Can you live without a liver? What are the types of liver donor transplants?
Do you know?
In total, the liver performs over 500 functions. It is the largest internal organ and carries out various functions like:
- Help to filter toxins from the blood
- Help in storing minerals and vitamins
- Produce digestive enzymes which are known as bile
- Helps in clot blood
- Regulate the hormones
- Regular the immune system
If you have problems with your liver, then you should visit the liver hospital in Ludhiana. Consulting the best Liver doctors in Punjab will help you get the best treatment plan for your condition.
Is it possible to live without a liver?
No. The liver is important for you to live, but you can only live with one part of the liver. If both the liver is not working then you cannot live. If the liver is not there then:
- The blood will not clot properly and this will result in bleeding.
- Chemicals and toxins, & digestive byproducts will help the blood to build-up.
- There are fewer defenses against fungal infections and bacteria.
- There will be swelling and there might be deadly swelling in the brain.
If your liver is not functioning like normal, then death will come in a few days. So, it is better that you do not ignore liver health at any cost.
What if the liver fails?
Liver failure can occur due to different reasons which include:
Acute liver failure
In medical terms, acute liver failure is also known as a fulminant hepatic failure. In this condition, the liver’s health starts to deteriorate, whereas earlier it was extremely healthy. Research is rare on this topic. Some of the most common causes are:
- Drug toxicity is triggered due to Tylenol overdose
- Viral infection
Some of the prominent symptoms are:
- Nausea
- Mental disorientation
- Swelling and abdominal pain
- Jaundice (This makes the skin yellow along with the white part of the eyes)
Chronic liver failure
Chronic liver failure is triggered due to scarring and inflammation, which over a time gap. Liver deterioration is caused by several things like:
- Alcohol misuse
- Liver cancer
- Infections, including hepatitis A, B, and C
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Genetic diseases, such as Wilson’s disease
What are the symptoms of chronic liver failure?
- Jaundice
- Swollen abdomen
- Nausea
- Easy bruising
- Muscle loss
- Vomiting blood
Liver failure is not the end – Get timely help
If you or anyone on your own is going through this phase, then it does not mean the end. A liver transplant is one of the best treatment choices. You will be a candidate for this by determining your health and current state of the liver. Liver donor transplant is divided into 2 types:
- Deceased donor transplant
During a deceased donor transplant, the person who has recently passed away will become the donor. In this case, before the death, the person will sign the donor organ card. The family consent will also allow them to use their deceased liver.
- Living donor transplant
Someone who is still alive will donate a healthy liver. Mostly it is from a close friend or family. To be a living donor you need to be of age 18 to 60, blood type needs to be compatible with the recipient, need to get psychological & physical training, healthy weight, and overall well-being in the right state.