Liver failure, also known as hepatic failure, is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention. It is the inability of your liver to perform its metabolic and synthetic functions. Liver failure happens when large parts of the liver are damaged beyond repair and the liver cannot function any more. There are two types of liver failure, such as Acute liver failure and Chronic liver failure. Symptoms of liver failure include nausea, vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, jaundice, loss of appetite, swelling in the abdomen, etc.
Exposure to harmful substances, viruses, or certain chemicals leads to liver damage, which may later lead to liver failure if left untreated. Taking anti-viral medicines, immunosuppressive medications, changing your lifestyle, dialysis, and liver transplantations are the various methods available to manage liver failure.
The liver has various functions in the body, such as removing toxins from the blood, production of bile, production of energy from the food you eat, fighting against infections, involvement in blood clotting, etc. Liver failure, or hepatic failure, is a life-threatening condition in which the ability of your liver to perform its metabolic and synthetic functions is lost.
Liver failure symptoms can be categorized into two types based on the onset and progression of the condition: (a) Acute liver failure symptoms and (b) Chronic liver failure symptoms.
In acute liver failure, the liver stops working within a short period (within a day or a week). The people who develop acute liver failure do not have a history of liver diseases before. Symptoms of Acute liver failure may include:
In this condition, liver damage occurs over a period of time. Symptoms of Chronic liver failure may include:
Apart from this, here are the following symptoms of liver failure:
The following are certain methods to prevent liver failure:
Liver failure, also known as hepatic failure, is a condition in which your liver is unable to perform its normal functions. It is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention. People who get frequent hepatitis infections, people who consume too much alcohol, and medical conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and autoimmune disease that cause liver damage are at a higher risk of developing liver failure.
Maintaining a healthy body weight, stopping alcohol consumption, taking hepatitis preventive vaccinations, controlling diabetes, and hypertension, and regular healthcare checkups help to prevent liver diseases. Consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms of liver diseases such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, swelling in the abdomen, feet, and hands, bleeding, jaundice, etc. Early detection and adequate treatments help to control liver diseases and help you to lead a healthy life.
Remember to consult a Liver Specialist Doctor in Pune, Dr. Abhishek Yadav, for accurate diagnosis, personalized advice and proper management of liver health.
Q1: Is it possible to recover completely from liver failure?
A: If you follow treatment recommendations advised by your healthcare provider, you can regain your normal life. Treatment involves medications, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and ensuring regular follow-ups.
Q2: What happens if the liver stops functioning?
A: A liver failure (stopping of liver functioning) can affect many other organ functions in the body. It may cause infections, bleeding, electrolyte deficiencies, etc. If left untreated, it may even lead to death.
Q3: How do I know my liver is not working properly?
A: Acute liver failure can happen suddenly in a healthy individual. Consult your healthcare professional if you experience yellowing of your skin and eyes, swelling in the abdomen, disturbance in mental status, and swelling in extremities.
