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Acute liver failure occurs when the cells in liver get too damaged to carry out their normal functions. Because of the progression, this disease is also known as Fulminant hepatic failure. Damage of cells can be caused by many factors. Diseases like Hepatitis or Autoimmune hepatitis bring about gradual weakening the liver cells. Large doses of drugs like acetaminophen is a leading cause of this disease in United States. Other prescription drugs like Antibiotics, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or anticonvulsants are also found to be the causal factors in some cases especially when overdose is taken. Some herbal medications like ephedra, skullcap, kava and pennyroyal also cause this disease. Previous exposure to Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus can also trigger liver malfunctioning. If a person is exposed to certain toxins or poisons like wild mushroom Amanita phalloides, he may get contracted with this disease. In rare cases, a metabolic disease known as Wilson's disease is responsible for the occurrence. Budd-Chiari syndrome in which veins of the liver get clogged can cause the problem. Cancer which occurs in liver or Symptoms:- 1.Jaundice 2.Abdominal pain especially in upper right area 3.Nausea and vomiting 4.Cognitive problems like confusion 5.Inability to concentrate 6.Excessive sleepiness 7.Tiredness Complications:- 1.Cerebral edema- Cerebral edema means excessive fluid saturation in the brain. It can exert pressure on brain tissues causing their displacement. It deprived the brain of oxygen. 2.Bleeding disorders- Malfunctioning liver is unable to produce sufficient amount of blood clotting proteins. A person may develop bleeding disorders. Bleeding from gastrointestinal tract is more difficult to control. 3.Infections- Individuals having acute liver failure are more prone to developing respiratory and urinary tract infections. 4.Kidney failure- Extreme case of liver failure can affect working of kidneys sometimes leading to complete kidney failure. Diagnosis:- 1.Blood tests- Blood tests such as prothrombin time test are administered to measure the time taken for clotting of the blood 2.Imaging tests- Imaging tests like ultrasound can be used to check the extent of liver damage. it may also help to find damage caused to other organs such as brain or kidney. 3.Liver tissue biopsy- Biopsy may be performed to know the cause of liver malfunctioning. In case excessive bleeding from biopsy is suspected an alternative method known as transjugular liver biopsy is performed in which tissue sample is collected through the catheter inserted in the liver through vain in throat. Treatment: - treatment involves medications and liver surgery. 1.Medications to cure poisoning 2.Medications to reduce excessive fluid in the brain 3.Medications to control risk of excessive bleeding 4.Liver transplant if the damage is severe 5.Hospitalization Prevention:- 1.Limiting use of alcohol or other illicit drugs 2.Using medications only with prescription 3.Vaccination against hepatitis A, B 4.Avoiding eating wild mushrooms 5.Regular exercising 6.Keeping body weigh in limit 7.Healthy diet Jack Williams is a Health Content Writer For carepharmacyrx.com, adviser by profession. He is completed his post graduation in Bio-tech. And he is working with this new pharmacy medicine like Abortion Pills Online and Zenegra, in the internet market there many topics he has written for this and he got the good experience.
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