The liver is a very interesting organ that performs a variety of functions, the most common function that most people are familiar with is removing toxins from the blood. The liver also produces bile for digestion, it stores proteins, enzymes and vitamins. The liver can regenerate itself to a degree, but there are times when the liver fails, this is what we will concentrate on today.

Two Types of Liver Failure

As with many diseases you have acute symptoms and chronic failure. The liver is no different, the more common disease associated with the liver is chronic failure. Acute liver failure generally occurs when you ingest or overload the system with drugs such as Tylenol.

Chronic liver failure obviously occurs over a longer period of time. The most common name that comes to mind is “Cirrhosis,” this disease is identifiable with alcohol, but this is not the only cause. Some medications are extremely toxic and when taken for years on end can definitely burden the live to the point of failure.

Human Liver

Cirrhosis Symptoms

The symptoms of cirrhosis can often be confused with other diseases or illnesses. This is one reason a person with the following symptoms should consider asking their Doctor to do tests associated with the liver.

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Yellowing of the Skin
• Bruises Easily
• Appetite Reduction

As you can see the above symptoms could be related to a number of ailments, but the yellowing of the skin, also known as “Jaundice,” is the most telling sign of liver failure.

Acute Symptoms of Liver Failure

As mentioned before a person can overdose, mistakenly, and cause acute liver failure. The symptoms are much more definable in these cases. Of course vomiting blood or blood in the stool is immediate cause for concern and could be an indication of liver failure.

Lack of alertness, passing out, change in mood, delirium, are all signs of acute liver failure.

When there is sudden liver failure the build up of toxins can also cause a shortness of breath and muscle tremors. It goes without saying that if you experience any of the symptoms you must see your Doctor right away to identify the root of the problem.

Can The Gallbladder Cause Liver Failure?

Since the liver produces bile, which is used for digestion, there can be liver failure due to gallbladder problems. The most common problem people have with their gallbladder are gallstones. These stones can get lodged in the bile passage and prevent the bile produced by the liver from being delivered to the stomach. In cases like this the bile will back-up into the liver, maybe not to the point of failure right away, but certainly contribute to much discomfort.

If this condition is left unattended for a period of time it can certainly end up in liver failure. Besides the symptoms mentioned above the general symptoms associated with gallbladder problems are severe pain on the right side of the abdomen, sweating, and a feeling of passing out.

Liver failure can perpetuate other health problems that can be fatal if untreated. Since the liver is a toxin extractor for the body it is exposed to many elements that can contribute to its failure. Like any health issue the sooner you get checked out the sooner you can administer treatment and reverse the problem.

Liver Pain Symptoms

The liver is found in the upper right hand side of the abdomen. Pain in liver is often felt in the upper right quadrant of the stomach, though sometimes liver pain is mistaken for abdominal pain. The crucial issue for liver pain is that it is found as a pain on the right side of the body near the rib cage. Many alcohol drinkers notice liver pain, and the consumption of alcohol is usually followed by pain in liver. Visiting a doctor is one way to be sure that the pain right side is caused by the liver. Seeing if there are any other liver pain symptoms will provide a clue as to whether the pain is caused by a damaged liver or something else.

Liver Pain

Other Symptoms

Serious liver problems are often accompanied by a host of other problems. Hepatitis or liver disease may be the cause of the pain in right side. The liver removes toxic substances from the body, and when it is not working properly many people suffer from exhaustion. Difficulty breathing is another symptom that may accompany pain right side. The right shoulder may also hurt. Difficulty breathing, shoulder pain and exhaustion are a sign that there may be something seriously wrong with the liver. Itching and jaundice are two other symptoms that may accompany pain in liver. Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin, and it is easy to see in the whites of the eyes. It is advisable to see a doctor immediately, and they can diagnose for sure the reason behind the pain.

Diagnosis

Health care professionals can perform blood tests and other exams to diagnose whether pain right side is actually caused by a damaged liver. Blood tests are one of the first steps that a doctor will perform for their patients. These tests check for the healthy red blood cell counts that are associated with normal liver function. When there are inadequate red blood cells, there may be serious damage to the liver. Ultrasounds are also used to diagnose any type of liver disease. Often, hepatitis is accompanied by a swollen liver. The swelling is one of the reasons for the pain. Doctors will quickly notice if there is any swelling in their patients’ livers when they have an ultrasound performed.

