Liver failure or liver insufficiency is the term used to describe the complete loss of function of the human liver, which, depending on its specific form and cause, can lead to the death of the affected person after only a few weeks.
What is liver failure?
As one of the largest organs in humans responsible for metabolism, the liver has several functions that are essential for survival. These include, for example, the storage of essential substances such as fat-soluble vitamins, the detoxification of the body, and the conversion of sugar molecules. Liver failure would thus have serious consequences for the functioning of the human body. In view of the various causes that may be involved, different forms are differentiated; namely, acute and chronic liver failure and, as an intermediate form, the subacute form. The acute form occurs abruptly and leads to severe functional failure of the liver within a few days of onset. As a rule of thumb, patients who are not treated quickly enough lose their liver after just four weeks, with the result that it has to be surgically removed. There is also chronic liver failure, which develops over a longer period of time. Sometimes several years can pass before the first noticeable dysfunctions and finally the failure of the liver become apparent. Since, due to the different causes and triggers of liver failure, the respective courses may vary, subacute liver failure is still recognized as an intermediate form of acute and chronic liver failure.
Causes
A wide variety of causes can be considered as possible causes. In acute liver failure, infection with specific viruses is often to blame for the onset of the disease. These include the hepatitis viruses and some herpes simplex viruses. However, it is not always only pathogenic viruses that play a role. Rather, poisoning of the body with drugs is also a possible cause. In particular, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and those types of alcohol that are not suitable for consumption can lead to severe damage to the liver and even liver failure. Chronic liver failure, on the other hand, is rarely caused by acute viral infections. Here, there is often an underlying disease that also affects the liver and, in extreme cases, can lead to functional failure of the liver.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
There are a variety of signs of disease that may indicate liver failure. These may occur sporadically or in combination and increase in intensity as the causative disease progresses. In the early stages, liver failure is manifested by dizziness, loss of appetite and fatigue, among other symptoms. Those affected also notice a swollen abdomen and suffer from diarrhea and vomiting. As the disease progresses, jaundice sets in. External changes then develop, such as yellow skin, sunken eye sockets and a generally sickly appearance. The whites of the eyes (sclera) are also typical. Subsequently, changes in facial expression also set in – the facial features change and the eyelids begin to flutter conspicuously. Associated with this, [[edema9]s form in the arms and legs. This is accompanied by a decrease in mental performance. The affected person can no longer concentrate, becomes tired quickly and repeatedly falls asleep quite suddenly. In addition, blood coagulation disorders occur, which can be recognized by reddish bleeding under the skin. Eventually, liver failure leads to renal failure or hepatic coma. The patient eventually dies from the organ failure.
Diagnosis and progression
If there is reasonable suspicion of liver failure or even just liver dysfunction, a number of diagnostic measures are available to the treating physician. The simplest measure, which also has the fewest side effects, is palpation of the right side of the abdomen, where the liver is located, and imaging of the liver by nonradiographic ultrasound. Since in the case of liver failure the liver enlarges significantly, this circumstance may be a reason for the physician to perform further examinations. If the cause is a hepatitis infection, the skin of the affected person turns yellow, which can also be considered as a starting point for the doctor. It is also known that the liver is responsible for the conversion of sugar molecules.Conversely, this means that if the patient’s blood work indicates hypoglycemia, there could be evidence of liver dysfunction in the regulation of sugar conversion, which would further raise the suspicion of liver failure.
Complications
In the worst cases, liver failure can lead to the death of the affected person. In this complaint, the affected person primarily suffers from severe jaundice and bile stasis. In this case, the eyes and skin turn yellow, directly indicating liver failure. For this reason, a quick diagnosis can also be made in most cases. There is an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Furthermore, liver failure can also lead to kidney failure, in which the affected person usually also dies after a few days if this is not treated. Patients are then dependent on dialysis or a kidney transplant. Likewise, the legs and arms may tremble, and it is not uncommon for the affected person to suffer from fever. The patient’s quality of life decreases considerably as a result of liver failure. Usually, liver failure requires transplantation of a liver. Until then, the functions of the liver are maintained with artificial machines. Usually, no particular complications occur in this process. However, even with transplantation, the course of the disease is not completely positive in every case. In many cases, the life expectancy of those affected is significantly reduced due to liver failure.
When should you go to the doctor?
