What is Acute Liver Failure?
Acute liver failure is loss of liver function that occurs rapidly — in days or weeks.
Usually it develops in a person who has no pre-existing liver disease. Acute liver failure is less common than chronic liver failure, which develops more slowly.
Acute liver failure can cause serious complications, including excessive bleeding and increasing pressure in the brain. It's a medical emergency that requires hospitalization.
Depending on the cause, acute liver failure can sometimes be reversed with treatment. In many situations, though, a liver transplant may be the only cure.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of acute liver failure may include:
- Yellowing of your skin and eyeballs (jaundice)
- Pain in your upper right abdomen
- Abdominal swelling
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- A general sense of feeling unwell (malaise)
- Disorientation or confusion
- Sleepiness
When to see a doctor
Acute liver failure is a life-threatening condition, so seek medical attention right away if you experience any symptoms.
Causes
Acute liver failure occurs when liver cells are damaged significantly and are no longer able to function.
Potential causes include:
- Acetaminophen overdose.
- Prescription medications.
- Herbal supplements.
- Hepatitis and other viruses.
- Toxins.
- Autoimmune disease.
- Diseases of the veins in the liver.
- Metabolic disease.
- Cancer.
- Shock and sepsis.
Many cases of acute liver failure have no apparent cause.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-liver-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20352863
