Acute Liver Failure Causes: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Chronic liver failure occurs when a large portion of your liver is damaged and unable to function normally. Liver failure caused by liver disease and cirrhosis usually occurs gradually. It's possible that you won't experience any symptoms at first. However, over time, you may begin to notice: Jaundice, Diarrhea, fatigue or weakness, and nausea.

It's a serious condition that needs to be managed on a regular basis.

Acute liver failure, on the other hand, occurs unexpectedly, frequently as a result of an overdose or poisoning.

What is acute liver failure?

Acute liver failure is defined as the loss of liver function that happens suddenly — within days or weeks — in a person who does not have any prior liver disease. A hepatitis virus or drugs like acetaminophen are the most prevalent causes. Acute liver failure is rarer than chronic liver failure, which takes longer to develop.

Acute liver failure, sometimes called fulminant hepatic failure, can lead to significant complications such as excessive bleeding and increased head pressure. It's a medical emergency that necessitates admission to the hospital.

Acute liver failure can occasionally be treated and reversed, depending on the causes. However, in many cases, a liver transplant may be the only option.

Acute liver failure is a life-threatening condition that can occur abruptly in otherwise healthy people. Seek medical help right away if you or someone you know suffers sudden yellowing of the eyes or skin, soreness in the upper abdomen, or other unexpected changes in mental state, personality, or behavior.

Alcohol-related Liver Disease

Symptoms

If you have acute liver failure, you may have the following symptoms:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Discomfort on right side
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite

As the condition progresses, you may become disoriented and tired. Other signs and symptoms include:

  • Jaundice i.e yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes
  • Bruising or bleeding easily
  • Vomiting blood
  • A buildup of fluid in your abdomen.

Causes

Acute liver failure occurs when the liver cells are severely damaged and no longer function. The following are some of the possible causes:

  • Overdose of acetaminophen

The most prevalent cause of acute liver failure in the United States is taking too much acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Acetaminophen is also known as paracetamol in India. Acute liver failure can result from a single big dose of acetaminophen or from taking higher-than-recommended amounts on a daily basis for several days.

If you or someone you know has taken an excessive amount of acetaminophen, seek medical help right away. It's possible that treatment will keep your liver from failing. Don't wait for symptoms of liver failure to appear.

  • Prescribed medicines

Antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, and anticonvulsants are among the medications that might induce acute liver failure.

  • Hepatitis and other viruses

Acute liver failure is a complication of hepatitis A, B, and E. Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus are among the viruses that can cause acute liver failure.

  • Herbal supplements

Acute liver failure has been associated with herbal medications and supplements such as kava, ephedra, skullcap, and pennyroyal.

  • Toxins

The toxic wild fungus Amanita phalloides, which is occasionally confused for one that is safe to eat, contain toxins that can induce abrupt liver failure. Another toxin that can cause abrupt liver failure is carbon tetrachloride. It's an industrial chemical that's used in refrigerants and wax, varnish, and other materials solvents.

  • Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune hepatitis, a disorder in which your immune system destroys liver cells, producing inflammation and injury, which can lead to liver failure.

  • Metabolic disease

Acute liver failure is a rare complication of rare metabolic illnesses including Wilson's disease and acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

  • Cancer

The failure of your liver might be caused by cancer that starts in or spreads to your liver.

  • Heatstroke

Acute liver failure can be caused by intense physical exercise in a hot environment.

  • Diseases of the veins in the liver

Budd-Chiari syndrome, for example, can develop obstructions in the veins of the liver, resulting in abrupt liver failure.

Treatment

Acute liver failure is frequently treated in a hospital's intensive care unit, in a facility that can execute a liver transplant if necessary. Your doctor may attempt to treat the liver injury itself, but in many situations, treatment entails preventing complications and allowing your liver to heal.

Treatments for acute liver failure include:

  • Medications

A medicine called acetylcysteine is used to treat acute liver failure induced by acetaminophen overdose. Other causes of acute liver failure may be treated with this drug. Drugs that can reverse the effects of the toxin and lessen liver damage can also be used to treat mushrooms and other poisonings.

  • Liver transplant

When acute liver failure cannot be reversed, a liver transplant may be the only option. A surgeon removes your diseased liver and replaces it with a healthy liver from a donor during a liver transplant.

  • Screening for infections

Your medical team will take blood and urine samples from you on a regular basis to check for infection. If your doctor suspects that you have an infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics.

  • Preventing severe bleeding

Your doctor may prescribe drugs to help you avoid bleeding. If you're losing a lot of blood, your doctor may run tests to figure out what's causing it. It's possible that you'll need blood transfusions.

  • Nutritional support

If you're unable to eat, nutritional deficits may require supplementation.

New therapies for acute liver failure are still being researched, particularly those that could lessen or delay the need for a liver transplant. While there are some potential future treatments in the works, it's crucial to note that they are still experimental and may not be available anytime soon.

Among these:

  • Hepatocyte transplantation
  • Auxiliary liver transplant
  • Xenotransplantation
  • Artificial hepatic assist devices