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For early detection and prevention, it’s a good idea to get regular blood tests. Symptoms of liver failure include diarrhea, weight loss, appetite loss, confusion, and disorientation.īecause symptoms of disease in the liver are either nonexistent or can also be indicators of other health issues, it may not always be properly diagnosed. Chronic liver failure, on the other hand, happens gradually over time as the liver progresses through each of the four stages. Acute liver failure happens quickly (within 48 hours), generally as a reaction to toxicity or a drug overdose. At this stage, the liver cannot be repaired on its own or with treatments a liver transplant is the only option for recovery. When the liver stops functioning altogether, this refers to liver failure: the final stage of disease. Those with cirrhosis are also more susceptible to developing liver cancer. There can be several years-decades, even-between the second and third stages of liver disease, so act early if you have any reason to suspect you are at risk.ĭuring this stage of disease, symptoms become more noticeable: pain and discomfort, fatigue, appetite loss, fluid retention, jaundice, and an itchy feeling around the liver. Stage 3: CirrhosisĬirrhosis refers to severe, irreversible scarring of the liver. Because this stage is still mild to moderate, many people will still not experience symptoms. If detected early enough, though, fibrosis is still treatable. Once healthy liver cells are replaced by scar tissue, those parts of the liver cannot be repaired on their own. This hinders the liver’s abilities, as it can restrict blood flow through the organ. Untreated inflammation leads to scarring of the liver, or fibrosis. However, many people do not experience symptoms during the first stage of liver disease and are unaware of the damage as a result. This is especially important because the liver is able to repair itself in the early stages of disease.
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Liver inflammation, or hepatitis, can also occur when there are more toxins in the blood than the liver is able to manage.
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In the early stages of liver disease, the liver will become swollen or inflamed as the body’s natural response to injury. Liver disease can generally be broken down into four stages ranging from minor to severe. While causes and types of liver disease may vary, the progression of the disease and damage that occurs is similar.
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