Complications related to Liver Failure
Introduction
Acute liver failure is defined as a loss of liver function that occurs suddenly, within days or weeks, and usually in people who have never been diagnosed with liver disease before. The hepatitis virus or medications, such as acetaminophen, are the most common causes of this condition.
What are the types of Liver failure?
Acute liver failure When your liver stops working in a few days to a few weeks, you have this condition. Most people who have this condition did not have any kind of liver disease or illness before it happened.
Chronic liver failure The liver eventually becomes dysfunctional as a result of the damage that accumulates over time.
Which factors cause Liver failure?
Acute Liver failure
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Wilson’s disease
- Acetaminophen Overdose
- Eating poisonous wild mushrooms
- Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
- Industrial toxins
- Reaction of Herbal medicines
- Viruses including Epstein-Barr virus, Hepatitis A, B, and E, Herpes simplex virus and Cytomegalovirus
- Budd Chiari Syndrome
- Septic Shock
Chronic Liver failure
- Hemochromatosis
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis B
- Long term Alcohol Consumption
Symptoms of Liver failure
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Discomfort in right side, just below the ribs
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
The Advancement of Liver Failure
Stage 1 Inflammation
Your liver will be inflamed and sometimes painful in the early stages. You might not even be bothered by it.
Stage 2 Scarring
Scarring will result from the inflammation if it is not treated. Your liver’s blood flow is restricted as scar tissue accumulates, which prevents the good sections from performing their functions and forces them to work harder.
Stage 3 Cirrhosis
Your liver will either not function at all or will function poorly as the scar tissue takes over and leaves less and less healthy tissue to perform its functions.
Stage 4 End stage of liver failure
This is a catch-all word for a number of ailments, including swollen liver, internal bleeding, kidney function loss, fluid retention, and lung issues. It can only be cured through a liver transplant.
How can Liver failure be diagnosed?
Imaging tests
Your healthcare provider may use an ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan to check your liver for evidence of injury, scarring, or malignancies. The degree of liver fat deposition and scarring can be assessed using the fibroscan, a different specialized form of ultrasound.
Biopsy
A tiny amount of liver tissue will be removed by the doctor using a needle so that it may be examined in a lab. A unique procedure called a transjugular liver biopsy enables the doctor to insert the needle into a vein in your neck.
Blood test
Your doctor can use these to determine how well your liver is functioning. In order to determine how long it takes your blood to clot, a test called the prothrombin time may be administered to you. When someone has acute liver failure, their blood doesn’t clot as rapidly as it normally would.
What kind of treatment is there for liver failure?
- Medication – Acetylcysteine
- Liver transplant
- Supportive care – In the event that a virus is responsible for your liver failing, a hospital will be able to treat your symptoms until the virus has run its course. In these kinds of situations, the liver can occasionally recover on its own.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Liver Failure?
- Maintain good hygiene. Make sure to fully wash your hands after using the restroom because germs are frequently spread via hands. Additionally, prior to handling any food, wash your hands.
- To prevent hepatitis A and B, get an immunoglobulin shot or the hepatitis vaccine.
- Never exchange personal hygiene products, such as razors and toothbrushes.
- If you are on acetaminophen, stay away from alcohol.
- Make certain that the environment is sterile and that all the tools are aseptic before getting a tattoo or body piercing (free of disease-causing germs).
- Don’t share needles with anyone if you inject illegal narcotics.
- When having sex, be sure to utilize barrier protection (condoms).
- Eat foods from all the food groups as part of a balanced diet.