hepatic encephalopathy…

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digestive system organs, hepatic coma, encephalopathy, hepatic, hepatic encephalopathy is brain, nervous system damage that occurs, a complication of liver disorders, characterized by various neurologic symptoms, changes in reflexes, changes in consciousness, behavior changes, range from mild to severe, hepatic encephalopathy, disorders affecting the liver, disorders that reduce liver function, cirrhosis, hepatitis, conditions where blood circulation bypasses the liver, exact cause, the disorder, liver cannot properly metabolize, detoxify substances, toxic substances build up, in the bloodstream, one substance believed to be particularly toxic, central nervous system is ammonia, is produced by the body, proteins, digested, detoxified by the liver, many other substances, accumulate, contribute to damage, nervous system, stable liver disorders, hepatic encephalopathy triggered by episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding, excessive intake of dietary protein, electrolyte abnormalities, decrease in potassium, result from vomiting, treatments diuretics, paracentesis, infections, renal disease, procedures that shunt, bypass, blood past the liver, triggered by any condition that results in alkalosis, alkaline blood ph, low oxygen levels, use of medications that suppress the central nervous system, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, surgery, by co-occurring illness, disorders that mimic, mask symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy include alcohol intoxication, sedative overdose, complicated alcohol withdrawal, wernicke-korsakoff syndrome, subdural hematoma, meningitis, metabolic abnormalities low blood glucose, hepatic encephalopathy, an acute, potentially reversible disorder, a chronic, progressive disorder associated, chronic liver disease, changes in mental state, consciousness, behavior, personality, forgetfulness, confusion, disorientation, delirium, acute, severe confusion, fluctuating level of consciousness, dementia, loss of memory, intellect, reasoning, functions, changes in mood, decreased alertness, daytime sleepiness, decreased responsiveness, progressive stupor, coma, decreased self-care ability, deterioration of handwriting, loss of other small hand movements, coarse muscle tremors, muscle stiffness, rigidity, seizures, rare, speech impairment, movement, uncontrollable, movement, dysfunctional, agitation, neurologic symptoms, fluctuate, coarse, "flapping" muscle tremor observed, voluntary movement, the person attempts, hold the arms out in front, exhibited, a positive babinski's reflex, mental status examination, abnormal, particularly cognitive tasks connecting numbers, lines, liver disease known, suspected, signs of liver disease jaundice, yellow skin, eyes, ascites, fluid collection, in the abdomen, noted, characteristic musty odor, breath, urine, blood tests nonspecific, liver failure, blood chemistry, low albumin, high bilirubin, abnormalities, serum ammonia levels, prothrombin time prolonged, not correctable, vitamin k, ct scan, the head normal, general atrophy, loss of tissue, eeg, electroencephalogram, a reading of electrical activity, in the brain, characteristic abnormalities, hepatic encephalopathy, acute medical condition, become a medical emergency, hospitalization, goals of treatment include life support, elimination, treatment of precipitating factors, removal, neutralization of ammonia, toxins, life support required, support of breathing, circulation, coma develops, brain, develop swelling, life-threatening, precipitating factors must be identified, gastrointestinal bleeding must be stopped, intestines must be emptied of blood, blood breaks down into protein components, converted to ammonia, treatment of infections, renal failure, electrolyte abnormalities, potassium, in patients, severe, repeated cases of encephalopathy, patient advised to reduce protein, in the diet to reduce ammonia production, dietary counseling is important, too little protein, in the diet, contribute to malnutrition, specially formulated intravenous, tube feedings necessary, critically ill patients, lactulose given, prevent intestinal bacteria from creating ammonia, a laxative to evacuate blood, intestines, neomycin, reduce ammonia production by intestinal bacteria, sedatives, tranquilizers, medications, metabolized, excreted by the liver, avoided, medications containing ammonium, certain antacids, should also be avoided, medications, treatments recommended, variable results, acute hepatic encephalopathy reversible, chronic forms, the disorder, progressive, forms, irreversible coma, death, approximately 80% fatality, coma develops, recovery, recurrence, variable, cerebral edema, brain swelling, brain herniation, progressive, irreversible coma, permanent neurologic losses, movement, sensation, mental state, increased risk of, sepsis, respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, kidney failure, side effects of medications, the specific medication, any change in mental state, neurologic problem occurs, suspected liver disorder, hepatic encephalopathy, rapidly progress to, become an emergency condition, treating liver disorders, prevent some cases of hepatic encephalopathy, avoiding heavy drinking, intravenous drug use, prevent many liver disorders, neurologic symptoms, suspected liver disease, immediate medical attention.