Acute Liver Failure: Symptoms and Prevention

1. Acute Liver Failure: Symptoms and Prevention Fulminant Hepatic Failure, commonly known as acute liver failure, is a catastrophic hepatic condition in which the liver fails to function, without any previously occurred liver illness. The primary manifestation of acute liver failure is Hepatitis A, B, or E virus. Loss of 70-80% of the liver cells, making the liver unable to function causes acute liver failure. Liver diseases rapidly progress, showing mild symptoms initially. But, ignorance of the same can cause the liver to collapse. Without any history of hepatic illness, a person can experience an acute liver failure. Patients who have less chances of survival, often have to be treated by a liver transplant. According to Dr. Vivek Vij, who has the highest success rate of liver transplant in Delhi, patients experience mild symptoms before the liver collapses, these may include yellowing of skin and eyes, discomfort in the upper right abdomen, fatigue, nausea, malaise, dark colored urine, and vomiting. The life threatening disease can develop rapidly in a healthy person. It occurs when the liver cells are damaged beyond recovery, because of which the liver fails to function. The causes of Acute Liver Failure may include progression of Hepatitis A, B, and E infections in the body, cancer, vascular diseases, metabolic illness like Wilson's disease, toxins etc. Several cases of acute liver failure do not have an apparent cause. Acute liver disease can be fatal, and therefore necessary preventive measures must be taken by people. Risk of acute liver failure can be reduced by moderating alcohol consumption, consuming a balanced diet, exercising regularly to avoid obesity, getting vaccinated against hepatitis A, B, and E, maintaining personal hygiene, avoiding polygamous sexual contacts, using protection during sexual intercourse, ensuring clean environment while getting a tattoo or piercing, and not sharing needles, razors, toothbrush etc. Dr. Vivek Vij, who has the highest success rate of liver transplant in India suggest that preventive measures must be taken because majority of liver illnesses progress rapidly into an unrecoverable condition, which can only be treated by a liver transplant surgery. It is important that a person regularly consults their doctor even upon facing the mildest symptoms since they can be warning sign of development of a serious hepatic condition. The risk of acute liver failure can only be reduced by keeping you liver healthy.