About this topic
Your liver is a very important organ. It helps you break down food and can help fight infection. Your liver also removes harmful chemicals from the blood. ‚
Your liver may be damaged and suddenly stop working. This is an acute liver failure or ALF. Harmful substances can build up in your body when your liver is damaged. This can cause more harm to your liver. They can also harm other parts of your body. ‚
Many things can cause ALF. Drinking too much alcohol, taking too much of certain drugs, or using some herbs may harm your liver. Other health problems, like viruses or poor nutrition, can also harm your liver. This can be a very serious condition. You may even need to have a liver transplant if you have ALF. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs the right way. Talk to your doctor if you are having any problems with your drugs.
- Avoid people who are sick.
- Rest when you feel tired.
- Stop smoking. Do not drink beer, wine, or mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Wash your hand often. Some liver problems are spread by contact with an infected person or items.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight or prevent an infection
- Stop your body from absorbing a poison
- Help with bleeding problems
- Help with swelling
Will physical activity be limited?
Rest is important. Your activity level will depend on the procedure or treatment that you are getting. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Ask your doctor when you can go back to your normal activities. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Eating a healthy diet is important during this time. If you need help or want some suggestions, ask to see a dietitian. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Swelling of the pancreas
- Bleeding or anemia problems
- Infection
- Low blood sugar
- Brain problems
- Kidney problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Some ways can help lower your chance of having ALF: ‚
- Follow your doctors orders on how much and how to take your drugs.
- Tell your doctor about all the drugs you are taking.
- Limit the amount of beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) you drink:
- Not more than 1 drink a day for women
- Not more than 2 drinks a day for men
- Do not eat wild mushrooms
- Stay away from illicit drug use.
- Get vaccinated against illnesses like hepatitis.
- Do not share razors, needles, or other personal items with others.
- Follow safety measures when handling blood or needles at work.
- If you get a tattoo or body piercing, make sure the place is clean, safe, and uses sterile tools.
- Use condoms to prevent the spread of viruses like hepatitis.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, or passing less urine.
- Signs of low blood sugar. These include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.
- Feeling very confused
- Feeling very weak or tired
- Problems with bleeding like:
- Blood in your stool
- Throwing up blood
- Bleeding or bruising
- Belly pain
- Swollen legs or ankles
- Trouble breathing
- Very sleepy (more than expected)
- Skin and whites of the eyes are yellow in color
- You are not feeling better in 2 t 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
Join a support group to get to know other people who have coped with the condition. You may find it comforting to be with others who share your same problems. You can learn a lot from others who are going through the same thing as you. ‚
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of infection, low blood sugar, bleeding, or if the whites of my eyes or skin turn yellow.
Where can I learn more?
American Liver Foundation ‚
http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/liverhealth/ ‚
US National Library of Medicine ‚
http://livertox.nih.gov/Phenotypes_fail.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