Liver Failure Stages

Liver failure is a condition where parts of liver are damaged and this causes decrease in liver function. This is a dangerous condition that can turn out to be life-threatening. It requires medical attention to curb it when the condition is not so serious. There are four liver failure stages that occur over the years. Many people are under the impression that liver failure affects only those who are chronic alcoholics. However, this is not the case. Liver failure can occur when the organ is damaged due to a hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. Liver failure symptoms may also occur due to overdose of medication, hereditary diseases like hemochromatosis, etc. When one consumes the wrong kind of food like mushrooms or ingests poison, it can also lead to liver damage. Liver is the only organ that undergoes wear and tear. However, years of abuse causes considerable damage, such that it is beyond repair. Let us have a look at liver failure stages in detail and understand the various complications one may face due to this condition.

Types of Liver Failure
When the liver fails to carry out its metabolic as well as synthetic functions, it is known as liver failure. There are two forms of liver failure that may affect a patient. These include acute liver failure and chronic liver failure. Acute liver failure occurs within four weeks of developing the first signs of liver failure. The early symptoms of liver failure include jaundice, decrease in production of albumin and blood clotting proteins, etc. Chronic liver failure stages occur over the years. This condition is caused by excessive alcohol intake, hepatitis B or C, increase in iron or copper levels, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, etc. Let us go into the details of stages of liver failure.

Stages of Liver Failure
The stages of liver failure occurs in a chronic condition. Over the years, liver damage occurs in stages and finally it can take no more and completely ceases to function. Let us have a look at the chronic liver failure stages in brief.

Liver Failure Stages #1 ~ Inflammation
The first stage of liver failure is inflammation. This occurs due to the body's attempt to heal the damage on its own. The symptoms of liver inflammation include tenderness in the abdominal area and an enlarged liver. During the initial stages, inflamed liver does not cause any damage. However, as the inflammation progresses, it leads to long-lasting damage. Excessive alcohol intake or viral infection like hepatitis are the main reasons for inflammation. This condition is reversible if one seeks proper medical treatment and carries out changes in their lifestyle. The treatment and lifestyle change will help prevent permanent damage and progress to stage two of liver failure.

Liver Failure Stages # 2 ~ Fibrosis
After inflammation, the next liver failure stage includes fibrosis. When the liver tissue is scarred due to a long period of inflammation, it leads to fibrosis. The healthy liver tissue is taken over by scarred tissue. This causes decrease in liver function and does not allow proper blood flow through the organ. The remaining healthy tissue has to work overtime and this causes further damage. This stage too is reversible, if one follows liver failure treatment, changes in diet and avoids drinking alcohol.

Liver Failure Stages # 3 ~ Liver Cirrhosis
When the scar tissue can no longer repair itself, it is leads to liver cirrhosis. This is now a permanent and irreversible condition that leads to several complications. The liver cirrhosis symptoms include edema in the abdomen and legs, jaundice, easy bruising and bleeding, itchy skin, blood vessels bursting, sensitivity to medications, memory problems as well as diabetes. The liver can no longer filter out the toxins and waste products from the blood. This causes the toxins to reach the brain and lead to brain damage. Cirrhosis is the stage where the liver is damaged to a great extent. This stage can progress to the last stage of liver failure.

Liver Failure Stages # 4 ~ Liver Cancer
The end stage liver disease is also known as complete liver failure and cancer sets in due to cirrhosis. The liver has deteriorated gradually over time and led to liver cancer. The symptoms of liver cancer include loss of appetite, diarrhea, hallucinations (auditory and visual), etc. The hallucinations occur as the liver is no longer able to filter out the toxins and radicals from the blood. They begin to affect the brain, that causes imaginary sounds and visions to be experienced by the patient. The patient also suffers from extreme sleepiness, confusion, disorientation and coma. Finally, this stage ends with death.

This is all about the chronic liver failure stages. The early stages can be treated and the effects of damage reversed. However, long-term deterioration can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Nowadays, liver transplantation is the last hope for saving a life. This is all about the four stages of liver failure. For more information, speak to a health care provider for more details.