The liver is important for various essential functions of the body such as removing toxins, regulating cholesterol level, help blood to clot and releasing bile that helps with digestion. When a liver failure occurs, its essential functions are lost which can present life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical care. There are two forms of liver failure, acute and chronic.
Acute liver failure
This is the condition when the liver loses its function rapidly within days or weeks that can develop among individuals with no pre-existing liver condition. This is a medical emergency that requires hospitalization as it can cause serious complications such as excessive bleeding and build-up of pressure in the brain. In some of the cases, this condition can be reversed with treatment. This can develop as the result of various causes such as excess alcohol consumption, infections such as hepatitis A or B, lack of blood supply to the liver and ingestion of poisons. The treatment usually focuses on treating the liver damage, controlling complications and ensuring the liver can heal.
Chronic liver failure
The chronic liver failure can occur as the result of several causes which in some cases can be prevented such as excessive alcohol consumption, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and viral hepatitis. Additional causes of chronic liver failure include autoimmune and metabolic conditions such as excess accumulation of iron in the body. It is estimated that cirrhosis and chronic liver failure is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Cirrhosis is the late stage of the scarring of the liver which naturally occurs in response to the damage of the liver. Each time the liver becomes injured, it repairs itself and develops scar tissue in the process. As the cirrhosis progresses, it makes it difficult for the liver to function.
Symptoms
The symptoms of liver failure include jaundice, generally feeling unwell, abdominal swelling, pain in the upper right abdomen and hepatic encephalopathy which is the brain dysfunction that occurs when the liver is unable to metabolize the toxins in the blood. They may experience fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and nausea. In addition, they can also develop complications of liver damage or cirrhosis such as enlarged veins in the lower esophagus and the stomach, enlarged spleen, gallstones, bleeding easily and liver cancer. The acute liver failure can also present serious complication such as cerebral edema which is the brain swelling associated with the problem in controlling the increased pressure of the skull.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is possible with the physical examination and the symptoms that are evident. The blood test can also evaluate the function of the liver and the possible cause. Additional tests may be necessary such as urine tests, other blood tests and chest x-rays. A liver biopsy may be required to evaluate the cause of liver failure.
Treatment
The treatment is based on the cause of the condition and the symptoms. The dietary changes will also be a part of the treatment that includes restricting animal protein, alcohol and sodium which can help prevent fluid accumulation in the abdomen. The acute liver failure requires immediate treatment as this condition can deteriorate fast. Some of the treatments include medications to lower blood pressure, antibiotics for infections or intravenous administration of glucose for low blood sugar. When the liver failure cannot be reversed, the only treatment is a liver transplant.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-failure/basics/treatment/con-20030966
http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/progression/
http://he123.liverfoundation.org/what-is-he/liver-failure-symptoms/
