Liver Diseases & Causes of Liver Failure

There are a bunch of liver disorders which might require the need for a liver transplantation. In grown-ups, ESLD or cirrhosis is the initial reason for which a liver transplant is required.

Liver disorder comprises an array of diseases that can vary in severity. From light injuries to severe liver cirrhosis, there are any conditions which need immediate medical attention. Untreated liver damages prove to be a gateway towards cirrhosis or liver scarring — also termed as end-stage liver disease.

Here are some causes of liver cirrhosis

• Hepatitis (A, B, C, and others) which may affect the functioning of liver cells.
• Wilson’s disease — also termed as a disorder of copper metabolism.
• A genetic mistake with a lost enzyme that may result in liver disease — often referred to as Alpha-one anti-trypsin deficiency
• An inherited metabolic disorder known as Glycogen storage disease (type I, III, IV)
• A disorder of tyrosine metabolism referred to as Tyrosinemia
• Alcoholic liver infection along with Drug-induced liver infection which is caused due to extreme consumption of drink/drugs causing irrevocable damage to the liver.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease resulting in extra fat in the liver owing to obesity, high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides accumulating in the liver.
• Initial biliary atresia, also known as extrahepatic ductopenia — a congenital disease where the bile ducts hold forming properly resulting in narrow, blocked, or absent ducts.
• Autoimmune liver diseases — where the immune method stages an attack against the liver
• A condition known as Hemochromatosis which is characterized by excessive iron deposits in the liver

End-stage liver disease (ESLD) or cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a last-stage liver disease that is caused as a result of sustaining permanent damage or scarring of the liver. When an individual has cirrhosis, it means that the scar tissue (fibrosis) has damaged or substituted the healthy tissue or liver cells. Extra time, when scarring has affected a significant part of the liver, it is a situation which is referred to as cirrhosis.

This scar tissue stops the liver from working at optimal levels ultimately causing loss of liver function. It requires to be mentioned that even if almost 70 percent of the liver is damaged, the liver can renew and improve itself in just a matter of a few weeks. However, a liver affected from cirrhosis can’t renew or re-grow which eventually results in the liver losing its capability to function properly. Seriously still, this is often a progressive condition and usually irreversible as well. What this also means is that no kind of medicines can change or treat this disease. This situation which results in the loss of liver function or organ failure can be described as End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD).

Liver cirrhosis has also been linked as the biggest risk factor for primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), which has rapidly become the leading cause of cancer death across the world. Another issue that arises due to ESLD is the reduction in brain function. This is caused as a result of the build-up of toxins in the blood — owing to the liver not functioning — which can confuse. The resulting signs can cause irritation and unresponsiveness, eventually spiraling out of control and can even cause the affected individual to slip into a comatose state. Scarring can also stop the liver from producing enough clotting factors, which can cause bleeding and bruising.

Signs and symptoms associated with liver disease

Individuals suffering from cirrhosis might not showcase any symptoms especially in the early stages of cirrhosis. However, with time as the condition worsens, it can cause the following symptoms, including:

• Tiredness or Fatigue
• Loss of Appetite
• Excessive sleepiness
• The buildup of fluid in the abdomen leading to swelling
• Unexplained weight loss
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• Presence of small red spots and appearance of tiny lines on the skin also termed as spider angiomas
• Loss of muscle mass
• A state of constant drowsiness and confusion owing to a build-up of toxins in the gut
• Yellowing of the skin and the eyes as well as dark yellow urine (Jaundice)
• Heavy nosebleeds.
• Severe and constant Itching all over the body
• Swelling from the buildup of fluids in the hands and feet (edema)
• Bleeding as a result of the enlarged veins present in the digestive tract.
• Vomiting of blood and presence of blood in the stools
• More potential processing of alcohol and drugs resulting in improved consciousness when these substances are consumed.

In the case of individuals suffering from only mild liver damage, these symptoms might not manifest itself and may need medical or endoscopic therapy. If the above symptoms were to occur, it’s termed as decompensation or the failure of an organ. By the time individuals are diagnosed with the above symptoms, it might already be too late. Primary diagnostic tests in

cirrhotic patients also reveal the following:

• Elevated levels of bilirubin
• Low albumin levels
• High prothrombin time (international normalized ratio)
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)

Acute or fulminant liver failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a few but a destructive situation which can show to be life-threatening as well. ALF can cause a sudden, progressive, and severe liver dysfunction over just a some days or week which can culminate into multi-organ failure and eventually death. It can affect an unless ordinary individual and even people without any preexisting liver diseases either. This improves in the rapid but severe deterioration of the liver — while affecting its functioning — within no time. Early symptoms of ALF need to be closely monitored including the onset of jaundice, a feeling of confusion or drowsiness which eventually results in the individual slipping into a comatose state.

It also requires to be suggested that patients undergoing from ALF can die within days if they do not get a liver transplant unlike individuals suffering from the chronic liver infection who can survive for a longer time-frame while awaiting liver transplantation.

Some infections which can cause acute liver failure are as follows:

• Liver disorders leading to infections created by hepatitis A virus (HAV) or hepatitis E virus (HEV)
• Side effects of certain medications such as anti-tubercular drugs, paracetamol & even Ayurvedic medicines
• Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP)

Dr. Palnitkar Liver & Gasrto Care Clinic for Liver Care & Transplantation

At Dr. Palnitkar Clinic for Liver Transplantation, the experienced team of liver specialists ensures the best treatment for your liver and the associated organs such as the pancreas, biliary tree and gall bladder. When these organs are bothered with normal diseases including Hepatitis A and B, fatty liver, cirrhosis and even cancer, the hepatologist rise to the occasion to diagnose and treat the diseases in the best possible methods.

Liver Transplantation team involves very qualified and experienced hepatologist who are equipped with the agility and precision to conduct liver transplants when this incredibly hardworking organ gives up functioning to its maximum capacity.