LIVER TRANSPLANT

SYMPTOMS

Why Is Liver Transplant Done?

This is a treatment choice for patients with liver problems whose condition cannot be managed with other medications and for others with liver cancer. 

One of the conditions that need a liver transplant is liver failure. Liver failure may occur within a short time or over a long period of time. Furthermore, when this condition occurs rapidly, it is classified as acute liver failure.

Even though this might help cure acute liver failure, it’s usually used for chronic liver failure, a condition that happens gradually over months or years.

Moreover, chronic liver failure might be due to various conditions. The cause of this is cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), which is the most common cause of a liver transplant.

TREATMENT

Risks Of Liver Transplant

A liver transplant procedure holds a risk of serious complications. These are risks related to the operation alone and the medication needed to stop the refusal of the liver donor after the transplant.

Here are the possible risks of the procedure:

• Infection
• Bile duct complications
• Blood clots
• Mental confusion
• Seizures
• Bleeding
• Failure of a donated liver

Moreover, recurring problems in the transplanted liver can also be a long-term liver complication.

Side Effects Of Anti-rejection Medication

After you’ve undergone a liver transplant, you may need to take medication forever to prevent your body from refusing the donated liver. These medications could cause several side effects, like:

• Diarrhea
• Bone thinning
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Headaches
• High blood pressure

Since anti-rejection drugs function by defeating the immune system, they also raise your chances of getting an infection. Hence, your healthcare provider might provide you medication to help combat infections.