About Liver Failure

Liver failure is a life threatening condition that demands urgent medical care. Most often, liver failure occurs gradually and over many years. Rare condition known as acute liver failure occurs rapidly within 48hrs and difficult to detect initially. The initial symptoms of liver failure are often ones that can be due to any number or conditions. Because of this, liver failure may be initially difficult to diagnose. Early symptoms include: Nausea, Loss of appetite, Fatigue, Diarrhoea. If detected early enough, acute liver failure caused by an overdose of acetaminophen can sometimes be treated and its effects reversed. Likewise, if a virus causes liver failure, supportive care can be given at a hospital to treat the symptoms until the virus runs its course. In these cases, the liver will sometimes recover on its own. For liver failure that is the result of long-term deterioration, the initial treatment goal may be to save whatever part of the liver is still functioning. If this is not possible, then a liver transplant is required. Fortunately, liver transplant is a common procedure that is often successful.