Hepatic means relating to, acting on or occurring in the liver. Encephalopathy means degeneration of brain function, often caused by toxins in the blood that enter your brain and interfere with its ability to function. So hepatic encephalopathy, also referred to as liver encephalopathy, is reduced brain function that’s tied to liver function.
Liver encephalopathy typically occurs when neurotoxins build up in the bloodstream because some sort of liver problem prevents toxic substances to be removed or rendered harmless. The usual causes of this type of encephalopathy are cirrhosis, chronic liver disease and hepatitis.
Hepatic encephalopathy may also be triggered by these factors:
- surgery
- hypoxia
- infections
- dehydration
- constipation
- kidney problems
- stomach or intestinal bleeding
- excessive protein consumption
- drugs affecting central nervous system ~ tranquilizer, sleep medication
- electrolyte imbalance (particularly low potassium) ~ vomiting, paracentesis, diuretics
Symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy may come on gradually mild or occur suddenly severe. Initial mild symptoms involve subtle adverse changes in your thinking, concentration, memory, judgement and mood. Also, you may experience problems with fine motor movements and your breath may smell musty or sweet.
With severe liver encephalopathy, your symptoms may involve flapping or sluggish movements, agitation, disorientation and slurred or jumbled speech. Unconsciousness, coma and permanent nervous system damage are a potential outcomes as well. And you’ll be at an increased risk for heart failure, kidney failure, respiratory failure and sepsis. This stage is an emergency, so it’s vital that you seek treatment at the first sign of symptoms.
Hepatic encephalopathy treatment depends on its cause. If you have a liver disorder, then treating it may help prevent its development. In the event a liver problem is not the primary cause, then your health care provider must find and treat the factors that did cause it, for instance:
- clear up infection
- treat kidney issue
- balance electrolytes
- remedy constipation
- reduce protein intake
- avoid drugs broken down by the liver
- intestinal bleeding stopped & blood emptied
- medications to reduce intestinal bacteria production of ammonia
The recovery from and recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy varies among individuals.