Chronic liver failure
Chronic liver failure is a long-term, progressive deterioration of liver function. It is characterized by the loss of liver cells and the inability of the liver to perform its normal functions, such as detoxifying harmful substances in the body, purifying blood, and synthesizing vital nutrients.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Chronic liver failure is usually caused by long-term exposure to toxic substances or viral infections. The most common causes include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and long-term alcohol consumption. Other causes can include autoimmune hepatitis, diseases that cause blockage of the bile ducts (such as primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis), and genetic diseases such as Wilson's disease or hemochromatosis.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of chronic liver failure may include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). As the disease progresses, complications may develop, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of chronic liver failure involves a series of tests, including blood tests, imaging tests, and sometimes a liver biopsy. Blood tests can reveal liver function abnormalities and help identify the cause of the condition. Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, can show the size and shape of the liver and reveal any abnormalities. A liver biopsy can confirm the diagnosis and help determine the severity of the disease.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for chronic liver failure depends on the underlying cause. It may include lifestyle changes, medications, or in severe cases, liver transplantation. Lifestyle changes may include avoiding alcohol, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Medications can help control the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for chronic liver failure depends on the severity of the disease and the patient's overall health. Early detection and treatment can improve the prognosis.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
