Hepatic insufficiency is characterized by impaired functioning of one or more liver functions simultaneously. This is usually due to chronic damage to the liver tissue. In medicine, distinguish between chronic liver failure and acute, which in most cases ends with a hepatic coma (terminal stage).
Chronic liver failure
This form of the disease can occur during the progression of other chronic liver diseases. This can include malignant tumors and cirrhosis. As a rule, it manifests itself as symptoms of the underlying disease. When the patient is examined, all the data of biochemical analysis, liver ultrasound, EEG and biopsy are taken into account.
Chronic liver failure - symptoms
Symptoms of chronic liver failure include:
- deterioration of the gallbladder, overlapping of the bile duct;
- development of secondary biliary cirrhosis ;
- genetic disorder of metabolism;
- with decompensation of the chronic form can occur hepatic coma.
At long forms at patients the grayish complexion that speaks about infringement of an exchange of vitamins is observed. Endocrine disorders in women can also occur, such as a menstrual cycle, and in men, a decrease in sexual desire. In most cases, symptoms are manifested as a major disease that caused hepatic insufficiency. The patient must necessarily follow a special diet, because it is the reception of different products can provoke an acute form.
Signs of liver failure
All signs directly depend on the course of the disease, so you can identify only the general symptoms:
- decreased appetite;
- aversion to tobacco in heavy smokers;
- general weakness and disability;
- emotional disorders.
In the future, neuropsychic disorders, depression, slowing of thinking, mood instability and deterioration of sleep can occur. Such signs may be present in chronic liver failure, so an accurate diagnosis can be made only by a doctor, after a special examination. There may be a slight tremor of the extremities, but with prolonged therapy, patients can get rid of this condition. Coma occurs already in the acute form of the disease with prolonged symptoms.
Causes of acute liver failure
Among the most frequent reasons are observed:
- severe forms of viral hepatitis;
- poisoning by industrial products;
- drug overdose;
- transfusion of foreign blood in different cases.
Symptoms of acute hepatic insufficiency develop rapidly and appear for several days. If, however, in time to turn to special therapy, the process can be reversible and in the worst case there will be only an easy form of the disease. As for the chronic disease, then there may be symptoms after a long period of time,