Liver failure

Liver failure is a life-threatening condition that demands urgent medical care. It often occurs in people who have had a liver disease for a long time. However, liver failure can also happen rapidly, in as little as 48 hours. It's often a complication of other health problems, notably cirrhosis, a result of long-term, chronic liver disease.

Causes

Liver failure is caused by any condition that damages the liver. Among these are the following:

• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Long-term alcohol consumption
• Cirrhosis
• Hemochromatosis
• Malnutrition

Symptoms

The initial symptoms of liver failure are often ones that can be due to any number or conditions. Because of this, liver failure may be initially difficult to diagnose. Early symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea

However, as liver failure progresses, the symptoms become more serious, requiring urgent care. These include:

• Jaundice
• Bleeding easily
• Swollen abdomen
• Mental disorientation or confusion (known as hepatic encephalopathy)
• Sleepiness
• Coma

Diagnosis

Doctors typically use some combination of blood tests, imaging tests, and an examination of a small sample of liver tissue (liver biopsy) to diagnose liver failure.

Treatment

Treatment usually involves controlling the symptoms, preventing complications and allowing the liver time to heal. In severe cases, a liver transplant might be necessary.

See also

• Cirrhosis
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Hemochromatosis