The liver removes toxins from the body and generates enzymes involved in digestion. If cells within the liver are damaged or die suddenly, the liver may be unable to function normally. When this happens, patients can develop acute liver failure symptoms. Patients who exhibit any symptoms of acute liver failure require prompt medical attention from a health professional.
Abdominal Pain
Patients who experience acute liver failure can develop mild to severe pain within the upper right portion of the abdomen, which is where the liver is located, explains MayoClinic.com. The abdomen can be tender to the touch and painful sensations can make it difficult for affected patients to move about normally. Sudden or severe abdominal pain can be a sign of alternate medical problems, such as appendicitis, and requires prompt medical attention.
Stomach Upset
Liver inflammation and irritation resulting from liver cell damage can radiate into nearby organs, such as the intestines. When this occurs, patients with acute liver failure can develop stomach upset symptoms, that include nausea or vomiting. These acute liver failure symptoms can be uncomfortable and may result in a decreased appetite in affected patients.
Jaundice
The liver produces a digestive, yellow-colored substance called bilirubin. If the liver is not functioning normally due to excessive organ damage, bilirubin can abnormally accumulate within a patient's body. Consequently, patients with acute liver failure can develop jaundice as a symptom of this condition, warns the Merck Manual, an online medical encyclopedia for patients and caregivers. Jaundice is characterized by an unusual yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin of affected patients. Patients who develop jaundice for any reason should seek additional medical care. Without treatment, jaundice can result in significant medical complications.
Flulike Symptoms
Patients with acute liver failure can develop flulike symptoms due to this disease. Such symptoms typically arise suddenly and can include fatigue, malaise or weakness, explains the Merck Manual and MayoClinic.com. Affected patients should consult a physician as these flulike symptoms can be signs of alternate medical problems.
Encephalopathy
In healthy patients, the liver functions to remove toxins from the body. If the liver is unable to function normally due to liver cell damage, these toxins can accumulate within the brain tissue. When this occurs, patients can develop a symptom referred to as encephalopathy, a term used to describe a brain disease that affects the structure or function of an affected brain, according to health officials at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Patients who develop encephalopathy can exhibit unusual confusion, memory loss, personality changes or difficulty sleeping. These potentially life-threatening acute liver failure symptoms require immediate medical attention from a physician.
