Every kind of liver disease has its individual regimen. One example is Hepatitis A which requires support and care for maintenance of hydration as the patient’s immunity system fights against and resolves infection. On the other hand, those with gallstones may need surgery for removal of the gallbladder. Other conditions may require long-term liver disease treatment for minimization of consequences and control.
For patients of end-stage liver disease and cirrhosis, medicines may be used for control of the protein absorbed from diet. A liver affected by cirrhosis may be unable to metabolize the waste produced in the body. This results in elevation of ammonia level in blood and causes hepatic encephalopathy. Water retention can be minimized by following a low-sodium diet and consuming diuretics or water pills.
In portal hypertension cases, operations may be needed to minimize bleeding risks. Liver transplant is usually the final resort when treating patients whose livers have or are going to fail.
Complications of Liver Disease
Apart from certain viral infections, like infectious mononucleosis and Hepatitis A, and gallstone disease, the majority of liver diseases can only be managed, not cured. Some liver conditions can be related to a higher risk of liver cancer. Often, liver disease progresses to liver cirrhosis and failure. Complications associated include increased chances of infection and bleeding, weight loss, malnutrition, and lower cognitive function.
When Liver Transplant is Necessary
Doctors will usually consider liver transplant when the patient’s liver is completely dysfunctional or about to become so – liver failure. This can occur all of a sudden, without any previous warning, in which case it would be called acute liver failure. This may be due to complications or infections arising from use of specific medications or the final result of a chronic disease. The conditions mentioned below may culminate in liver failure:
- Chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
- Hemochromatosis – This is a commonly inherited disease in which the body is overwhelmed with iron content.
- Wilson’s disease – This is a rarely inherited disease in which the body faces an abnormal copper composition throughout, including in the liver. This causes failure.
- Alcoholism
- Sclerosing cholangitis – This is narrowing and scarring of the internal part of bile ducts and the liver’s exterior. This causes bile accumulation in the liver, leading to liver failure.
- Deficiency of Alpha-1 antitrypsin – This is an irregular accumulation of the protein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, in the liver, which results in cirrhosis.
- Primary biliary cirrhosis – This is a rare condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys bile ducts, leading to liver failure
- Biliary atresia – Bile duct malformation
How is Eligibility for Liver Transplant Determined?
Individual cases need to be evaluated by specialists from a number of medical fields before the suitability of liver transplant for liver disease treatment of the patient can be determined. This process of evaluation includes a medical history review as well as a number of tests. Several healthcare facilities will offer an interdisciplinary move towards evaluation and selection of candidates for liver transplant and liver disease treatment.