Acute Liver Failure

What Is Acute Liver Failure?

The liver is one of the most vital organs in the human body performing various critical functions required for sustaining a healthy life. The cells of liver performing these functions are known as hepatocytes. When the functional capacity of these cells is rapidly reduced - within a few days- the condition is known as acute liver failure. Acute liver failure is also termed as fulminant hepatic failure. It is also to be noted that the patient with acute liver failure does not suffer from any liver disease in the past. Various treatment options are available to manage acute liver failure. Untreated acute liver failure may lead to serious and life-threatening complications.

What Are The Symptoms Of Acute Liver Failure?

In the initial stage of the acute liver, failure patient experienced mild symptoms. However, as the condition progresses, the severity of symptoms increases. Following are some of the common symptoms experienced by patients suffering from acute liver failure:

• Jaundice (Yellowing of skin and eyes)
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Bleeding
• Weight loss
• Indigestion
• Swelling in abdomen
• Sleepiness
• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Mental confusion

What Are The Causes Of Acute Liver Failure?

In almost one-third of the cases, the cause of the acute liver failure remains unknown. Following are some of the common causes of acute liver failure:

Paracetamol overdose: Paracetamol overdose is one of the most common reasons for acute liver failure. The excess paracetamol leads to the formation of toxic substance in the liver leading to liver failure.

Alcohol overconsumption: People who drink a large quantity of alcohol for a prolonged period may also develop acute liver failure.

Hepatic Cancer: Cancerous cells reduces the number of hepatocytes leading to the reduced functional capacity of the liver.

Exposure to toxins: Exposure to various toxins such as carbon tetrachloride and eating wild mushrooms may also cause this condition.

Medications: Various prescription medication and herbal supplements also exert a negative effect on the liver leading to acute liver failure.

Other liver disorders: Liver cirrhosis may also lead to liver failure.

Malnutrition: Malnutrition is also a causative factor in developing acute liver failure.

How The Diagnosis Of Acute Liver Failure Done?

Diagnosis of acute liver failure is done through the following means:

Physical examination: Through physical examination, jaundice is analyzed by looking at the color of skin, eyes, and nails. Further, abdominal evaluation is done to identify hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and ascites.

Imaging technique: Abdominal ultrasound is done to evaluate the hepatic swelling as well as the extent of hepatic damage. Further, CT scan of the head is performed for accessing any sign of encephalopathy.

Blood tests: Various tests on the blood sample are performed to evaluate the functional capacity of the liver.

What Are The Treatment Options For Acute Liver Failure?

The treatment is generally directed to remove the cause of acute liver failure. For instance, if liver failure is due to any toxin or medications, medications are given to counter their effect. Further, hepatitis is treated with proper medications. In cases where acute liver failure is irreversible, a liver transplant is recommended.

Symptomatic treatment is also required in acute liver failure. Medications are administered to reduce cerebral edema while the risk of bleeding is also managed through medications.

What Are The Complications Of Acute Liver Failure?

Following are some of the complications of acute liver failure:

• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Increased bleeding
• Infections
• Cerebral edema
• Failure of vital organs such as kidney