People who repeatedly suffer from dizziness, vomiting, nausea, or a general feeling of malaise should see a doctor. If there is a loss of appetite, a drop in usual performance levels, and an increased need for sleep, a visit to the doctor is necessary. If there is swelling at the level of the stomach or changes in the appearance of the skin, there is cause for concern. A yellowish appearance indicates an irregularity that should be investigated. If edema develops or if irregularities in bowel movements are noted, observations should be discussed with a physician. Disturbances in circulation, cold limbs, or interruptions in heart rhythm should be investigated and treated. Changes in the eyes or facial expressions should be taken as a warning sign from the organism. Therefore, if there is a whitening of the eyes or conspicuousness of the usual facial features, a physician should be consulted immediately. Twitching and trembling of the eyelids should be presented to a doctor as soon as the symptoms persist for several days or weeks. Changes in memory are also of concern. If there is a disturbance in memory or an inability to recall acquired knowledge, a doctor must be seen urgently. Since liver failure can be fatal, a doctor should be consulted at the first signs of health impairment. If pain sets in, sleep disturbances or a sickly appearance occur, a visit to the doctor is advisable.
Treatment and therapy
First and foremost, the most important thing about treating liver failure is that it must be done promptly. If the liver has already completely given up its functions, any treatment will revolve around preserving life. This is because once liver tissue has been damaged, it can no longer be regenerated. The sole aim is therefore to artificially maintain the vital functions of the liver using medical instruments until the patient receives a replacement liver transplant from a donor. In order to preserve the organism, the patient must abstain from ordinary food. Since the human gastrointestinal tract is closely connected to the liver, any digestive process would strain the liver, which is no longer functional anyway and would therefore only further aggravate the course of the disease. Essential substances that the body needs are injected directly into the bloodstream by infusion. The regulated supply through infusions can also keep the sugar balance at a normal level, which is otherwise the responsibility of the liver. It is also important to note that in liver failure, brain edema can form, water accumulation on the central nervous system. Therefore, the patient’s brain must also be permanently monitored.
Outlook and prognosis
The liver realizes vital metabolic functions in the human organism. These cannot be taken over by other organs. If the liver fails, threatening conditions can occur.If treatment does not take place immediately, the prognosis is poor. Statistically, a young age of the patient and a low level of underlying disease are indicative of better chances of recovery. A susceptibility to liver failure can be found in people who take the wrong medications. Chemotherapy can also play its part. Those who eat an unhealthy diet also contribute to liver disease. In about half of all cases, only a transplant provides relief from the suffering. Affected patients maintain their vital function via dialysis. Scientists have classified the duration of liver failure. While fulminant liver failure lasts a maximum of one week, chronic liver failure is the maximum possible. Patients then suffer from the disease for months. According to the classification, the threatening nature of liver failure also increases. The typical signs increase. Non-treatment inevitably leads to a poisoning process in the body. Damaged tissue parts of the liver always have a negative effect. This is because they can no longer be regenerated.
Prevention
Liver failure is one of the diseases that can be relatively well prevented. This includes, for example, hepatitis vaccinations to prevent the outbreak of the disease even when infected with hepatitis viruses. Furthermore, damage to the liver and thus liver failure can be successfully prevented by abstaining from drugs as well as responsible use of alcohol.
Aftercare
In most cases, there are no special aftercare options available to the person affected by liver failure. It is a serious condition that must be treated by a physician. If liver failure is not treated, the death of the affected person usually occurs. Therefore, patients should contact a doctor at the first signs and symptoms of this disease. However, liver failure cannot always be cured, so in many cases there is no need for further follow-up care once the affected person dies as a result of the failure. In most cases, patients with this disease are dependent on a liver transplant. At the same time, the affected person should definitely rest and take care of his body after such a procedure. Strenuous or physical activities should be avoided in any case in order not to delay the healing process. As a rule, a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet also has a positive effect on the preservation of the liver. Alcohol should also be avoided so as not to stress the liver. In many cases, however, liver failure significantly reduces the life expectancy of the affected person.
This is what you can do yourself
To prevent liver failure from occurring in the first place, substances and foods that could harm the liver should be avoided. Those who already suffer from liver disease should avoid drugs that damage the organ. When picking mushrooms, the following applies: do not eat unknown mushrooms. If the liver nevertheless becomes diseased, the sufferer must take it easy. In cooperation with the doctor or a nutritionist, a relief diet can be worked out. The diet should contain mainly plant-based foods such as artichokes, dandelion, Brussels sprouts and sage. Dark chocolate may also be eaten with the approval of a medical professional, as cocoa lowers blood pressure and relieves the typical discomfort following liver disease. Despite all these measures, acute liver failure can occur. In this case, the emergency services should be alerted immediately. The patient must then be treated in a specialized center. If the patient’s condition progresses well, surgery, a strict diet and physiotherapeutic measures can be used to slowly return him or her to everyday life. Since acute liver failure is a life-threatening condition, consequential damage always remains – this is where talking to a therapist and other sufferers can help.