Causes of Liver Pain

There are a number of health problems that are associated with pain right side. Impaired liver functioning may be the result of a disease or can be related to an unhealthy diet. Hepatitis is one of the major liver diseases. Drug use and alcohol consumption are two activities that are closely related to hepatitis. Fatty liver is another problem that can result in liver pain symptoms. This disease is caused by an inability of the liver to break down the fat that is consumed in the diet. Reducing fat intake is one way to improve liver function in the event that a person is suffering from fatty liver.

Treatment

Doctors can provide their patients with a number of approaches to improve the liver pain symptoms. Prescription pain killers are one way to get rid of any discomfort that is associated with problems. Liver disease can also be treated through the supplementation of certain foods and vegetables. Protein is one item that is responsible for a healthy liver. Adding protein to the diet improves hepatic function. Eliminating certain toxic substances from the diet is another good idea. Certain drugs may impair liver function. Doctors can provide more detailed information on which drugs may need to be removed from their patient’s repertoire. Alcoholic beverages exacerbate liver pain too. Restricting the consumption of alcoholic beverages is one of the first things that should be done to get rid of liver pain.

Liver pain symptoms can be the first sign of a serious health problem. The liver is found on the upper right side of the body under the rib cage. Liver pain is usually associated with a number of other issues. Shortness of breath, itching, jaundice, exhaustion and pain in the right shoulder are a few signs that pain right side are a sign of a liver problem. Seeing a doctor immediately is the best way to ensure any problem is quickly diagnosed. Fatty liver and hepatitis are two of the most common issues that can result in a pain in liver.

What Is Fatty Liver Disease?

A liver that functions normally is able to filter blood, break down waste, and produce bile for the digestive system; fatty liver disease is something that will hinder these functions. If the liver has to process too much fat, an accumulation of those cells will persist in the liver. As fat cells continue to accumulate, the liver will no longer be able to aid in the removal of toxins from the body. Although it is not a deadly disorder, a liver in a prolonged fatty state will weigh heavily on the overall health of the individual.

What Are The Symptoms?

While many individuals experience no fatty liver symptoms, they are experienced by a few people with the disorder.

Fatty Liver

Physical symptoms

One of the common symptoms experienced is that of fatty liver pain. As a fatty liver becomes inflamed, its lining will begin to stretch. This stretching will cause a dull pain just below the ribcage.

Another common symptom is that of fatigue. Although the reasoning behind it is not fully understood, it is believed that the accumulation of fat cells alters the chemical composition of the brain and causes a person to have less energy.

Digestive distress may also occur when one has fatty liver disease. Because a fatty liver inhibits the production of bile, a lack of it in the digestive system may affect the way it functions. Symptoms such as nausea, bloody stool, vomiting, dark urine, loss of appetite and sudden weight loss may all indicate the presence of a fatty liver.

In more severe cases, jaundice may be experienced. However, this yellowing of the skin or eyes may actually indicate that the liver is beginning to fail.

Internal indications

When no physical symptoms occur, fatty liver disease can still be detected by a doctor. In blood tests, for example, doctors will be able to notice if the liver chemistry is off. In addition to blood tests, doctors are also able to recognize a fatty liver with the help of ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs.

What Causes It To Occur?

With so many individuals ailed by this disorder, one would have to wonder how it comes about.

Substance abuse

A primary subset of all fatty liver-diseased individuals are abusers of drugs and alcohol. While these substances interfere with most processes in the body, they truly wreak havoc on the liver. Alcohol, in particular, contains a high amount of calories from fat. When this substance is abused, the excess fat is stored in various parts of the body; especially in the liver.

Poor diet

As fatty liver disease is caused by an excess of fat stored by the liver, it stands to reason that it can be caused by a poor diet. Diets that are high in fat and low in other nutrients will undoubtedly contribute to storage of fat in the liver.

Who Is Prone To Getting It?

There are two forms of fatty liver disease: alcoholic and nonalcoholic. Unfortunately, this indicates that this disorder can be acquired by a multitude of people for a variety of reasons.

Substance abusers

Substance abusers are most likely to become afflicted by the disorder. Drugs do not contain fat; however, they do increase the amount of toxins that the liver has to filter. By overrunning the liver with toxins, substance abusers risk damaging the liver’s ability to process fat.

Alcoholics are ultimately pumping their livers full of fat. With a fat content of 7 calories per gram, alcohol presents a relatively high amount of fat for the body. As stated previously, alcohol abuse will provide unnecessary amounts of alcohol and it will accumulate in the liver.

