What is Hepatic Encephalopathy and What are its Symptoms?

Hepatic encephalopathy is an impairment of brain functions that occurs due to liver diseases. In this disease, the liver fails to properly clear the toxins from the blood, which keeps accumulating, and the toxins in the bloodstream increase, ultimately reaching the brain. This buildup of toxins damages the brain’s functioning, and if untreated, the person can slip into a coma as the brain becomes unresponsive. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) can be short-term (acute condition) or long-term (chronic condition).

Types

Acute conditions of hepatic encephalopathy occur due to liver disease, so it can also indicate liver failure. The conditions that lead to this are:

• Toxic hepatitis: caused when exposed to chemicals, alcohol, supplements, or drugs.
• Acute fulminant viral hepatitis: this type of hepatitis is a severe viral condition and occurs suddenly.
• Reye’s syndrome: this is a more rare yet serious condition, mostly seen in children. This syndrome causes swelling and inflammation in the brain and the liver.

The chronic condition of hepatic encephalopathy can be recurrent or permanent. People with recurrent cases usually will have many episodes related to hepatic encephalopathy in their entire life and may have cirrhosis. Ongoing treatment is required to prevent these symptoms.

Permanent cases are found in people unresponsive to treatments and possibly have some other permanent neurological condition. It is a more rare case of hepatic encephalopathy.

Causes

The exact reason for causing hepatic encephalopathy is still not medically known. But generally, it is caused by the increase of toxins in the bloodstreams that ultimately reach the brain, causing damage to its functioning abilities.  Hepakast Sachet is one medicine that is useful in treating this disease.

Some causes are:

• Kidney problems
• Low oxygen level
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Any current trauma or surgery
• Dehydration
• Viral infection or pneumonia
• Medication may reduce the functioning of the immune system or the central nervous system 

Symptoms

The underlying symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy depend on the cause of liver disease. The symptoms differ as the cause of the liver damage differs. Symptoms of acute hepatic encephalopathy: confusion, poor concentration, personality changes, difficulty in thinking, loss of hand movements, sweet or musty breath odor. Symptoms of chronic hepatic encephalopathy: seizures, confused speech, anxiety, drowsiness or fatigue, slow movements, severe personality alteration, confusion, shaky hands.

It is important to keep in mind that if someone develops any chronic hepatic encephalopathy symptoms, make sure to get medical assistance quickly. Left untreated, even after developing symptoms can lead to a coma.