What if liver stops working

Although there is medication that may help reduce confusion, in the final days of liver failure, it will be less useful.

The doctor may then prescribe medications to calm the person and maintain his or her comfort and dignity. As liver function declines, certain medications can further harm the liver or build up in the bloodstream, causing side effects. Liver Disease. Send to a Friend. What can be expected in end-stage liver disease? Changes that can occur with end-stage liver disease include: jaundice; increased risk of bleeding; buildup of fluid in the abdomen; and reduced brain function.

Other symptoms of end-stage liver disease include: muscle cramps; trouble sleeping at night; fatigue ; decreased appetite and intake of food; and depression. See also:. Symptoms and health concerns: Confusion. Pain My friend who's ill says he's nearing the end, but he seems to be doing well. Is this normal? Tips for Talking with Someone Who is Dying. When Death is Near. Back to Index. Our Partners. Asked and Answered Find out what Canadians are asking.

Drinking too much alcohol can cause fatty liver. But a growing number of people who drink little or no alcohol are also being diagnosed with fatty liver. Studies suggest that fatty liver disease now also affects about 1 in 10 children nationwide.

As with adults, most children with fatty liver disease are overweight and resistant to insulin, a critical hormone that regulates energy. In its early stages, fatty liver disease usually has no symptoms. And some people with fatty liver disease can have normal blood tests.

The only sure way to diagnose the severity of fatty liver disease is by getting a liver biopsy. For this test, a doctor inserts a thin needle through the skin and into the liver to remove a small piece of tissue for analysis. NIH-funded scientists have been searching for simpler ways to measure the severity of fatty liver disease. There are currently no approved medications for fatty liver or its more severe form called NASH, or non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis. Another common type of liver disease—known as viral hepatitis—can be caused by at least 5 different viruses, named hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

These infections can injure your liver and keep it from working properly. Each hepatitis virus causes a different form of liver disease. All the viruses can trigger acute, or short-term, hepatitis. Hepatitis B, C, and D can also cause chronic hepatitis, in which the infection lasts a long time, sometimes for your whole life.

People are often exposed to hepatitis A and E viruses through contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C, and D can spread through sexual contact. Because many infected people have few symptoms, they may not realize they have viral hepatitis.

They can spread the infection to others without even knowing it. Viral hepatitis is often treated with antiviral medications. Hepatitis A, B, and D infections can be prevented by vaccines.

Acute liver failure can develop quickly in an otherwise healthy person, and it is life-threatening. If you or someone you know suddenly develops a yellowing of the eyes or skin; tenderness in the upper abdomen; or any unusual changes in mental state, personality or behavior, seek medical attention right away.

Acute liver failure occurs when liver cells are damaged significantly and are no longer able to function. Potential causes include:.

Acetaminophen overdose. Taking too much acetaminophen Tylenol, others is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Outside of the United States, acetaminophen is known as paracetamol. Acute liver failure can occur after one very large dose of acetaminophen, or after higher than recommended doses every day for several days. If you or someone you know has taken an overdose of acetaminophen, seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Treatment may prevent liver failure.

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