish altogether, but if you do eat them, be sure they're thoroughly cooked.

http://www.riverside-online.com/health_reference/Disease-Conditions/DS00373.cfm

http://www.pegasys.com/pdf/patient3.pdf

Uncooked or undercooked shellfish and hepatitis A - http://health.yahoo.com/topic/hepatitis/resources/article/healthwise/hw123919

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