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All About Liver Failure

March 28, 2019

All About Liver Failure
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A life-threatening condition for which urgent medical attention is required, liver failure results over many years. After one suffers from several liver diseases, the patient’s condition culminates in liver failure. However, though liver failure is rare, what’s rarer is an acute liver failure which gallops in the space of about 48 hours and is difficult to diagnose initially.

Causes

Liver failure results when large portions of the liver are damaged so badly that they cannot be repaired and the liver cannot function normally. Its causes include:

  • Overdose of Acetaminophen
  • Hepatitis A, B and E; the Epstein-Barr virus; herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus
  • Cirrhosis
  • Reactions to some medication and herbal preparations
  • Eating wild and poisonous mushrooms
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Wilson’s disease
  • Acute fatty liver during pregnancy
  • Septic shock
  • Budd Chiari syndrome
  • Industrial toxins

Types

There are two types of live failure:

  • Acute: In this condition, the liver stops functioning normally within a matter of a few days or weeks.
  • Chronic: Liver damage builds up over time and ultimately the organ stops functioning.

Symptoms

The initial symptoms of liver failure resemble those of other liver diseases. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose it correctly. Its early symptoms include:

  • Hepatitis A, B, and C that affects the liver
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhoea
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • As liver damage increases, its symptoms become more chronic and demand immediate medical attention. The chronic condition shows up these symptoms:
  • Swollen stomach
  • Jaundice
  • Bleeding easily
  • Mental confusion
  • Sleepiness

Diagnosis

The doctor will advise the following tests:

  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests including ultrasound, CT scans and MRI
  • Biopsy

Treatment

Treatment of liver failure comprises:

  • Medication: If liver failure is caused by an overdose of acetaminophen, it can be treated by Acetylcysteine.
  • Liver transplant: If liver failure is due to protracted organ damage, the first line of treatment is to save as much of the liver as possible. If that doesn’t work, go in for a liver transplant.
  • Supportive care: If liver failure is caused due to a virus, the virus can be treated at a hospital.

Prevention

To prevent liver failure, use these prevention methods to limit the chances of getting hepatitis or cirrhosis:

  • Prevent hepatitis A and B by taking a hepatitis vaccine.
  • Eat nutritious food.
  • Stick to your ideal weight.
  • Limit alcohol intake.
  • Be hygienic in your daily life.
  • Keep your toiletries, hairbrushes, razors and toothbrushes to yourself. Don’t share them.

Why Rela Hospital

Advantages/Expertise

Nothing could be more damaging than liver failure—without a properly functioning liver, one cannot lead a normal life. At Dr Rela Hospital, Chennai, we ensure that the best liver failure treatment is given to all patients.

At our institute, this is easily possible, thanks to our teams of hepatic surgeons, oncologists and other specialists, apart from nursing and allied staff members. These internationally trained medical experts are familiar with the latest techniques of liver failure, thereby making the Dr Rela Institute the best Liver Failure Treatment Hospital in Chennai.

The teams of liver specialists in this hospital are headed by Dr Rela, himself a world-renowned Liver Failure Treatment Specialist in India. Under his guidance, the hospital offers the widest range of medical treatment to not just liver failure patients but also other disciplines in this multidisciplinary hospital.

Over the years, this hospital has earned the respect of patients who have gone home fully recovered. No wonder they have labelled this medical centre as the best Liver Transplantation Hospital in Chennai India.

To know more about this hospital, call for an appointment on +91 9384681770

Disclaimer: We recommend consulting a Doctor before taking any action based on the above shared information.


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Department

Hepatology

Hepatology

Liver Disease & Transplantation

Liver Disease & Transplantation

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