Acute liver failure is defined as the loss of liver function that occurs suddenly within days or weeks in a person who does not have any prior liver disease. A hepatitis virus or medicines like acetaminophen are the most common causes. Acute liver failure is rarer than chronic liver failure, which takes longer to develop. Acute liver failure, often called fulminant hepatic failure can lead to significant complications such as excessive bleeding and increasing pressure in the brain. It’s a medical emergency that requires hospitalization. Acute liver failure can occasionally be treated and reversed, depending on the cause. However, in…
Acute liver failure is defined as the loss of liver function that occurs suddenly within days or weeks in a person who does not have any prior liver disease. A hepatitis virus or medicines like acetaminophen are the most common causes. Acute liver failure is rarer than chronic liver failure, which takes longer to develop. Acute liver failure, often called fulminant hepatic failure can lead to significant complications such as excessive bleeding and increasing pressure in the brain. It’s a medical emergency that requires hospitalization. Acute liver failure can occasionally be treated and reversed, depending on the cause. However, in many cases, a liver transplant may be the only option. Nausea, loss of appetite, and blood in the stool are some of the symptoms.
What Is Liver Failure?
The liver is the body’s second-largest organ. It performs several different functions. Everything you eat and drink is processed by your liver, which produces energy and nutrients for your body to use. It helps your body fight infection by filtering out toxic compounds from your blood, such as alcohol.
Your liver can be damaged by viruses or hazardous chemicals. If your liver is damaged you may get a liver failure, also known as a hepatic failure. The liver may eventually stop functioning properly in individuals who have liver disease.
Liver failure is a life-threatening condition. If you develop liver failure, receive treatment as soon as possible. There are two types of liver failure:
Acute Liver Failure: Acute liver failure is a rare condition. It occurs when your liver suddenly stops functioning and shows no symptoms. This frequently occurs after an overdose of medication or poisoning.
Chronic Liver Failure: Chronic liver failure develops more slowly than acute liver failure. Symptoms may not appear for months or even years.
When good liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, Liver cirrhosis will develop. It is a common cause of chronic liver failure. According to research, cirrhosis is most commonly caused by hepatitis C infection, excessive alcohol consumption, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Your liver gets inflamed as a result of chronic liver failure. Over time, this inflammation leads to the creation of scar tissue. Your liver eventually loses its normal range of function as your body replaces healthy tissue with scar tissue.
What Are the Symptoms of Acute Liver Failure?
It takes years for liver failure to manifest. The symptoms of liver failure often look like symptoms of other medical conditions, making it difficult to diagnose in its early stages. As your liver continues to deteriorate, your symptoms will worsen.
Chronic liver failure, also known as long-term liver failure, can result in the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Loss of Appetite
- Diarrhea
- Blood in vomiting
- stool with blood in it
As liver failure advances, symptoms become more severe. In later stages, symptoms of liver failure may include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Extreme exhaustion
- Disorientation (confusion and uncertainty)
- In the belly and extremities, there is an accumulation of fluid (arms and legs)
Acute liver failure is a condition in which the liver fails suddenly. The following are some of the symptoms that people with acute liver failure may experience:
- Bleeding
- Alterations in mental status
- Breath odor (musty or sweet)
- Problems with movement
- Appetite loss.
- A general feeling of being unwell
- Jaundice
What Are the Causes of Acute Liver Failure?
Acute liver failure can be caused by a variety of factors. Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever that can have an adverse effect on the liver’s function. This might happen if a child is given the wrong dose of medicine or if they are given too much medicine in a short period of time.
Other causes of acute liver failure are:
- Metabolic conditions (problems with the physical and chemical processes inside the liver that must happen for a person to live)
- Viruses and infections
- Immunological deficiency
- Cardiovascular problems (which cause a lack of blood supply to the liver)
- Cancer
- Certain herbal supplements
The causes of acute liver failure in infants are the following:
- Infections
- Drug/Toxins
- Cardiovascular
- Metabolic disease
- Immune Disorder
Hepatitis B and C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol addiction, and hemochromatosis are also a few of the diseases and disorders that cause liver failure.
Complications
Acute liver failure frequently results in complications, such as:
- Excessive fluid in the brain (cerebral edema)
- Bleeding disorders
- Infections
- Kidney failure
How Is Acute Liver Failure is Diagnosed?
Consult your doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms. If you have a history of alcohol abuse, genetic abnormalities, or other medical concerns, be sure to inform them.
The doctor diagnoses liver failure based on your symptoms, medical history, and test results (blood tests, urine tests, abdominal imaging).
Your doctor may prescribe medication to reverse the effects of drug poisoning, such as acetaminophen poisoning. If you have internal bleeding, your doctor may prescribe medication to stop it.
A biopsy is a frequent diagnostic for determining the extent of liver damage. A liver biopsy is a procedure in which your doctor removes a small bit of your liver to be evaluated in a lab.
If detected earlier enough, some liver damage can be reversed. The liver that has been injured may be able to heal itself. Medication might help in the healing process as well.
If you are overweight or eat a high-fat diet, you are more likely to get fatty liver disease. Making a lifestyle change, such as switching to a better diet, may be beneficial. If you have a liver impairment and consume alcohol, you must eliminate alcohol from your diet.