![]() Hepatic encephalopathy can make the activities of day-to-day life difficult to carry out. Hepatic encephalopathy can cause a range of symptoms, such as:Īsterixis, which can cause involuntary movements like trembling and ‘hand flapping’ As patients with end-stage liver disease come closer to death, the risk of developing this complication may increase. Most people who develop hepatic encephalopathy will survive for around 12 months. Hepatic encephalopathy, or brain damage related to liver disease, occurs when the buildup of toxins in the bloodstream interferes with brain function. Studies have found that around 50% of liver disease patients with ascites die within two years. It can also cause shortness of breath, as the pressure of the fluid in the abdomen makes it difficult for the lungs to expand.Īscites is a serious complication of liver disease. This is an uncomfortable complication of end-stage liver disease that can lead to symptoms such as swelling, bloating, and abdominal pain. These also have recognizable symptoms, which can include: AscitesĪscites is a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. People with end-stage liver disease can also develop several complications. Mental health problems: Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are common in people with end-stage liver disease. Muscle cramps: Although these are very common in patients with end-stage liver disease, researchers are still not clear exactly what causes them.Ĭhanges in consciousness: When enough toxins build up in the bloodstream, this can impair brain function enough to send a person into a coma. Sleep disturbances: People often experience insomnia at night and daytime sleepiness. When the liver can’t make enough of these proteins, the blood’s ability to clot is impaired. Loss of appetite: People in the final stages of liver disease may struggle to eat, leading to malnutrition.Įasy bleeding and bruising: This happens because the liver normally produces proteins needed for blood clotting. Nausea: This is also related to the buildup of toxins in the bloodstream. Neurological symptoms: Trouble concentrating, memory loss, and disorientation may occur, as toxins build up in the bloodstream and interfere with brain function. This occurs due to a buildup of bilirubin, which is a toxin that is normally removed by a healthy liver. Jaundice: Jaundice is the yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes. A person with shortness of breath may not be able to get enough oxygen into the blood in their lungs, leading to symptoms throughout the body. This can occur for a few different reasons, including changes in blood flow and increases in pressure due to fluid buildup. Shortness of breath: People with end-stage liver disease may develop dyspnea, also known as shortness of breath. This happens when fluid is retained and builds up in the limbs, especially in the legs and feet. Swelling: In the advanced stages of liver disease, people may develop swelling in the extremities - also known as peripheral edema. In some people, itchy skin occurs all over the body, while others experience it as concentrated in one or a few spots, often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Itching: People with liver failure may develop itchy skin, also known as pruritus. Some of the symptoms that people with end-stage liver disease experience in the final stages of their life include:įatigue: People often experience severe fatigue, drowsiness, and weakness. The final symptoms of end-stage liver diseaseĮnd-stage liver disease can cause numerous distressing symptoms, particularly in the last few months of a person’s life.Ī small study on people with end-stage liver disease found that all participants experienced significant liver failure symptoms in the three months before they died.² It also found that they experienced an average of 14 major symptoms in their final month before death. Awareness of the signs and symptoms can help patients and their families plan what treatment or end-of-life care should be provided. ![]() End-stage liver disease affects around 5.5 million people in the United States.¹ Compared with other end-stage diseases, end-stage liver disease more commonly affects those in younger age groups.Įnd-stage liver disease is the final stage of liver failure and typically comes with various symptoms and complications. Caring for patients with end-stage liver diseaseĬhronic liver disease is the fifth leading cause of death in people between the ages of 45 and 64.Can you survive with end-stage liver disease?.Can end-stage liver disease be reversed?.Model for end-stage liver disease explained (MELD).The end-stage liver disease death process.The final symptoms of end-stage liver disease. ![]()
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