Preventive care
Risk reduction management
Patients with chronic liver disease are at risk of progression of fibrosis or cirrhosis if lifestyle is not modified appropriately. Lifestyle modification means eating healthy food; avoiding use of sugars and elimination of saturated fat (animal fat), avoiding over consumption of calories typically between 1500 to 1800 Kcal/day, walking at least 7000 steps or staying active for at least 8 hours/day or walking at least 1 mile in addition to routine activity. Moreover, all patients need to stop alcohol drinking and avoid herbal medication or supplements. Certainly, we advise cessation of tobacco smoking or vaping and marijuana use. We recommend safe sexual practices and NO illicit drug use.
Prevention of life-threatening complications in patient with advanced liver disease
Patients with chronic liver disease are at risk of life-threatening complications once they develop cirrhosis. We consistently adhere to a preventive approach. It includes long-term periodic screening and surveillance for liver cancers every 6 months with US imaging, upper endoscopy every 1-3 years depending upon risk of bleeding based upon endoscopic findings, use of non-selective betablockers, DEXA scan every 2 years to assess the risk of bone fracture and treatment of osteoporosis if necessary. Infection prophylaxis with antibiotics for bacterial infections and immunization for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, COVID, flu, and pneumonia is also recommended.
Colon cancer screening and surveillance
We offer colorectal cancer screening and surveillance to all liver disease patients and make sure that they stay up to date.