Liver Disease and Failure 101

Your liver plays a very important role in your internal organ system. Hence, it is important to ensure that it remains functional and is working efficiently. But what happens when one suffers from liver failure? This is one of the most common liver disease that most people suffer and it is therefore important to learn about the causes, symptoms, and other factors that influence acquisition of liver failure.

What is Liver Failure?

Liver failure happens when the larger parts of your liver suffer from damage to the extent that it can no longer be repaired. Hence, the liver is incapable of performing its basic function. Doctors have dubbed it as a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention to ensure that an individual's health is not put at risk. This type of liver disease does not happen in an instant. It is a result of gradual damage and usually do not manifest its symptoms until after several years.

There is another form of liver failure that is a bit rare. It is known as acute liver failure. This one takes place rapidly and can be manifested within as short as 48 hours. However, it is also difficult to diagnose initially.

Common Causes

Now, the bigger question that an individual needs to know about liver failure to help in the prevention effort is the cause. What factors could contribute for one to suffer from liver failure? Below are just some of the causes:

• Hepatitis B and/or C
• Too much alcohol consumption
• Malnutrition
• Consumption of poisonous wild mushroom species
• Overdose of Tylenol or Acetaminophen
• Cirrhosis
• Contraindication to certain medications
• Hemochromatosis

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms for liver failure are categorized into two: symptoms for early and advanced liver failure. The symptoms for each stage of this condition vary greatly, which is why it is important to look into each of them closely.

The common symptoms of initial liver failure include appetite loss, diarrhea, nausea, and feeling of fatigue. Meanwhile, advanced cases of liver failure is a far more serious condition that include the following symptoms: vulnerable to bleeding, sense of confusion or disorientation, sleepiness, jaundice, swollen abdomen, and coma.

As soon as any of the above symptoms are manifested, it is important to visit your doctor right away. Hence, he could assess the extent of your liver failure damage and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Is It Treatable?

Now that you understand the possible causes of liver disease and failure, the next step to consider is treatment process. But is this disease curable? It is important to have yourself properly diagnosed by an expert medical practitioner to determine the cause for your liver failure. Once you identify the cause, only then can a treatment plan be determined.

If left untreated, liver disease and failure will continue to deteriorate your system. Hence, early diagnosis and treatment is important to save the remaining functional areas of your liver from further damage. If the entire part of your liver has been damaged, then liver transplant is the only treatment option available. Thankfully though, several liver transplants have been successful.