What Is Hepatic Encephalopathy

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What Is Hepatic Encephalopathy

Hepatic EncephalopathyExplore this section to learn more about Hepatic Encephalopathy, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed.Why is the liver important?The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side.The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood.What is hepatic encephalopathy?Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a brain disorder that is caused by liver damage. HE can be an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) condition and can be mild, moderate, or severe.What causes an episode of hepatic encephalopathy?HE occurs when the liver

is damaged and cannot remove toxic chemicals, such as ammonia, from the blood. These chemicals then enter the brain and cause it to not function well.The following factors may trigger HE:Dehydration (loss of water from the body)Low oxygen levels in the bodyEating too much proteinConstipationMedications that affect the nervous system, such as tranquilizers or sleep medicationsInfectionsIntestine, stomach, or esophagus bleedingKidney problemsSurgery

..What are the symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy?HE can cause mental and physical symptoms. They can vary person to person, and may progress slowly or occur suddenly.Symptoms may include:Mild confusionForgetfulnessPersonality or mood changesPoor concentrationPoor judgmentStale or sweet odored breathChange in sleep patternsWorsening of handwriting or small hand movementsSevere symptoms may include:Unusual movements or shaking of hands or arms (also known as “flappingâ€)Extreme anxietySeizuresSevere confusionSleepiness or fatigueSevere personality changesJumbled and slurred speechSlow movement

..What are the complications of hepatic encephalopathy?Complications of HE may include:Brain swellingPermanent nervous system damageIncreased risk of heart failure, kidney failure, respiratory failure and sepsis (blood poisoning)Coma

..How is hepatic encephalopathy treated?HE can be a medical emergency and hospitalization is usually required. It is important to see a doctor as soon as symptoms begin. At the hospital, doctors determine and treat what may have caused hepatic encephalopathy. Treatments aim to manage the disease and keep people out of the hospital.Depending on the cause, treatments may include:Stopping intestine, stomach, and esophagus bleedingHealing infectionsAddressing kidney failureProviding life support if the person is in a comaFor people with chronic HE, doctors may recommend:Diet changes such as avoiding too much or too little proteinRifaximin (Xifaxan) to reduce bacteria in the intestines that make toxins the liver cannot processLactulose (type of sugar) to prevent the liver from absorbing toxins from the intestinePrevention and

treatment of constipationMedicine to remove blood from the intestines or procedures to control active bleeding.

Medicine to treat infections

..What is the best way to reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy?The best way to reduce the risk of HE is to prevent, treat, or manage liver disease. Talk to your doctor about risk factors and steps that can be taken to prevent chronic HE.Facts-At-A-GlanceHepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a brain disorder caused by liver damageHE can be an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) condition and can be mild, moderate, or severeHE occurs when the liver cannot remove toxic chemicals in the blood and these chemicals enter the brainSymptoms of HE may progress slowly, or may occur suddenlyCommon symptoms of HE include confusion, forgetfulness, personality or mood changes, poor concentration and judgment, stale or sweet odored breath, change in sleep patterns, and worsening of handwriting or small hand movementsPeople with HE can enter

a coma or have brain damageHE can be a medical emergency and hospitalization is usually requiredTreatments aim to manage the disease and keep people out of the hospitalThe best way to reduce the risk of HE is to prevent, treat, or manage liver disease

http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/hepaticencephalopathy/

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