Liver Failure and Seniors – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

By Jamie Shapiro | November 3, 2016 | Comments Off on Liver Failure and Seniors – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Senior Care in Wilmette IL

Liver failure develops when most of the liver becomes damaged beyond repair, causing this organ to be unable to function. Without understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of this Senior-Care-in-Wilmette-ILmedical condition, your elderly loved one’s life could be at risk. Liver failure usually occurs after years of damage, but can occur rapidly in rare cases.

This condition can be extremely difficult to detect right away, especially for those older adults who live alone. To ensure that your loved one gets the medical attention needed, professional caregivers and elder care providers can look after the elder. These caregivers can help the elder with a number of tasks and chores, while also keeping a close eye on their health, reporting anything to their doctor that seems unusual. By learning more about liver failure, you, family members, and home care providers will be able to contact the elder’s doctor immediately.

 

Causes

There are a number of causes for liver failure, some of which have to do with other medical conditions. These causes include:

  • Hepatitis B and C
  • Long-term use of alcohol
  • Cirrhosis
  • Hemochromatosis, which is an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron
  • Malnutrition

 

Acute liver failure is a type of liver failure that occurs very quickly, usually within 48 hours. Some of the causes of this rare condition are:

  • Certain viruses, such as hepatitis A, B, and C
  • Side effects of certain over-the-counter and prescription medications
  • Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, overdose
  • Ingestion of poisonous mushrooms

 

Symptoms

Liver failure can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often correlate to other health problems. However, if you notice any of these symptoms, contact the senior’s doctor as soon as possible.

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bleeding easily
  • Swollen abdomen
  • Jaundice
  • Coma
  • Becoming mentally disoriented or confused

 

Treatment

As long as the condition is diagnosed early enough, there are a number of treatment options available. If the cause of the condition is an overdose of acetaminophen, the liver damage may be able to be reversed. If the elder’s liver is severely damaged, the doctor may decide to try to save the part of the liver that is still working properly. If they are unable to save any part of the liver, a liver transplant may be an option.

Liver failure can be fatal, but by receiving prompt treatment, your aging parent will have an excellent chance of treating their medical condition.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Wilmette, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

Source:  https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-liver-failure#1

Jamie Shapiro
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