Liver Failure – It’s Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Hepatic failure, or liver failure, is a life-threatening medical illness. The liver is an essential organ in our body that performs various duties like filtering alcohol and other hazardous compounds from the blood, combating infections, and genetics. You and your body can suffer catastrophic damage if you have liver failure. Viruses, infections, and toxic substances are all potential causes of liver failure. As a result, it is critical to look after one’s liver.

Everything you need to know about liver failure, including the phases, symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

There are two types of liver failure: acute and chronic. Acute liver failure occurs suddenly and lasts for a short time, whereas chronic liver failure develops progressively over time. The phases of liver failure are as follows:

1. Inflammation– When the liver is swollen or inflamed, it is in the early stages of liver failure. One may or may not have any experience with this. However, if the inflammation persists, the liver may suffer severe damage.
2. Fibrosis– Liver scarring can occur as a result of increased inflammation. Scar tissue forms in the healthy liver, causing the liver’s normal function to be disrupted. Fibrosis signs are often difficult to identify.
3. Cirrhosis– Scarring becomes worse at this stage. There are far fewer healthy liver tissues present, and the liver’s function continues to decrease. Previously undetectable symptoms are now evident.
4. End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is a catch-all term for a variety of liver diseases. People with ELSD have cirrhosis, which means their liver function is severely impaired. In this stage, liver failure and jaundice are common. This is due to the liver’s inability to eliminate enough bilirubin from the blood, resulting in skin yellowing.
5. Cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells in the liver develop fast. Cirrhosis patients are frequently at risk of acquiring cancer.

Symptoms of liver failure- 

For acute liver failure-

Acute liver failure can happen to persons who don’t have any liver problems. It usually takes a few days to develop. Acute liver failure is an uncommon occurrence that necessitates immediate medical treatment. Some of the signs and symptoms include:

1. Skin and ocular yellowness (jaundice)
2. Ascites (abdominal swelling)
3. Pain in the upper right abdomen
4. Vomiting or nausea.
5. Perplexity or disorientation
6. Sleepiness

For chronic liver failure-

Chronic liver failure affects a large number of people and develops over time. The following are some of the early signs of liver failure:

1. Fatigue
2. Appetite loss.
3. Pain in the abdomen
4. Nausea or vomiting

The symptoms may intensify with time. The following are some symptoms that may appear in the latter stages of the disease:

1. Jaundice
2. Fluid accumulation in the belly or the extremities – arms or legs
3. Exhaustion to the max
4. Confusion or disorientation

Several nutrients may be lost as a result of significant symptoms like jaundice, nausea, and tiredness. Seek nutrition counseling services to assist you in making up for the nutrients you’ve lost.

Liver failure Causes –

Acute liver failure that lasts a few days can be caused by many things. The following are some of the possible causes:

1. Hepatitis (A, B, or E) and the Epstein-Barr virus are examples of viral illnesses.
2. Wilson’s disease is an example of a medical condition.
3. Herbal drugs that attack liver cells can cause reactions.
4. NSAIDs, antibiotics, and other medications might cause adverse reactions.
5. Hepatitis with Autoimmune Complications
6. Poisonous mushrooms are consumed.

Over time, chronic liver failure develops. It can potentially result in liver cirrhosis. 

1. Long-term alcohol or drug addiction is one of the causes of liver failure.
2. Non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease is a condition in which the liver becomes fatty
3. Hepatitis B or C (chronic hepatitis)
4. Hepatitis with Autoimmune Complications

Liver failure Treatment – 

Although liver failure is a life-threatening medical illness, it is curable. You should see your primary care physician if you see any early signs of liver failure. If there are any concerns, they may also refer you to a hepatologist.

With the right drugs, liver failure can be cured. Your hepatologist will prescribe medications to help you recover from poisonous mushrooms or other poisons. If the liver is severely damaged, they may recommend and perform liver transplant surgery. The diseased section of the liver is removed and replaced with a healthy one during a liver transplant procedure. This treatment is frequently safe and effective.

It’s not uncommon for liver and renal failure to develop at the same time. As a result, professional help is required. For your liver treatment, seek advice from the top hepatologist.

Because prevention is always preferable to cure, knowing how to preserve liver health is always preferable. A healthy liver requires a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle and no alcohol usage, among other things.