International Patient’s Guide to Liver Cirrhosis Treatment in India

GetWellGo helps international patients access advanced liver cirrhosis treatment in India with expert doctors, world-class care, and smooth travel support.

International Patient’s Guide to Liver Cirrhosis Treatment in India

Liver Cirrhosis Treatment in India

Liver cirrhosis is an advanced stage liver disease that is characterized by permanent scarring (fibrosis) of the liver due to a long term damage by the liver. It is virtually irreversible in nature, though early intervention can help decelerate its development, control its complications and enhance the quality of life.

Treatment Aims

  • Reduce or halt the liver damage
  • Treat the symptoms and complications
  • Prevent or treat complications (e.g. bleeding, infections)
  • Avoid liver cancer
  • Liver transplantation is an option in case of necessity

Causal Treatment

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

  • Total avoidance of alcohol is important.
  • Participate in alcohol abstinence regimes (e.g. the AA).
  • Vitamin supplementation (and particularly B1 and folate).

Cirrhosis of Hep B or Hep C

  • Antiviral drugs (e.g. Tenofovir, Entecavir to Hep B; DAAs to Hep C).
  • Close attention to liver functioning and cancer.

Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) / Fatty Liver

  • Reduction of weight, exercise, and control of diabetes.
  • Diet on low fat and sugar content.
  • Control the levels of cholesterol and metabolic syndrome.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

  • Immunosuppressants (e.g. corticosteroids, aza thioprine).

Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC/PSC)

  • PBC Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).
  • Bile duct strictures of PSC.

General Medical Treatment

  • Diuretics (e.g. spironolactone, furosemide) e.g. fluid overload.
  • Lactulose or rifaximin- to address hepatic encephalopathy.
  • Beta-blockers (namely: propranolol) - to lower the chances of variceal bleeding.
  • Endoscopy- to band varices in case varices are present.

Diet & Lifestyle

  • Low-sodium (<2g/day) diet- to avoid fluid retention.
  • Ingestion of large amounts of protein- this is except when there is hepatic encephalopathy.
  • Do not take alcoholic beverages and hepatotoxic medication (NSAIDs, etc.).
  • Vaccinations- hepatitis, B, pneumococcal, flu.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Ultrasound and AFP 6 months of the year- to monitor liver cancer (HCC).
  • Endoscopy- to examine varices.
  • Bloodwork LFT, renal, INR, albumin, etc.

Advanced Treatments

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)

  • Applied to portal hypertension that is severe or repeatedly causes ascites.

Liver Transplant

  • It is regarded when there is decompensated cirrhosis or liver failure.
  • Depending on the MELD score (Model of End-Stage Liver Disease).
  • Approaches should be rigid, and transplant centers need to evaluate.

Best hospital for liver cirrhosis in India

Top hepatologists for cirrhosis in India

Liver cirrhosis management in India

In India, liver cirrhosis management is high quality and cost-efficient and such management includes high-level diagnostics, medical treatment, and liver transplants. The availability of international patients in the accredited hospitals offers them high quality world-class care as well as the entire support services.

Diagnosis & Evaluation

Majority of the Indian hospitals are subject to international procedures and offer:

  • Blood tests (LFTs, coagulation, viral makers)
  • FibroScan(liver stiffness/fibrosis): Ultrasound
  • Endoscopy (in order to identify esophageal varices)
  • Biochemical test (in chosen cases) and liver biopsy
  • AFP + Imaging (To screen liver cancer)

Medical Management

Covers the management of the etiological cause and control of the complications:

  • Alcohol Cirrhosis: De-addiction programs, dietary supplements
  • Hepatitis B and C: Antiviral treatment (e.g., Tenofovir, Sofosbuvir combinations)
  • NAFLD/NASH: Diet---- Weight, diabetes and statin, dietary counseling
  • Autoimmune/Biliary Cirrhosis: Immunosuppressants, ursodeoxycholic acid
  • Management of Complications Encephalopathy (lactulose, rifaximin), Ascites (diuretics, paracentesis)
  • Portal Hypertension: Beta blocks, EVL (banding), TIPS
  • Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Surveillance, ablation and TACE, surgery or transplant

Advanced Interventions

  • Variceal endoscopy 
  • Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
  • Albumin infusions and Paracentesis
  • Radiological interventions
  • Physiotherapy and nutrition aid

Liver cirrhosis transplant India

Liver transplantation is the salvaging treatment when liver cirrhosis has attained an advanced (decompensated) stage. When liver transplant becomes successful, the malfunctioning liver can be substituted by a healthy one and the survival and quality of life can be improved tremendously.

How Cirrhosis Requires Liver Transplant?

Liver transplant is an option in end stage liver disease or life threatening diseases of cirrhosis including:

  • Uncontrolled ascites by meds: Repeated buildup of fluids
  • Hepatic encephalopathy: Mental confusion/coma attacks
  • Esophageal variceal bleed: Whether repetitive or not life threatening
  • Liver cancer (HCC): In transplant criteria (e.g. Milan criteria)
  • High score on MELD and high symptoms: impairment of quality of life

MELD Score

  • Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD): It is used as a measure which establishes the urgency of transplantation.
  • Score >15-18 is generally considered transplant listable.

Types of Liver Transplants

Living Donor Liver Transplant ( LDLT )

  • A healthy family member gives up some part of liver.
  • In India it is the most common form because of organ shortage.
  • The liver of the donor heals in just a few weeks.

Deceased Donor liver transplant (DDLT)

  • Whole liver is a donation of a brain-dead.

  • The availability can be low and make the wait times longer.

Liver cirrhosis treatment in India GetWellGo

GetWellGo links international patients and leading liver specialists and transplant centers throughout India to provide end-to-end support of liver cirrhosis diagnosis and treatment, as well as transplants.

Why Choose GetWellGo for Liver Cirrhosis Treatment?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for Liver Cirrhosis treatment.
  • Expert hepatologists with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food

 

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