What Is The Life Expectancy When Suffering From Cirrhosis And Hepatitis B & C?

Posted on Tue, 9 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 9 Sep 2014 Answered on

Wed, 1 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has cirrhosis, hepatitis B & C, has gone to the hospital twice for esophageal bleeding of varices, is experiencing encephalopathy and continues drinking heavily and I believe doing cocaine. How much can his body take? He has denied medical attention. How much longer can he Iive like this?

Answered by Dr. Divakara (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Less than 3 months.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting your query.

Cirrhosis with varices in encephalopathy means it's an advanced stage of Liver failure. Though encephalopathy is a reversible condition it requires total abstinence from drinking alcohol and to follow strictly the medical advise .

If these are not followed then I don't think he has more than 3 months of time . Very sorry to tell you that.

Any clarification feel free to ask .
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (39 minutes later)

What will happen next? Or what should I expect as far as his health? How will I know what to do? Or do I just take him to the hospital at the start of vomiting blood?

Answered by Dr. Divakara (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Any alteration in consciousness take him to hospit

Detailed Answer:
HI

Thanks for the follow up .

With continued deterioration , his conscious level will start changing . He shall become more sleepy during day time and sleepless in the night .

He may also vomit blood or pass black tarry colored stools . His appetite may become very low . His abdomen and feet will start swelling. But alteration in consciousness ultimately leading to coma is the final path .

Any alteration in consciousness take him to hospital , or any bloody vomit or pass black tarry colored stools. In fact the very fact that he continues to drink is an indication for hospitalization .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj