LIVER CONDITIONS

Acute Liver Disease

Acute liver disease which includes Fulminant Hepatic failure (FHF)

Acute Liver Diseases are those that occur rapidly over a period of 0-26 weeks and are characterised by a quick deterioration in the condition of the liver that leads to symptoms of yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice) and a confusional state called Hepatic Encephalopathy. There are a variety of causes, drugs, which prove sensitive in certain individuals, certain foods especially shell fish and cold meats etc sold at curb side café’s, viral infections and some homeopathic remedies. In pregnancy there are several conditions that can lead to acute liver disease and these require immediate attention. Not all acute liver disease becomes serious and in the vast majority of cases there is a period of feeling extremely nauseous followed by length of time feeling very tired as the liver recovers. However, in a small number of patients (and this varies according to what has caused the liver injury in the first place) the liver will become so unwell that hospitalisation and monitoring of the liver will need to be undertaken and if the liver fails, to an extent where recovery is not possible, then a Liver Transplant will be considered. For this reason anyone suspected of having acute liver disease must be observed in a Liver Unit.

If you are already concerned that you may have acute liver disease then answer these questions and if positive then discuss with your GP, please remember that there may be a perfectly simple reason for your symptoms and that they may bear no relation to acute liver problems:

Have you recently travelled abroad and come home and felt unwell with a noticeable yellowing of the eyes?
Are you pregnant with itching that is unrelieved by creams and that feels almost like burning in your hands and feet?
Have you had a course of antibiotics or medications in the last 6 months, that are new for you, and now you feel unwell with yellowing of the eyes +/- general itching?
Do you feel acutely nauseous and has this lasted for longer then 48 hours and have you eaten shellfish, strawberries or cold meats from a dubious source?
Have you recently had any symptoms that include extreme tiredness, debilitating nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching, yellowing of the eyes, profound weight loss that was not caused by dieting, confusion (usually noted by family and friends)?

The main symptoms that should always be investigated are jaundice, severe weight loss for no apparent reason and a combination of tiredness, loss of appetite, right upper abdominal pain, dark coloured urine and a noticeable change in your bowel function.