Liver failure

Liver failure is the final stage of liver disease. By definition, liver failure occurs when the liver is so diseased, and functioning so poorly, that encephalopathy is evident. Any progressive liver disease can result in liver failure; examples include: acetaminophen toxicity, cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, and metastatic cancer of the liver. Other signs of liver disease such as jaundice, ascites, fetor hepaticus, and failure of coagulation indicate that the liver is having trouble performing its normal physiological duties, but it is not termed liver failure until the mental status changes appear.

Related Topics:
Liver - Disease - Encephalopathy - Acetaminophen - Cirrhosis - Hepatitis - Cancer - Jaundice - Ascites - Fetor hepaticus - Coagulation

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Treatment involves correcting any underlying cause, if this is possible. Liver dialysis is evolving as a treatment modality and is pending approval by regulators in the USA. The definitive treatment for liver failure is transplantation. Medications, such as lactulose, can be given to relieve the symptoms of liver failure.

Related Topics:
Liver dialysis - USA - Transplantation - Lactulose

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