Early symptoms of liver failure – Part 1

It is so easy to take the liver for granted, until there is a problem. It is the largest organ in the body, and responsible for many functions. It aids in digestion, provides a filter (and a process of elimination) for toxic substances in the blood, contributes to energy levels, helps fight infection, and makes essential proteins.

When the liver fails, it generally occurs gradually, over a long period of time. However, acute liver failure can also occur, sometimes in the span of 48 hours.

Often people have no advanced knowledge of liver failure, until there is very little function left. Sometimes there may just be a feeling of fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and mild weight loss. One of the first signals that something may be wrong, is tenderness and enlargement of the liver, though sometimes there will be no symptoms of inflammation. Some of the earliest warning signs are nausea and vomiting, a feeling of weakness and lethargy, light colored stools, diarrhea, portal hypertension, itching of the skin, a swollen abdomen, an enlarged gall bladder, edema (fluid build up), severe bleeding (due to a lack of clotting substances), anemia, bruising, low white blood cell count, dark urine, muscle tremors and twitches, seizures, drowsiness, brain problems, memory problems, confusion, and coma. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and a bright red complexion and palms, may also appear, as well as cholestasis (reduction or cessation of bile flow.) Increased thirst and frequent urination can also occur.

As the inflammation of the liver continues, it often develops scar tissue, which replaces liver tissue. This is called fibrosis. This fibrous tissue can obstruct blood flow in the liver, and decrease its efficiency.

When the liver is unable to heal itself, (and the adverse effects cannot be reversed) the condition is called Cirrhosis.

As the liver continues to fail, the person will experience more serious symptoms. This is when disorientation, dementia, coma and death can occur. It is a life-threatening situation, requiring immediate medical assistance.

Diagnostic procedures are liver function tests, ultrasound, CT scan, and liver biopsy. Failure of the liver can be caused by drug induced problems, viruses, excessive alcohol abuse, drug allergy, hepatitis B and C, malnutrition, ingestion of poisonous wild mushrooms, Cirrhosis, Hemochromatosis, and other causes. In the U. S., the most common drug cause of liver failure is acetaminophen (commonly referred to by the brand name of Tylenol.) Drug induced liver failure can most often be stopped, by removal of the offending drug, though some patients can develop chronic liver disease, leading to liver failure, and some drugs can cause irreversible liver damage.

Because the liver is an amazing organ, that can sometimes heal itself, every effort is made to save the part of the liver, that is still functioning. However, when this fails, the only solution may be a liver transplant.

Sources: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/ disorders/Cirrhosis/hic_Liver_ Failure.aspx

http://www.ehow.com/how_200252 2_symptoms-liver-disease.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/dru g_induced_liver_disease/articl e.htm

http://www.mamashealth.com/liv er/lfailure.asp

http://www.liverfoundation.org /education/info/progression

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec1 0/ch135/ch135a.html

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