Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy is a loss of brain function from advanced liver disease. The effects of the condition depend on the type of liver damage and how severe it is. In some cases, hepatic encephalopathy can be reversed.
CAUSES
The exact cause of hepatic encephalopathy is not known.
RISK FACTORS
You have a higher risk of getting this condition if your liver is damaged. When the liver is damaged harmful substances called toxins can build up in the body. Certain toxins, such as ammonia, can harm your brain. Conditions that can cause liver damage include:
An infection.
Dehydration.
Intestinal bleeding.
Drinking too much alcohol.
Taking certain medicines, including tranquilizers, water pills (diuretics), antidepressants, or sleeping pills. …show more content…
Worsening or Severe Hepatic Encephalopathy
Slowed movement.
Slurred speech.
Extreme personality changes.
Disorientation.
Abnormal shaking or flapping of the hands.
Coma.
DIAGNOSIS
To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will do a physical exam. To rule out other causes of your signs and symptoms, he or she may order tests. You may have:
Blood tests. These may be done to check your ammonia level, measure how long it takes your blood to clot, and check for infection.
Liver function tests. These may be done to check how well your liver is working.
MRI and CT scans. These may be done to check for a brain disorder.
Electroencephalogram (EEG). This may be done to measure the electrical activity in your brain.
TREATMENT
The first step in treatment is identifying and treating possible triggers. The next step is involves taking medicine to lower the level of toxins in the body and to prevent ammonia from building up. You may need to take:
Antibiotics to reduce the ammonia-producing bacteria in your gut.
Lactulose to help flush ammonia from the gut.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Eating and
Hepatic encephalopathy is a loss of brain function from advanced liver disease. The effects of the condition depend on the type of liver damage and how severe it is. In some cases, hepatic encephalopathy can be reversed.
CAUSES
The exact cause of hepatic encephalopathy is not known.
RISK FACTORS
You have a higher risk of getting this condition if your liver is damaged. When the liver is damaged harmful substances called toxins can build up in the body. Certain toxins, such as ammonia, can harm your brain. Conditions that can cause liver damage include:
An infection.
Dehydration.
Intestinal bleeding.
Drinking too much alcohol.
Taking certain medicines, including tranquilizers, water pills (diuretics), antidepressants, or sleeping pills. …show more content…
Worsening or Severe Hepatic Encephalopathy
Slowed movement.
Slurred speech.
Extreme personality changes.
Disorientation.
Abnormal shaking or flapping of the hands.
Coma.
DIAGNOSIS
To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will do a physical exam. To rule out other causes of your signs and symptoms, he or she may order tests. You may have:
Blood tests. These may be done to check your ammonia level, measure how long it takes your blood to clot, and check for infection.
Liver function tests. These may be done to check how well your liver is working.
MRI and CT scans. These may be done to check for a brain disorder.
Electroencephalogram (EEG). This may be done to measure the electrical activity in your brain.
TREATMENT
The first step in treatment is identifying and treating possible triggers. The next step is involves taking medicine to lower the level of toxins in the body and to prevent ammonia from building up. You may need to take:
Antibiotics to reduce the ammonia-producing bacteria in your gut.
Lactulose to help flush ammonia from the gut.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Eating and