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What is liver failure?
Liver failure occurs when large parts of the liver become damaged beyond
repair and the liver is no longer able to function.
Liver failure is a life-threatening condition that demands urgent medical
care. Most often liver failure occurs gradually and over many years. However, a
more rare condition known as acute liver failure occurs rapidly (in as little as
48 hours) and can be difficult to detect initially.
What causes liver failure?
The most common causes of liver failure are:
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Long term, excessive alcohol consumption
- Cirrhosis
- Hemochromatosis
- Malnutrition
The causes of acute liver failure, however, are often different. These
include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose - this is one of the most common
causes of acute liver failure
- Viruses including hepatitis A, B, and C (especially in children)
- Reactions to certain prescription medications
- Ingestion of poisonous wild mushrooms
What are the symptoms of liver failure?
The initial symptoms of liver failure are often ones that can be due to any
number or conditions. Because of this, liver failure may initially difficult to
diagnose. Among these early symptoms are:
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
However, as liver failure progresses, the symptoms become more serious,
indicating that urgent treatment is required. These symptoms include:
- Jaundice
- Bleeding easily
- Swollen abdomen
- Mental disorientation or confusion (known as hepatic encephalopathy)
- Sleepiness
- Coma
How is liver failure treated?
If detected early enough, acute liver failure caused by an overdose of
acetaminophen can sometimes be treated and its effects reversed. Likewise, if a
virus causes liver failure, supportive care can be given at a hospital to treat
the symptoms until the virus runs its course. In these cases, the liver can then
sometimes recover on its own. For liver failure that is the result of long-term
deterioration, the initial focus may be on saving whatever part of the liver is
still functioning. If this is not possible, the only way to save a patient’s
life is for him or her to receive a transplant. Fortunately, liver transplants
are a common procedure that is often successful. Approximately 75 percent of patients
who receive a liver transplant survive more than 10 years.
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