What happens if liver shuts down

Sometimes a cause of liver damage other than cirrhosis is found during biopsy. Treatment for cirrhosis depends on the cause of the disease and whether complications are present. The goals of treatment are to slow the progression of scar tissue in the liver and prevent or treat the complications of the disease. Hospitalization may be necessary for cirrhosis with complications. Because malnutrition is common in people with cirrhosis, a healthy diet is important in all stages of the disease.

Health care providers recommend a meal plan that is well balanced. If ascites develops, a sodium-restricted diet is recommended. A person with cirrhosis should not eat raw shellfish, which can contain a bacterium that causes serious infection.

To improve nutrition, the doctor may add a liquid supplement taken by mouth or through a nasogastric tube-a tiny tube inserted through the nose and throat that reaches into the stomach. People with cirrhosis are encouraged not to consume any alcohol or illicit substances, as both will cause more liver damage. Because many vitamins and medications-prescription and over-the-counter-can affect liver function, a doctor should be consulted before taking them.

For edema and ascites, the doctor will recommend diuretics-medications that remove fluid from the body. Large amounts of ascitic fluid may be removed from the abdomen and checked for bacterial peritonitis. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection. Severe infection with ascites will require intravenous IV antibiotics. The doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker or nitrate for portal hypertension.

Beta-blockers can lower the pressure in the varices and reduce the risk of bleeding. Gastrointestinal bleeding requires an immediate upper endoscopy to look for esophageal varices.

The doctor may perform a band-ligation using a special device to compress the varices and stop the bleeding. People who have had varices in the past may need to take medicine to prevent future episodes. Hepatic encephalopathy is treated by cleansing the bowel with lactulose-a laxative given orally or in enemas. Antibiotics are added to the treatment if necessary. Patients may be asked to reduce dietary protein intake.

Hepatic encephalopathy may improve as other complications of cirrhosis are controlled. Some people with cirrhosis who develop hepatorenal failure must undergo regular hemodialysis treatment, which uses a machine to clean wastes from the blood. Medications are also given to improve blood flow through the kidneys. Other treatments address the specific causes of cirrhosis. Treatment for cirrhosis caused by hepatitis depends on the specific type of hepatitis. For example, interferon and other antiviral drugs are prescribed for viral hepatitis, and autoimmune hepatitis requires corticosteroids and other drugs that suppress the immune system.

Medications are given to treat various symptoms of cirrhosis, such as itching and abdominal pain. When is a liver transplant indicated for cirrhosis? A liver transplant is considered necessary when complications cannot be controlled by treatment. Liver transplantation is a major operation in which the diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy one from an organ donor.

A team of health professionals determines the risks and benefits of the procedure for each patient. Survival rates have improved over the past several years because of drugs that suppress the immune system and keep it from attacking and damaging the new liver. The number of people who need a liver transplant far exceeds the number of available organs. A person needing a transplant must go through a complicated evaluation process before being added to a long transplant waiting list. Generally, organs are given to people with the best chance of living the longest after a transplant.

Survival after a transplant requires intensive follow-up and cooperation on the part of the patient and caregiver. What causes cirrhosis? Most people who consume alcohol do not suffer damage to the liver. But heavy alcohol use over several years can cause chronic injury to the liver. The amount of alcohol it takes to damage the liver varies greatly from person to person.

For women, consuming two to three drinks-including beer and wine-per day and for men, three to four drinks per day, can lead to liver damage and cirrhosis. In the past, alcohol-related cirrhosis led to more deaths than cirrhosis due to any other cause.

Deaths caused by obesity-related cirrhosis are increasing. Chronic hepatitis C The hepatitis C virus is a liver infection that is spread by contact with an infected person's blood. Chronic hepatitis C causes inflammation and damage to the liver over time that can lead to cirrhosis.

Chronic hepatitis B and D The hepatitis B virus is a liver infection that is spread by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid. Hepatitis B, like hepatitis C, causes liver inflammation and injury that can lead to cirrhosis.

The hepatitis B vaccine is given to all infants and many adults to prevent the virus. Hepatitis D is another virus that infects the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, but it occurs only in people who already have hepatitis B. This increasingly common liver disease is associated with obesity, diabetes, protein malnutrition, coronary artery disease, and corticosteroid medications.

Autoimmune hepatitis This form of hepatitis is caused by the body's immune system attacking liver cells and causing inflammation, damage, and eventually cirrhosis. Researchers believe genetic factors may make some people more prone to autoimmune diseases.

Edward Doo, a liver disease expert at NIH. Other NIH studies are focusing on an increasingly common type of liver disorder—known as fatty liver disease—that affects both children and adults. A healthy liver contains just a little fat or none at all. But too much fat buildup in liver cells can cause swelling and damage.

