Treatment Options

Treatments for liver ailments are as varied as the types of diseases that affect the liver. Therapy must be specific as different problems can affect the liver in different ways. Patients with gallbladder inflammation and stones can usually have surgery that will completely resolve their condition. Hepatitis C requires treatments to manage hydration while the immune system fights off the infection. Depending on the severity of the disease and the prognosis of the patient, the only treatment available might be to manage symptoms and provide comfort while the disease runs its course.

Treating Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a condition that causes scarring of the liver as a result of hepatitis, heavy alcohol use, an autoimmune disorder or the use of certain medications. In the later stages of the disease, the absorption of protein must be controlled because the damaged liver may have trouble processing the waste products. This can result in high levels of blood ammonia and hepatic encephalopathy. Usually medications can be used to help control protein absorption along with changes in the patient’s diet.

Complications With Treatment

Managing the complications of liver disease is also important to prevent further degradation of liver function and secondary infections. Ascites fluid can accumulate in excess amounts as a result of portal hypertension due to cirrhosis. Treatment is usually a combination of diuretics and salt restriction but can also include paracentesis, which involved extracting the excess fluid with a syringe. Bleeding varices are another common complication of liver disease due to the increased blood flow through the esophageal veins as the blood supply becomes restricted through the scarred liver. This condition is treated by using an endoscope to examine the bleeding veins. Physician then can either inject a clotting agent directly into the varices or use a rubber band to cut off blood leakage.

Liver Transplants

For the most serious cases of liver disease, transplantation is recommended. This treatment is not without risks. The patient must be healthy enough to survive the surgery which can be quite complicated and take upwards of 18 hours to perform. The transplant organ must also be a perfect match for the right blood type. The patient will need to take immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection of the new liver.

Liver Transplant Rejection

The odds of rejection decrease over time for liver transplant patients, but most will need to remain on the immunosuppressive medications. Depending on the health of the patient and the condition of the transplant liver, the results of the surgery are usually good with 58% of transplant patients surviving fifteen years or more.

Treatment options will likely be quite expensive for a person suffering from liver damage as a result of the use of acetaminophen, so it is important to consult with an attorney to discuss the possibility of receiving just compensation because of the liability of a drug manufacturer.