Health-Related Behavioural Counselling As A Remedial Measure For Cirrhosis Patients
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Abstract
The medical terminology for scarring of the liver is called cirrhosis. Due to scarring of tissues the liver is unable to perform its functions properly. There is no cure for cirrhosis but the progression can be delayed or complications can be managed. Apart from medication, lifestyle changes are also advised and the present study assesses the impact of health-related behaviour counselling in the management of cirrhosis. This study was performed on 100 liver cirhosis patients. The selected sample was divided into two equal groups with one being named the experimental and the other being the control group. The patients placed in the experimental group were given three months of health-related behaviour counselling. The score on the Fantastic Lifestyle Checklist was used to assess the changes in health-related behaviour while weight changes were observed through anthropometric data. The liver profile pathological test provides data on the status of enzymes. The data were collected twice. Results revealed that the weight status of male patients with cirrhosis of the liver showed significant signs of decreasing trend after three months of health-related behaviour counselling program. The mean SGOT and SGPT enzyme levels showed substantial changes after three months of health-related behaviour counselling program with the majority of the subjects showing normal values on SGOT and SGPT profile test. The effect of three months of health-related behavioural counselling was observed on the lifestyle choices of male cirrhosis patients. It was concluded that lifestyle counselling gives a boost to better health-related behaviour through diet, physical exercise, and limiting consumption of alcohol and tobacco apart from other emotional and social issues that contribute towards weight management and thereby maintaining the recommended levels of SGOT and SGPT enzymes. Hence healthy lifestyle choice is an answer for the management of cirrhosis in male patients.