Liver failure is one of the most dangerous diseases that a person may ever suffer from, because its complications may be life-threatening. Therefore, you must be aware of the warning signs of it, to go to the doctor as soon as they appear.
In the following lines, “The Consulto” reviews everything related to liver failure, according to the “Clevelandclinic” website.
Also read: Signs of a healthy liver- 6 symptoms that tell you that it is healthy
What is liver failure?
A disease that makes the liver unable to work well or stop performing its vital functions, which includes:
Producing proteins, responsible for blood clotting, transporting oxygen throughout the body and strengthening the immune system.
Manufacture of bile, which helps digest food.
Helping the body store sugar in the form of glycogen.
– Purify the body from toxins.
Breaking down saturated fats and producing cholesterol.
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What are the types of liver failure?
There are two types of liver failure:
Chronic liver failure: It occurs gradually.
Acute liver failure: It occurs suddenly.
How can liver failure be detected?
It is difficult to detect chronic liver failure in its early stages, because it develops over years, and its symptoms are very similar to other health problems, including:
Fatigue.
Nausea.
Bloody vomiting.
– Anorexia.
– diarrhoea.
– The appearance of blood in the stool.
As chronic liver failure progresses, the above symptoms become more severe, and are accompanied by the following problems:
– jaundice
extreme fatigue
Confusion.
Fluid retention in the abdomen.
Swelling of the extremities.
While the symptoms of acute liver failure are:
– bleeding.
– Bad smell from the mouth.
Movement difficulties.
– Anorexia.
– malaise.
– jaundice
Changes in mental status.
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Are there people at greater risk of liver failure?
Liver failure puts some people at greater risk than others, including:
Those who have a chronic liver infection, such as the COP virus.
– Alcoholics.
People with hemochromatosis: a disease that causes the body to absorb too much iron.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
People with autoimmune diseases.
Wilson’s disease: A disease in which the body is unable to get rid of excess copper.
Those who overuse some medications, such as antibiotics and antidepressants.
Also read: Essential tips for preventing liver failure
What are the ways to diagnose liver failure?
After evaluating the symptoms and examining the family history, the patient’s doctor undergoes a set of examinations, the most important of which are:
– Blood analysis.
Urinalysis.
Abdominal imaging.
Is liver failure treatable?
The treatment of liver failure varies from patient to patient, depending on its type, as shown below:
1- Treatment of chronic liver failure
– Quit drinking alcohol.
Avoid medications that harm the health of the liver.
Follow a healthy diet that contains less red meat, cheese and eggs.
Loss of excess weight.
– Reducing salt added to food.
2- Treatment of acute liver failure
Intravenous fluids, to maintain blood pressure.
– Laxatives or enemas, to flush toxins out of the body.
Blood transfusion in case of bleeding.
Please be aware that in some cases, the patient can only be saved by a liver transplant.
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What happens if liver failure is not treated?
If liver failure is left untreated, the patient may experience:
– infection.
– Deficiency of electrolytes “minerals” in the body.
Acute bleeding.
– Death.