Individuals with poor diets

Diet that are rich in fatty, sugary foods will provide excess nutrients for the body. Unfortunately, many of these same nutrients will have to be stored as fat until they are needed. Individuals who maintain these diets will alter the liver’s metabolism for the worse; resulting in an increase in store fat cells.

Diabetics who do not manage their diets or blood sugars are also at risk of developing fatty liver disease.

Genetically predisposed individuals

While this disorder does not appear on its own, it can be influenced by genetic factors.

What Are The Treatment Options?

Fortunately for those with the condition, treatment of fatty liver is completely possible. With a few lifestyle adjustments, fatty liver treatment can be implemented successfully and the liver will return to normal.

Eliminate alcohol consumption

Alcohol-abusers who have fatty liver disease will reverse the effects of the disorder by abstaining from alcohol use.

Diet and exercise

Those who were afflicted by the disorder through metabolic issues will benefit from eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.

The Nature of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcohol abuse is the behavior that promotes the onset of liver disease due to the consumption of alcohol. It goes by other names such as alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis or Laennec’s cirrhosis, and typically occurs as a result of many years of drinking to excess. The nature of alcohol is such that the more one drinks, the more one has a tendency to drink more, and the longer more alcohol is consumed, the greater the probability that liver disease will develop.

Excessive or heavy drinking does not always affect all people similarly. There are genetic factors and individual susceptibility as well as the particular toxicity of the ethanol to the liver that play a role in how severely one is affected. There is empirical evidence that women are more susceptible to the disease than are men, and it does not necessarily correlate that one must get drunk for the disease to develop although acute alcoholic hepatitis is a risk associated with binge drinking. Malnutrition can contribute to alcoholic liver disease given the empty calories contained in alcohol. Drinking can lead to a reduced appetite, and what fewer nutrients are able to reach the intestines may be poorly absorbed, a condition known as malabsorption. Above all, the severity of the condition can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Variable symptoms can appear with differing intensity and may be more prevalent after periods of heavy drinking. As the affect of alcohol on the liver causes inflammation, known as alcoholic hepatitis, this can contribute to developing a fatty liver and eventually result in scarring of the liver tissue, called alcoholic cirrhosis. Once a liver has become cirrhotic, it has reached the end stage or final phase of the disease. Unfortunately, years may elapse before the symptoms become pronounced or noticeable, but that does not mean that the damage has not been done.

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Any of the following symptoms should be of concern when alcohol is being consumed:

• Dry mouth or excessive thirst
• Loss of appetite
• Tenderness or pain in the abdomen
• Weight gain or fluid collecting in the abdomen, also called ascites
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, called jaundice
• Nausea or vomitting
• Fatigue or agitation
• Fever
• Mental confusion known as encephalopathy, including impaired judgment and inability to concentrate
• Hallucinations
• Changes in mood
• Impaired memory
• Rapid heart rate or dizziness upon standing
• Paleness, redness, or abnormally light or dark skin
• Attention deficit
• Breast development in males
• Bloody or tarry stools

Tests and Treatment

There are tests that can be done to rule out other diseases, such as an abdominal CT scan or an ultrasound of the abdomen if there is concern regarding any of the symptoms mentioned here. Getting a complete blood count (CBC) and a liver function test (ALP) to check for elevated liver enzymes could prompt the need to get a liver biopsy.

More important than any other action that can be taken is to cease alcohol intake. When alcoholic cirrhosis develops, it could come down to managing the complications until a liver transplant can be performed. While it is not always easy to quit drinking, there are plenty of programs that can help a person rehabilitate while receiving counseling. At the same time, patients in rehab will be able to get the needed vitamins, B complex and folic acid supplements to help reverse malnutrition.

Support groups are also of great benefit to help ease the stress of the illness from alcoholic liver disease as members share common experiences. Group support maintains that a problem shared is a problem halved. Breaking the addiction to alcohol is difficult to try to accomplish alone, which is why it is crucial to connect with alcoholism support groups and liver disease support groups.

Certainly, the continued use of alcohol is the action that directly threatens the lifespan. A good place to begin would be to discuss alcohol intake with the family doctor to better understand what steps to take to restore better health. If alcoholic cirrhosis has not yet occurred, there is every chance that the liver can heal if no more alcohol is ingested, allowing the cells a good chance for revival.