Symptoms of liver failure

Acute liver failure shows a classic symptom triad of icterus (yellowing of the skin and sclerae), coagulation disorders and disturbances of consciousness. These symptom triad results from the fact that the metabolic functions of the liver can no longer be maintained. In addition to these symptom triad, there are also numerous other clinical signs indicating liver failure.

In the following, the nature and development of the symptoms will be discussed in more detail. Cancer can also lead to liver failure. Indications of cancer are symptoms that persist over a long period of time and have a rather insidious onset.

To call the so-called B-Symptomatik is, with which it to These symptoms do not stand in direct connection with the liver failure. However, they are associated with liver cancer or liver metastases, which can ultimately lead to liver failure. Furthermore, tumors of the liver can cause unspecific complaints such as loss of appetite, pain in the upper abdomen or jaundice.

However, the symptoms usually appear very late in the course of the cancer. An indication of an underlying cancer of the liver is a sudden worsening of an existing liver cirrhosis, which is called decompensation. This is to be understood as a liver failure and is accompanied by the above mentioned symptoms such as ascites, clouding of consciousness and an icterus.

Icterus: Since the liver is no longer able to metabolize the bilirubin that is produced by the breakdown of red blood pigment, it accumulates and leads to a yellowing of the skin and sclerae, which is called jaundice.
Coagulation disorder: A coagulation disorder results from the fact that the liver can no longer fulfil its function of synthesising so-called coagulation factors. This results in a bleeding tendency.
Albumin deficiency: Since albumin is no longer synthesized, this results in ascites with sometimes massive circumferential growth of the abdomen.
Foetor hepaticus: The patients smell from the mouth like raw liver.
Itching: Metabolic products cause itching, which is sometimes very pronounced and particularly strong in the feet.
Hormonal imbalances: Chronic liver damage can also lead to hormonal imbalances. These do not manifest themselves in acute liver failure, but are signs of a failure of liver function over a longer period of time.
These include gynecomastia (breast growth), lack of hair on the abdomen and breast in men, and menstrual disorders in women. These symptoms are caused by a disproportion between estrogen and testosterone.
Ammonia deposits: Ammonia deposition can cause hyperventilation in the context of acute liver failure. This means that those affected breathe very quickly and shallowly.
Another sign is a coarse tremor of the hands (flapping tremor).
Hepatic encephalopathy: A very large and important complex of symptoms of liver failure are disturbances of consciousness caused by hepatic encephalopathy.This is brain damage that occurs when toxic metabolic products such as ammonia accumulate in the brain. Hepatic encephalopathy is divided into four degrees and ranges from mere disturbances of consciousness such as mild drowsiness and lack of concentration to coma.
Acute kidney failure: This is called hepatorenal syndrome. In addition to the symptoms of liver damage, there are symptoms that can be attributed to acute kidney failure. Very striking is a decrease in urine excretion up to anuria (no more urine is left).
Fever,
A significant unwanted weight loss and
Night sweat is coming.