Information on Liver Failure
Information on Liver Failure
Liver failure occurs when large parts of the liver become damaged beyond repair and the liver is no longer able to function.
Liver failure is a life-threatening condition that demands urgent medical care. Most often, liver failure occurs gradually and over many years. However, a more rare condition known as acute liver failure occurs rapidly (in as little as 48 hours) and can be difficult to detect initially.
Silent No More: Get Help for Your Hemorrhoids
Need relief for painful, itchinghemorrhoids? Better yet, how would you like to prevent flare-ups in the first place?About 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectum or around the anus. They can be internal or external.External hemorrhoids more commonly cause symptoms of pain and itching when irritated. Internal hemorrhoids generally are painless but can cause bleeding. "They can cause bright red rectal bleeding, but if you have bleeding, don't assume it's...
Read the Silent No More: Get Help for Your Hemorrhoids article > >
The most common causes of chronic liver failure (where the liver fails over months to years) include:
The causes of acute liver failure, when the liver fails rapidly, however, are often different. These include:
The initial symptoms of liver failure are often ones that can be due to any number or conditions. Because of this, liver failure may be initially difficult to diagnose. Early symptoms include:
However, as liver failure progresses, the symptoms become more serious, requiring urgent care. These symptoms include:
If detected early enough, acute liver failure caused by an overdose of acetaminophen can sometimes be treated and its effects reversed. Likewise, if a virus causes liver failure, supportive care can be given at a hospital to treat the symptoms until the virus runs its course. In these cases, the liver will sometimes recover on its own.
For liver failure that is the result of long-term deterioration, the initial treatment goal may be to save whatever part of the liver is still functioning. If this is not possible, then a liver transplant is required. Fortunately, liver transplant is a common procedure that is often successful.
Liver failure is a life-threatening condition that demands urgent medical care. Most often, liver failure occurs gradually and over many years. However, a more rare condition known as acute liver failure occurs rapidly (in as little as 48 hours) and can be difficult to detect initially.
Recommended Related to Digestive Disorders
Silent No More: Get Help for Your Hemorrhoids
Need relief for painful, itchinghemorrhoids? Better yet, how would you like to prevent flare-ups in the first place?About 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectum or around the anus. They can be internal or external.External hemorrhoids more commonly cause symptoms of pain and itching when irritated. Internal hemorrhoids generally are painless but can cause bleeding. "They can cause bright red rectal bleeding, but if you have bleeding, don't assume it's...
Read the Silent No More: Get Help for Your Hemorrhoids article > >
What Causes Liver Failure?
The most common causes of chronic liver failure (where the liver fails over months to years) include:
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Long-term alcohol consumption
- Cirrhosis
- Hemochromatosis (an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron)
- Malnutrition
The causes of acute liver failure, when the liver fails rapidly, however, are often different. These include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose
- Viruses including hepatitis A, B, and C (especially in children)
- Reactions to certain prescription and herbal medications
- Ingestion of poisonous wild mushrooms
What Are the Symptoms of Liver Failure?
The initial symptoms of liver failure are often ones that can be due to any number or conditions. Because of this, liver failure may be initially difficult to diagnose. Early symptoms include:
However, as liver failure progresses, the symptoms become more serious, requiring urgent care. These symptoms include:
- Jaundice
- Bleeding easily
- Swollen abdomen
- Mental disorientation or confusion (known as hepatic encephalopathy)
- Sleepiness
- Coma
How Is Liver Failure Treated?
If detected early enough, acute liver failure caused by an overdose of acetaminophen can sometimes be treated and its effects reversed. Likewise, if a virus causes liver failure, supportive care can be given at a hospital to treat the symptoms until the virus runs its course. In these cases, the liver will sometimes recover on its own.
For liver failure that is the result of long-term deterioration, the initial treatment goal may be to save whatever part of the liver is still functioning. If this is not possible, then a liver transplant is required. Fortunately, liver transplant is a common procedure that is often successful.
Source...