Looking after yourself

Being diagnosed with BCS can be worrying and frightening, as it is a serious disease. For many people, the diagnosis can be the end to a long process of feeling something was wrong. Diagnosis also gives patients an opportunity to have effective treatment that can improve quality of life. Treatments aim to reduce the risk of the disease progressing to a serious outcome, including the risk of death and to improve the quality of life.

To manage your ascites you will be given diuretics and placed on a low-sodium diet. This will mean no added salt on your food and also only eating foods that are very low in salt, avoiding processed and cured foods and snacks such as crisps and biscuits. A dietician can help you adjust your diet.

Like other people with liver disease, you have a higher risk of infection and a higher risk of infections leading to serious complications. You can help protect yourself by maintaining high standards of hygiene and getting vaccinated before travel and for infections such as fl u and pneumococcal infection. You may also fi nd that you get tired more easily and need to plan your day to ensure you have enough energy for all your activities.

Living with a long-term serious illness means making adjustments to your way of life and these often take time and patience to achieve. These will affect your family and friends so it may be useful to keep them informed about your condition and feelings (as you judge appropriate), so that they are best able to help and support you. Some people fi nd it useful to join support groups or online forums for people with liver disease or other life-limiting conditions.