Symptoms of Acute Liver Failure

Liver failure refers to the damage of the liver beyond repair, which makes it unable to perform its normal functions. Generally, liver failure progresses quite slowly and it can take years to completely damage a large portion of the liver. But, acute liver failure is a rare condition which can lead to complete liver damage just within a couple of days. Sometimes, a short period of 48 hours can be sufficient to cause complete impairment of liver functions. This condition is associated with many severe complications including hepatic encephalopathy that can lead to hepatic coma, and also disruption of protein synthesis and renal failure. Here is a brief account of the causes as well as the symptoms of acute liver failure.

Causes of Acute Liver Failure
Acetaminophen is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (alleviates fever) drug and its overdose is found to be the leading cause of acute liver failure. Acute liver failure can be caused by either a single overdose or small multiple doses of this drug for a few days. In addition to acetaminophen, excessive use of antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anticonvulsant drugs can also cause acute liver failure. Three types of hepatitis, known as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are also associated with this condition. Sometimes, acute liver failure can be caused by autoimmune diseases like autoimmune hepatitis, where the body's own immune system attacks the liver cells.

Some other causes of acute liver failure are liver cirrhosis, malnutrition, consumption of poisonous mushrooms, excessive alcohol consumption for a very long time, primary and secondary liver cancer, vascular liver diseases like portal vein thrombosis, and Bud-Chiari syndrome. In many instances, metabolic diseases like Reye's syndrome, and acute fatty liver of pregnancy can also be responsible for causing extensive damage to the liver in a very short time period.

Symptoms of Acute Liver Failure
The early signs of acute liver failure cannot be regarded as specific to the disease, as they can be produced by many other conditions and disorders. Such symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, other prominent symptoms like jaundice appear, which is manifested in yellowing of the skin and sclera or the white portion of the eyes. Along with jaundice, individuals can experience tenderness in the upper right portion of the abdomen. Distension of the abdomen due to ascites formation can be an important symptom of liver failure.

As mentioned already, acute liver failure can lead to a severe condition known as hepatic encephalopathy, which affects the functions of the brain. This condition arises due to the accumulation of toxic substances in the blood, as the liver fails to filter them. These toxins, when they reach the brain through the bloodstream, affect the functions of the brain cells. This condition is characterized by gradual reduction in the cognitive abilities and its common symptoms include muscle tremors, mood changes, irritability, disorientation, poor attention, insomnia, delirium and confusion. If not treated in time, the condition can worsen and cause hepatic coma. Bleeding problems like delay in blood clotting and bleeding easily can also be evident in acute liver failure, as the liver fails to synthesize the sufficient amount of clotting factors needed for blood coagulation.

Treatment for Acute Liver Failure
Acute liver failure is not very easy to diagnose, and requires a detailed study of the symptoms of acute liver failure, the use of medications, and various risk factors. Blood tests and proper examination of the liver tissues are also carried out to diagnose the disease. The treatment options for the disease mainly depend on the specific causes. If it is caused by an overdose of acetaminophen and other drugs, then treatment is directed towards reversing their effects, while if caused by infectious agents, medications for infection are used. Patients of acute liver failure are generally admitted to the intensive care unit for close observation. If the damage is severe and the patient's condition deteriorates over time, then liver transplantation can be required. Another treatment option for acute liver failure is liver dialysis.

Along with prompt treatment, keeping the risk factors under control is very important to prevent the frequency of the disease. Taking physicians' advice and guidance while using any kind of medication, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, getting vaccinated for hepatitis liver diseases, maintaining hygiene, and eating a proper healthy and nutritious diet can play an important role in reducing the frequency of acute liver failure.