Care and Mobility Considerations

People with minimal symptoms are likely to have few functional restrictions. This situation may pertain for a number of years and they will have no care and mobility needs. As the disease progresses severe fatigue may limit daily activities. The severity of the fatigue may not correlate closely with other symptoms and signs of the disease. When severe it may lead to a need for help with personal care and limit ability to walk. Other factors such as low body weight, muscle weakness, bone pain, increasing jaundice etc. may limit function. People will have difficulties rising from a chair, using the toilet, preparing food, walking around the house, climbing stairs.

People with the late complications including advanced liver failure, ascites and portal hypertension are likely to need care and have reduced mobility. This will include those waiting for a transplant for end stage failure, most of who may be considered to be in the terminal phase.

If evidence shows that the customer has liver failure, which may have resulted from primary biliary cirrhosis then go to Liver Failure guidance.

For further information about cirrhosis go to Cirrhosis guidance.