Liver Failure: Understanding the Condition and When to Seek Specialised Treatment
Liver failure is a life-threatening condition occurring when the liver fails to function properly. As one of the most vital organs in the body, the liver plays a major role in digestion, detoxification, metabolism, and immune function. When the liver begins to fail, either suddenly or gradually, it disrupts multiple body systems and demands urgent medical intervention.
At King’s Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence, we are committed to providing timely, evidence-based care for patients suffering from acute or chronic liver failure, including those with end-stage liver disease.
What Is Liver Failure?
Liver failure is mainly classified into two types:
- Acute Liver Failure (ALF): A rare but severe condition in which liver function deteriorates rapidly, within days or weeks, in individuals without any pre-existing liver disease. Being a medical emergency, it can lead to complications like cerebral oedema, bleeding disorders, and multi-organ failure.
- Chronic Liver Failure (End-Stage Liver Disease): Typically results from long-standing liver conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C, fatty liver disease, or excessive alcohol intake. Over time, the liver gradually loses its ability to perform essential functions, leading to end-stage liver disease.
Causes and Risk Factors
Several factors can contribute to liver failure, including:
- Viral infections (hepatitis A, B, or C)
- Prolonged alcohol abuse
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Autoimmune liver diseases
- Drug toxicity (especially paracetamol overdose)
- Genetic conditions such as Wilson's disease or haemochromatosis
For acute liver failure, paracetamol overdose remains the most common cause. In contrast, chronic failure often stems from lifestyle-related issues or infections.
Symptoms
Liver failure symptoms can vary from patient to patient. Some of the common signs include:
- Persistent fatigue and weakness
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Confusion, drowsiness, or personality changes (hepatic encephalopathy)
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen
Early diagnosis is crucial to effectively managing liver failure.
Liver Failure Treatment in Dubai
Liver failure treatment in Dubai focuses on addressing the underlying cause, stabilising the patient, and preventing further complications.
At King’s Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence, the multidisciplinary team treats every patient with a personalised, evidence-based approach.
Acute Liver Failure Treatment in Dubai: Timely Action Can Save Your Life
King’s Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence has advanced diagnostic capabilities, ICU-level supportive care, and expert hepatologists to stabilise critical patients and prepare them for transplant.
End-Stage Liver Disease: A Transplant is the Answer
When the liver is severely damaged and cannot be recovered, liver transplantation remains the definitive treatment.
At King’s Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence, liver transplantation is not seen as just a surgery; it is a carefully guided journey led by an experienced team of specialists committed to giving patients a second chance at life.
When Is a Transplant Needed?
A transplant is typically considered when the liver is no longer able to perform its functions, even with medical treatment.
Conditions like cirrhosis, chronic viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, and some inherited disorders cause end-stage liver disease, making transplant the only life-saving option.
The Transplant Journey
There is a comprehensive and patient-focused process:
- Pre-transplant Evaluation: Thorough medical tests, psychological assessments, and consultations to ensure the patient is fit for surgery and long-term recovery.
- Donor Matching: We follow deceased and living donor protocols under strict ethical and clinical guidelines.
- Surgery and Immediate Care: Carried out by highly skilled surgeons, followed by critical care monitoring and gradual recovery.
- Post-transplant Follow-up: Patients are monitored closely and provided with immunosuppressive therapy, dietary support, and regular liver function evaluations to prevent rejection and ensure lasting results.
FAQs
Acute liver failure develops suddenly, usually in a person without known liver disease. Chronic liver failure occurs over months or years due to long-standing liver conditions and progresses into end-stage liver disease.
In some cases, especially with acute liver failure caused by drug toxicity or infections, the liver can recover with prompt treatment. Chronic liver failure may be managed, but reversal is rare, particularly in advanced stages.
If you’re feeling unusually tired, notice your skin or eyes turning yellow, bruising easily, or have swelling in your abdomen or legs, these could be early signs of liver ailments.
Yes, not all cases require a transplant. If detected early, liver failure can often be managed with the right medications, dietary changes, and close monitoring. But if the liver becomes too damaged, as in end-stage disease, a transplant may be the only option left.
A full medical evaluation helps decide if a transplant is right for you, based on your physical condition and any associated diseases or complications.
King's Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence: A Hope for the Hopeless
If you or your loved one is facing liver failure, know that expert help is close. At King’s Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence in Dubai, we combine global expertise with compassionate care to guide patients through every step, from diagnosis to recovery and beyond.
Don’t wait for symptoms to progress.
Schedule your consultation today for better liver health!
