The liver is an important organ in the body responsible for making proteins and breaking down glucose for energy. Sometimes, the liver can become scarred and begin to malfunction. People with liver problems typically develop nausea, stomach pain and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Fortunately, the diseases of the liver can be managed.
Acute Liver Failure
Acute liver failure refers to a serious medical problem in which the liver no longer functions. The Mayo Clinic says that acute liver failure typically occurs gradually over years.
Specific acute liver failure symptoms include stomach tenderness in the upper right region of the stomach, vomiting, nausea and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Other symptoms include trouble concentrating, muscle tremors, trouble sleeping and confusion. Additional acute liver failure symptoms include disorientation.
Acute liver failure can be due to myriad things. For instance, taking excessive amounts of acetaminophen, taking herbal supplements such as kava and suffering from autoimmune hepatitis can lead to acute liver failure. Sometimes, cancer and metabolic diseases such as portal vein thrombosis--a blood clot in the liver's blood vessel--can also lead to acute liver failure.
Treating acute liver failure involves treating the cause. For example, the antidote medication for acetaminophen can be given if an individual suffers from acetaminophen overdose. Also screening for such infections as hepatitis and preventing severe bleeding can also help manage acute liver failure. Another treatment option involves getting a liver transplant.
Gilbert Syndrome
The Mayo Clinic says that Gilbert syndrome is a minor liver problem in which the liver doesn't adequately breakdown bilirubin, the breakdown products for red blood cells. Typically, this disease is not life-threatening, and it affects 3 to 7 percent of the United States population.
Symptoms of Gilbert syndrome include stomach pain, fatigue and weakness. This condition may also lead to mild yellowing of the skin or eyes, also called jaundice.
Risk factors for developing Gilbert syndrome include inheriting abnormal genes.
Treatment for Gilbert syndrome is unnecessary especially if the condition is mild. However, phenobarbital may be given to decrease bilirubin levels.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis refers to a potentially fatal disease in which the liver tissues are replaced with scar tissues.
MedlinePlus says that cirrhosis symptoms include stomach indigestion, confusion, nausea, vomiting, impotence and vomiting blood. Other cirrhosis symptoms include weight loss, yellowing of the eyes or skin, swelling up of the legs or stomach and clay-colored stools.
Cirrhosis can be the result of such infections as hepatitis C or B, prolonged alcohol use and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Medications and an autoimmune inflammation of the liver can also lead to cirrhosis.
Treating cirrhosis involves limiting salt in the diet, avoiding alcohol and taking diuretics, antibiotics or lactulose medication as a physician prescribes. Sometimes, a shunt called a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt may be needed to drain the stomach. In some cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.
