A disorder characterized by the inability of the liver to metabolize chemicals in the body. Causes include cirrhosis and drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Signs and symptoms include jaundice and encephalopathy. Laboratory test results reveal abnormal plasma levels of ammonia, bilirubin, lactic dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase
Symptoms of Liver Failure
The following features are indicative of Liver Failure:
pain in the upper right abdomen
vomiting
abdominal swelling
jaundice
nausea
sleepiness
malaise
confusion
It is possible that Liver Failure shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Liver Failure
The following are the most common causes of Liver Failure:
poisonous wild mushroom Amanita phalloides
autoimmune hepatitis
acetaminophen overdose
antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anticonvulsants
Budd-Chiari syndrome
sepsis
Other Causes of Liver Failure
The following are the less common causes of Liver Failure:
shock
Wilson's disease
chronic alcohol use
obesity
Risk Factors for Liver Failure
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Liver Failure:
heavy alcohol use
body piercings
exposure to other people's blood and body fluids
injecting drugs using shared needles
unprotected sex
exposure to certain chemicals or toxins
diabetes
obesity
high levels of triglycerides in your blood
Prevention of Liver Failure
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Liver Failure. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
by avoiding contact with other people's blood and body fluids
by using medications wisely
by drinking alcohol in moderation
by maintaining a healthy weight
get vaccinated against liver diseases
Occurrence of Liver Failure
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Liver Failure cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Liver Failure can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Liver Failure can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Liver Failure
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Liver Failure:
Blood tests: To assess the liver disease
Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scanning: To detect liver damage and the cause of liver problems
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): To determine the certain causes of acute liver failure
Liver biopsy: To diagnose liver disease
Doctor for Diagnosis of Liver Failure
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Liver Failure:
Hepatologist
Complications of Liver Failure if untreated
Yes, Liver Failure causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Liver Failure is left untreated:
excessive bleeding
kidney failure
bleeding disorders
cerebral edema
Procedures for Treatment of Liver Failure
The following procedures are used to treat Liver Failure:
Surgery: Treats the liver diseases
Liver transplant: By replacing the diseased liver with a healthy one
Xenotransplantation: Replaces the human liver with one from a nonhuman animal source
Hepatocyte transplantation: Transplants only the cells of the liver and temporarily delay the need for a liver transplant
Self-care for Liver Failure
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Liver Failure:
Alcohol use: By limiting alcohol use
Overweight: By not to be overweight
Patient Support for Treatment of Liver Failure
The following actions may help Liver Failure patients:
Social support: Helps in providing awareness about the disease and discussing advance directives with patients pursuing curative therapies
Caregiver support: Helps in discussing goals of care
Is Liver Failure Infectious?
Yes, Liver Failure is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
by sharing razor blades or toothbrushes
accidental needle sticks or improper cleanup of blood or body fluids