Symptoms of Liver Ailments and Precautions Post Surgery

The liver is considered as one of the most vital organs in the human body. Liver disorders could either be mild or severe. Liver transplant surgery is generally the last option that is considered for a patient when all other medications and treatment processes have been exhausted. A liver transplant is a surgical method for removing a liver that fails to functions properly (liver failure) and replacing it with a healthy liver from a living or deceased donor. One needs to be aware of the symptoms of ailments that may affect the liver, so they can get their condition treated in time and avoid a serious step like liver transplant surgery.

The liver happens to be the largest internal organ in a human body. It has several critical functions that assist the normal functioning of the body, such as:

● Getting rid of bacteria and toxins from the blood

● Preventing infection and controlling  immune responses

● Processing nutrients, medications, and hormones

● Creating bile, which helps the body absorb fats, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins

● Making proteins that help the blood clot

Viral attack: Hepatitis viruses, such as A, B, C, etc., can adversely affect the liver and if not treated promptly will cause the liver to fail.

The early symptoms of liver failure are symptoms that may have numerous causes. As a result, liver failure is quite tough to diagnose in the initial phases. These early symptoms include:

● Nausea

● Loss of appetite

● Fatigue

● Diarrhea

But, as the condition worsens, the symptoms also get more severe. Later symptoms of liver failure include:

● Jaundice

● Profuse bleeding

● Swollen abdomen

● Mental disorientation or confusion (known as hepatic encephalopathy)

● Sleepiness

● Coma

If you are unable to get your condition treated in time and end up opting for liver surgery, there are a lot of precautions that you need to take.

A strict dietary code has to be followed after the surgery. After the transplantation procedure, the patient is bound to have an intensive hunger, which is really a positive sign. The patient’s food should be rich in protein. He or she should drink clean water and tap water should not be taken directly to quench the thirst. Raw food, like salads, should be kept at bay. Also, sweets and fruits having the potential to increase blood sugar must be avoided. After the transplant, medicines can raise the blood sugar; your doctor may prescribe insulin to control this. Abstain from cigarettes and other tobacco products. Alcohol should also be given a skip.

Care after a liver transplant surgery is very significant for a patient’s good health in the long run. Hence, it is critical that the recipient goes for medical check-ups regularly. Post-surgery, a patient stands exposed to coronary artery disease due to weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure. In case a patient notices any worrying symptoms or discomfort, they should schedule a follow up with their doctor immediately to rule out any complications. Even without any worrying symptoms, follow care and appointments with your consulting doctor are very important to keep track of your recovery.

Medications are very vital for the recovery process, and the medicines prescribed by the doctors should be taken in the prescribed dosage at the scheduled times. Here, it is advisable that the families also familiarize themselves with the medicines prescribed and ensure that the patient is having them on time.

Patients are also advised to exercise regularly after the surgery. But, exercises involving heavyweights should be avoided and one should also keep away from abdominal exercises such as weight training and swimming for 3 months post-surgery. Deep breathing is also useful in expanding lungs and coughing out sputum.

Report this Page