Over time, the excess fat can lead to cirrhosis A condition in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver cells. Commonly caused by alcoholism, hepatitis C, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Yaron Rotman, an NIH specialist in fatty liver disease. Drinking too much alcohol can cause fatty liver. But a growing number of people who drink little or no alcohol are also being diagnosed with fatty liver.

Studies suggest that fatty liver disease now also affects about 1 in 10 children nationwide. As with adults, most children with fatty liver disease are overweight and resistant to insulin, a critical hormone that regulates energy.

In its early stages, fatty liver disease usually has no symptoms. And some people with fatty liver disease can have normal blood tests.

The only sure way to diagnose the severity of fatty liver disease is by getting a liver biopsy. For this test, a doctor inserts a thin needle through the skin and into the liver to remove a small piece of tissue for analysis.

The MELD score can be calculated using a programmed equation. With access to leading therapies and state-of-the-art technologies, our liver disease specialists work together to provide personalized care for each patient. Our internationally renowned specialists have extensive expertise in treating common and complex liver diseases. Some people with liver disease have related medical problems in other areas, such as diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease.

At UChicago Medicine, all of our highly specialized physicians work under the same roof and are in continual communication with one another. Whether you need care from an endocrinologist, nephrologist, cardiologist, transplant surgeon or any other specialist, you can be assured that these specialists will collaborate on your behalf. Individually tailored treatment, personalized support and ongoing education help patients through the lengthy and often challenging journey of living with liver disease.

Nurse specialists, physician assistants, social workers, registered dietitians and other members of our team have important roles supporting each patient and their family throughout treatment.

Our team oversees many clinical trials of new therapies for liver disease. Research leads to better ways to treat, diagnose and even prevent liver disease. Members of our team are actively involved in research on two fronts: in the lab basic research and with patients clinical research. In the lab, scientists are focusing on hepatitis and other liver diseases at the cellular level. Deeper understanding about how liver disease develops and progresses can lead to more effective treatments. Clinical research often has a more timely impact on treating liver disease.

Often, these clinical trials are open to individuals whose disease has relapsed or resisted standard treatments. The University of Chicago Medicine is one of the most experienced centers for liver transplantation. Our liver transplant program was established in — the first in the Midwest and only the fourth liver transplant program in the U. Over the decades, transplant surgeons here have made innovations that have revolutionized liver transplantation, particularly in the area of living-donor transplant.

The University of Chicago Medicine has one of the premier gastroenterology and hepatology programs in the United States. We offer online appointment scheduling for video and in-person appointments for adult and pediatric primary care and many specialties.

Appointments Close Appointments Schedule your appointment online for primary care and many specialties. Schedule an Appointment Online To request an appointment, please use our secure online form. Request an Appointment Get an online second opinion from one of our experts without having to leave your home. Care Connection Ingalls For help with Ingalls Care Connection, call us at or email portalsupport ingalls.

Share with facebook Share with twitter Share with linkedin. Online Second Opinions Learn how you can get second opinions without having to leave home. What is liver failure? As liver failure progresses, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms: Jaundice, or yellow eyes and skin Confusion or other mental difficulties Swelling in the belly, arms or legs Severe fatigue A tendency to bleed easily What is the difference between acute and chronic liver failure?

What treatments are available for liver failure? An innovative liver dialysis machine to help treat liver failure The Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System MARS is a liver dialysis machine used in the treatment of liver failure to enable native liver regeneration.

What is the difference between liver failure and cirrhosis? Liver disease can go through these stages: Inflammation: Increased activity of the immune system in the liver, leading to swelling of the liver Fibrosis: Early scarring that can follow inflammation in the liver Cirrhosis: Severe scarring of the liver that accumulates with prolonged inflammation and typically cannot be reversed End-stage liver disease: Little to no liver function often called liver failure.

Can a damaged liver repair itself? Acute liver failure can be caused by hepatitis. It can also be caused by taking medicines such as acetaminophen. In some cases, the cause for the disease is unknown. Taking too much acetaminophen causes most cases of acute liver failure. Acetaminophen is a painkiller found in many over-the-counter and prescription medicines. There are also other things that can lead to acute liver failure.

As the disease gets worse, however, you may also become confused and extremely sleepy. Other symptoms include bruising or bleeding easily, vomiting blood, and a buildup of fluid in your abdomen. Liver failure is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Your healthcare provider will probably do an evaluation to find out if you have a history of drug use, exposure to toxins, and to check for signs of hepatitis. These signs include jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Your healthcare provider will also test your mental alertness. He or she may also do blood tests. These tests will check your liver enzymes, bilirubin levels, and prothrombin time.