How To Care For Your Senior Loved One With Liver Failure
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What is Liver Failure
The first thing to remember, liver failure is the inability of the liver to perform its normal function. Or when there is damage to the liver. Another key point, there are many causes including alcohol indulgence and viral infections top the list. Complications can occur if it is not diagnosed at the right time and this may happen when your loved one is living alone. And there is no one around to understand their condition. Dealing with this day out and being careful not to irritate the condition any further can cause strain on you, as the caregiver. Here are some great books to help you now.
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Assisting with Prevention
Therefore, to prevent such a situation from taking place. It becomes necessary that children hire professional caregivers for their aging parents. This is even more important when we are unable to find time to assist our loved ones. Our children have moved to another city because of a job. In either of the situation, it is imperative that we do not leave our senior loved ones alone at home. And that we make the necessary arrangements to look after our loved ones properly.
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The job of the Caregiver
The job of caregivers would be primarily to take care of our loved ones. Assisting them with their daily living, taking, and keeping a close watch on their health. Any change in their health status, or a sudden onset of fever or any other new symptoms. Contact the doctor immediately. So, understanding liver failure and learning about its symptoms become important to get the disease diagnosed at the right time.
Unfolding the facts
The liver is a vital organ of our body. It detoxification, synthesizing proteins, breaking down fats, and producing biochemicals that aid digestion. We cannot survive without a liver. Liver disease is not an overnight issue and happens slowly. Catching the progression of the disease on time can prevent liver failure. Having said this, it is also worthwhile to know about the causes of liver failure.
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Causes of Liver Failure
By learning about the causes, caregivers will get to know more about the disease. The following are the various causes of the disease.
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Medicine & Alcohol abuse
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Hepatitis B and C
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Fatty Liver Disease
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Liver cirrhosis
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Malnutrition
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Hemochromatosis
Symptoms of liver failure
A timely diagnosis is not always possible. The fact is that the signs and symptoms of the disease correlate with other conditions. The following is a checklist of the symptoms.
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Fatigue or getting tired easily
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Nausea accompanied by vomiting
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Inability to eat
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Loss of appetite
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The abdomen will get swollen
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Mental confusion
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Cognitive functioning will get affected
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
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Coma
Other more serious symptoms
As liver failure becomes more progressive, symptoms and complications can appear that make it apparent that the liver is not doing well. These could be the symptoms of major liver failure and other complications due to other causes. In addition to major liver failure complications, there are signs of other liver damage.
- Fluid buildup and painful swelling of the legs and abdomen
- Bruising and bleeding easily
- Enlarged veins in the lower esophagus and stomach
- Enlarged spleen
- Stone-like particles in gallbladder and bile duct
- Liver cancer
Treating liver failure
If diagnosed on time, then there are many options for treating failure. However, if the condition is not diagnosed on time. Then the doctor may try and save part of the liver that is still functioning. If this does not work, then liver transplant will be the only option for your loved one. Liver failure can turn fatal. But, if the right kind of treatment initiated. Your loved one can have an excellent prognosis.
Caregiving tips for your loved one with liver disease
Consider palliative care for your senior loved ones affected by liver disease. Palliative care focuses on making your senior loved one comfortable. This works by relieving their symptoms and pain. It is for terminally ill patients. It is for improving the quality of life of both the patient and their family members.
Receiving proper nutrition and adequate rest are the two important aspects for your loved one. Senior parents who have liver failure, need your physical and emotional support. While liver failure takes a toll on their physical health and mental health to a great extent.
Tips that would help the caregivers give good quality care
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Keep yourself organized
Maintain a journal, where you can keep notes about liver disease and its symptoms. This way you can prepare yourselves for emergency situations. You can immediately understand any sudden change in the health of your loved ones.
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Take care of their nutritional needs
Your loved ones with liver failure have special nutritional demands. And as caregivers, you need to take particular note of it. You need to limit their salt and protein intake. Do not give protein from animal foods. In the case of advanced liver disease. Chances of developing encephalopathy increases to a great extent. Restricting sodium intake is also necessary if the body is retaining fluid.
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Make sure to get enough rest
Allow your loved ones with liver failure to rest as much as possible. It is important to get at least 8-9 hours of rest daily.
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Stop all alcohol intake
Alcohol is one of the major culprits of liver failure. Therefore, restrict your loved ones from consuming alcohol of any kind.
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Limit medications only as needed
Medications such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug play a major role. Let the doctor know if your loved one is taking any such type of medications.
Conclusion
Following all these above-mentioned tips can help your loved ones to live a comfortable life. Overseeing this can cause you to stress because you can’t be in 2 places at one time: taking care of your business and taking care of your loved one. Look into hiring some help. This will give you the opportunity to get some rest and also make sure your loved one is properly cared for. Or maybe you want to spend more time with your loved one while taking a break from some of the redundant business tasks like sending out emails, returning calls, or organizing files. Let’s chat about how I can be of service to you so you can take care of your business and your loved one.
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