Acute Liver Failure – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Acute Liver Failure – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments  of this condition. In addition, Acute Liver Failure  is an uncommon condition in which rapid deterioration of liver function results in coagulopathy, usually with an international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 1.5, and a change in mental status (encephalopathy) of a previously healthy. Acute  Liver Failure  usually affects young people and brings a very high mortality. So, check out now  Acute Liver Failure – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments:

What is Acute Liver Failure:  Acute Liver Failure  is the loss of liver function that occurs rapidly – ​​within days or weeks – usually in a person who does not have pre-existing liver disease. Acute liver failure  is less common than chronic liver failure, which develops more slowly.

Acute Liver Failure , also known as fulminant liver failure, can cause serious complications, including excessive bleeding and increased pressure on the brain. It is a medical emergency that requires hospitalization.

Depending on the cause, Acute Liver Failure  can sometimes be reversed with treatment. In many situations, however, a liver transplant may be the only cure.

Causes of Acute Liver Failure:  Acute Liver Failure  occurs when liver cells are significantly damaged and unable to function. Potential causes include:

• Acetaminophen overdose. Taking too much acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) is the most common cause of Acute Liver Failure  in Brazil. Acute Liver Failure  can occur after a very large dose of acetaminophen, or after higher-than-recommended doses every day for several days. If you suspect that you or someone you know has overdosed on acetaminophen, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Do not wait for the signs of Acute Liver Failure .
• Prescription drugs. Some prescription drugs, including antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and anticonvulsants, can cause Acute Liver Failure .
• Herbal supplements. Herbal drugs and supplements, including kava, ephedra, syrup, and pennyroyal, have been linked to Acute Liver Failure .
• Hepatitis and other viruses. Hepatitis A , Hepatitis B and Hepatitis E can cause Acute Liver Failure . Other viruses that can cause Acute Liver Failure include Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus.
• toxins _ Toxins that can cause  Acute Liver Failure include the wild poisonous mushroom Amanita phalloides, which is sometimes confused with edible species.
• Autoimmune disease. Acute Liver Failure can be caused by autoimmune hepatitis – a disease where your immune system attacks liver cells, causing inflammation and damage.
• Diseases of the veins in the liver. Vascular diseases such as Budd-Chiari syndrome can cause blockages in the veins of the liver, leading to Acute Liver Failure .
• Metabolic disease. Rare metabolic diseases such as Wilson’s disease and acute fatty liver of pregnancy rarely cause Acute Liver Failure .
• Cancer. Cancer that starts in or spreads to your liver can cause your liver to fail.

Many cases of Acute Liver Failure have no apparent cause.

Symptoms of Acute Liver Failure:  Signs and symptoms of Acute Liver Failure may include:

• Yellowing of your skin and eyeballs (jaundice)
• Pain in the upper right abdomen
• abdominal swelling
• Nausea
• vomit
• A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)
• disorientation or confusion
• Somnolence

Acute Liver Failure can develop quickly in an otherwise healthy person, and is fatal. If you or someone you know suddenly develops yellowing of the eyes or skin; Tenderness in the upper part of the abdomen; Or any unusual changes in mental state, personality or behavior, seek immediate attention.

Treatments for Acute Liver Failure:  People with Acute Liver Failure are often treated in a hospital’s intensive care unit — and when possible, in a facility that can perform a liver transplant if needed. Your doctor may try to treat the liver damage itself, but in many cases, treatment involves managing complications and allowing the liver to heal.

Treatments for Acute Liver Failure: Acute  treatments for liver failure may include:

• Medicines to reverse intoxication. Acute Liver Failure caused by overdose of acetaminophen or mushroom poisoning is treated with drugs that can reverse the effects of the toxin and can reduce liver damage.
• Liver transplant. When Acute Liver Failure cannot be reversed, the only treatment may be a liver transplant. During a liver transplant, a surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver from a donor.

Treatments For Complications:  Your doctor will work to manage the signs and symptoms you are experiencing and try to prevent complications caused by Acute Liver Failure . This care may include:

• Relieve pressure caused by excess fluid in the brain. Brain swelling caused by acute liver failure can increase pressure in your brain. Medications can help reduce fluid buildup in your brain.
• Infection detection. Your medical team will take periodic samples of your blood and urine to test for infection. If your doctor suspects you have an infection, you will be given medication to treat the infection.
• Prevention of severe bleeding. Your doctor may give you medicines to reduce the risk of bleeding. If you lose a lot of blood, your doctor may run tests to find the source of the blood loss, and you may need blood transfusions.

Prevention of Acute Liver Failure:  Reduce the risk of  Acute Liver Failure by caring for the liver.

• Follow medication instructions. If you take acetaminophen or other medications, check the package insert for the recommended dosage and do not take more than that.
• Tell your doctor about all your medications. Even over-the-counter and herbal medicines can interfere with prescription drugs you are taking.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if applicable. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink a day for women of all ages and men over 65 and no more than two drinks a day for younger men.
• Avoid risky behavior. Get help if you use illegal intravenous drugs. Do not share needles. Use condoms during sex. If you get tattoos or body piercings, make sure the shop you choose is clean and safe. Do not smoke.
• Get vaccinated. If you are at higher risk of getting hepatitis, if you have been infected with any form of the hepatitis virus, or if you have chronic liver disease, talk to your doctor about getting the hepatitis B vaccine. A vaccine is also available for hepatitis A. .
• Avoid contact with other people’s blood and body fluids. Accidental needle sticks or improper cleaning of blood or body fluids can spread hepatitis virus. Sharing razors or toothbrushes can also spread the infection.
• Do not eat wild mushrooms. It can be difficult to tell an edible mushroom from a poisonous one.
• Be careful with aerosol sprays. When you use an aerosol cleaner, make sure the room is ventilated or wear a mask. Take similar protective measures when spraying insecticides, fungicides, paints and other toxic chemicals. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Notice what stays on your skin. When using insecticides and other toxic chemicals, cover your skin with gloves, long sleeves, a hat, and a mask.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can cause a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which can include fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis .