Can liver failure be cured?

My father is 52 years old and has chronic liver failure. Currently, my father and his family are very worried. I wonder if liver failure can be cured?

What is the treatment method? (Minh Tuan, Trang Bom district, Dong Nai province)

Reply:

Liver failure is a condition of impaired liver function, which occurs when liver tissue is damaged and is unable to perform normal functions. This is the final stage of many liver diseases, when most of the organ is damaged and difficult to recover. Chronic liver failure is often the result of many long-term chronic liver diseases, caused by causes such as hepatitis B, C; alcohol; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; autoimmune hepatitis and many other chronic liver diseases...

Liver disease typically progresses through four stages:

The first stage is hepatitis, at this time the liver function is weakened, but there are no obvious symptoms and the patient does not feel discomfort or pain.

Stage 2 is the fibrosis stage, which if left untreated will result in scarring. Scar tissue builds up in the liver and blocks blood flow to other organs. At this stage, the liver can still heal if it receives timely care and treatment.

Stage 3 is the stage of cirrhosis, scar tissue is formed and developed more, gradually replacing healthy tissue. Liver function is seriously affected, the patient feels the symptoms more clearly.

Stage 4 is liver failure. At this point, liver function is at its highest level, and the patient faces dangerous problems such as bleeding, ascites, acute kidney injury, coma, and sometimes death.

Liver failure is the final stage of many liver diseases. Photo: Freepik — Liver failure is the final stage of many liver diseases. Photo: *Freepik*

Your father's case of chronic liver failure can still be treated if the appropriate method is used. Depending on the stage of liver failure as well as the cause of the disease, the treatment method will vary for each patient, and can be treated medically (using drugs) or surgically (liver transplant surgery).

Regarding internal medicine: Internal medicine treatment usually only helps prolong life, limit serious complications, wait for liver transplantation but cannot completely cure. The methods that can be used are to treat and eliminate the causes of liver failure such as: hepatitis B, C, drugs, toxins... Patients should change their diet and lifestyle, avoid alcohol, tobacco; limit red meat, eggs, cheese...; lose weight; control blood pressure, diabetes; reduce daily salt intake... Patients can use drugs to support liver function.

Regarding surgery: Liver transplantation is the last option for people with chronic liver failure. At this stage, the liver is severely damaged and no longer able to function. The surgical method is to remove the damaged liver and replace it with a healthy liver from a donor. After surgery, the patient can return to normal activities within 6 months. However, the patient must apply lifelong medical care methods to ensure that the transplanted liver always functions effectively.

Liver failure is a dangerous disease, especially when detected at a late stage. Therefore, it is necessary to take early preventive measures such as building a healthy lifestyle, having a proper diet, physical exercise and rest, and limiting alcohol. Patients need to monitor and treat hepatitis B and C, and should use medication as prescribed by a doctor.

Everyone should have regular health check-ups to help screen and detect diseases (if any) at an early stage for simple and effective treatment. In addition, people can proactively supplement with scientifically proven natural liver-protecting essences such as S. Marianum and Wasabia to help detoxify the liver and limit inflammatory factors, supporting liver function protection.

If you have any questions, please submit them here.

Doctor Vo Dang Toan
Endoscopy and Digestive Endoscopic Surgery Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

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