Liver failure is characterized by symptoms such as jaundice, easy bleeding or bruising, ascites, and cognitive impairment. If left untreated, it can progress to seizures and death, but treatment with medication or a liver transplant can help alleviate symptoms.
Liver failure occurs when the body’s liver can no longer function properly. This is often preceded by liver disease, which can have numerous symptoms. Liver failure, however, is characterized by several symptoms, which taken together with blood tests and other medical tests indicate that liver function is impaired to an extraordinary degree.
A marked symptom of liver failure is jaundice. Jaundice is easy to notice physically as it discolors the skin to a yellow or orange tint. The whites of the eyes may also appear yellowish. Jaundice is a sign of the liver’s inability to successfully excrete bilirubin from the body. Although many babies get jaundice after birth, this is usually not a symptom of liver problems. However, jaundice in adults is always a cause for concern.
People with liver failure may also bleed easily or bruise excessively. Platelet counts may be reduced in those with a failing liver, which “thins” the blood, making it more difficult for blood to clot if a cut or blunt injury occurs. A lower platelet count is also symptomatic of a number of other diseases.
Ascites, the accumulation of large amounts of fluid in the abdominal cavity, is quite frequently the result of liver failure. In fact, an abnormally protruding stomach is often a sign of severe liver failure. Ascites can also be caused by a weak heart or other conditions, which should be ruled out.
People with liver problems may also have a reduction in their ability to think and remember. Overall, their health may be poor and they may be more susceptible to common diseases. Liver problems can also cause significant fatigue, a general feeling of weakness, and loss of appetite or nausea.
If liver failure is not treated, symptoms progress, possibly causing seizures, disorientation, inability to speak, and impaired judgment. Failure of other major organs can occur as the body works cooperatively with each organ. Eventually death will occur if medical intervention is not feasible or is not required. Many who have liver problems can partially stop their symptoms through treatment with medications. However, some with the condition require a liver transplant to recover.
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