Hepatic Encephalopathy Quiz
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Learn more about Hepatic encephalopathy
Content updated on Sep 20, 2022
The liver removes toxins like ammonia from blood. In liver failure, these toxins build up in the body and brain causing confusion and abnormal behavior.
History of liver cirrhosis
My brain is not functioning right now
Becoming more dazed or less responsive than usual
Nausea or vomiting
Swelling of the arms or hands
History of dementia
Skin or eyes turning yellow
Facial swelling
Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose hepatic encephalopathy
Have you ever been diagnosed with cirrhosis?
Do you have problems focusing or a reduced sense of awareness in your surroundings?
Are you more drowsy or sleepy than usual?
Do you have nausea or vomiting?
Do you have swelling in your hands or arms?
Treatment aims at reducing the amount of toxins, hence slowing down the worsening of illness. This is done through laxatives that draw toxins into the intestines and out of the body. Antibiotics can also reduce the amount of bacteria in the colon, making them produce fewer toxins. Ultimately, treatment of the cause (liver failure) is needed for the condition to improve.
View the symptoms of Hepatic encephalopathy
Diseases related to Hepatic encephalopathy
References
Weissenborn K. Hepatic Encephalopathy: Definition, Clinical Grading and Diagnostic Principles. Drugs. 2019 Feb;79(Suppl 1):5-9. doi: 10.1007/s40265-018-1018-z. PMID: 30706420; PMCID: PMC6416238.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40265-018-1018-z
Wijdicks EF. Hepatic Encephalopathy. N Engl J Med. 2016 Oct 27;375(17):1660-1670. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1600561. PMID: 27783916.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMra1600561
Rose CF, Amodio P, Bajaj JS, Dhiman RK, Montagnese S, Taylor-Robinson SD, Vilstrup H, Jalan R. Hepatic encephalopathy: Novel insights into classification, pathophysiology and therapy. J Hepatol. 2020 Dec;73(6):1526-1547. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.07.013. Epub 2020 Oct 21. PMID: 33097308.
https://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278(20)30466-9/fulltext
Patidar KR, Bajaj JS. Covert and Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy: Diagnosis and Management. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Nov;13(12):2048-61. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2015.06.039. Epub 2015 Jul 9. PMID: 26164219; PMCID: PMC4618040.
https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(15)00917-9/fulltext
Said VJ, Garcia-Trujillo E. Beyond Lactulose: Treatment Options for Hepatic Encephalopathy. Gastroenterol Nurs. 2019 May/Jun;42(3):277-285. doi: 10.1097/SGA.0000000000000376. PMID: 31145253.
https://journals.lww.com/gastroenterologynursing/Abstract/2019/05000/Beyond_Lactulose__Treatment_Options_for_Hepatic.8.aspx
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