One of the most complex organs in the human body is the liver. It has numerous functions which includes energy storage, hormones and proteins production, detoxification and regulation of blood sugar and cholesterol.
Acute Liver Disease (ALD) is a life-threatening condition in which there is a rapid deterioration in liver function within a few days or weeks with a life expectancy of 9-12 years.
It can be caused by Hepatitis virus, overdose of drugs, Herbal medication, Herpes Simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, consumption of poisonous wild mushroom, Wilson’s disease, aseptic shock, industrial toxins and acute fatty liver of pregnancy.
The symptoms presented are fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, distress on the right side and diarrhoea. It progresses from Stage 1 (Inflammation), Stage 2 (Fibrosis), Stage 3 (Cirrhosis) to stage 4 (End-stage liver failure).
Some of the complications of this disease are cerebral oedema, blood clotting difficulties, infections (urinary tract infections, pneumonia) and kidney failure.
Laboratory diagnosis involves Full Blood Count, Prothrobin Time tests, Liver enzyme tests (aspartate transfersse, alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase), and liver biopsy. Imaging tests can also be done to detect ALD.
Specific medications and supportive care of the causative virus can be utilized in treatment. Meanwhile, if these methods are not effective, liver transplant can be done.
Preventive measures include maintaining a healthy body weight, sticking to a balanced diet, alcohol abstinence, proper hygiene, safe sex and vaccination against Hepatitis virus.
All the necessary laboratory tests for diagnosing Acute Liver Disease can be carried out at MedBioTech Laboratory. You can visit us to know the state of your health.
