A General Outlook to Liver Transplantation

The liver, also known as hepatic in medical terms, is a powerhouse of the human body. When the liver stops performing its functions, it causes life-threatening issues to the human body. Therefore, many people look for liver treatment in Delhi, given its relatively low costs and the high quality of treatment in the private sector.

What happens when the liver stops functioning?

It causes liver failure, and there could be many reasons why your liver isn’t working as it should. In many cases, a patient goes for liver transplantation if they reach end-stage liver disease.  Consequently, there are facilities available for liver treatment in Delhi that specializes in this field.

What is liver transplantation?      

 It is a process when a defunct liver is replaced with a healthy one. The donated liver can be procured from a deceased person or a living person. This process is specifically operated by liver specialists, also known as hepatologists. Qualified liver specialists in Delhi can be consulted easily.

Who needs liver transplantation?

Acute liver failure is also called fulminant hepatic failure, while cirrhosis is also known as chronic liver failure. Acute liver failure is an outcome of overdosing on medicine or poison, causing your liver to stop functioning suddenly. Cirrhosis results mostly from alcohol abuse and is a long-term disease. However, liver transplantation is needed in both cases as these can be life-threatening.

Symptoms (when to consult a liver specialist in Delhi)

Who can donate the liver?

Highly skilled and experienced specialists evaluate the donor through various tests. The donor’s health and safety are considered the priority of the specialist in liver treatment in Delhi. The age eligibility lies between 18-60 years. Other factors are also considered, such as body mass index (BMI), blood type, and the recipient’s mental health.

The risk involved in liver transplantation.

A liver transplant has numerous risks and significant complications. These include risks during, soon after, or even years after the transplant. 

Drugs used to prevent the rejection of the donor’s liver after the transplant also possess some degree of risk.

The risk involved in the procedure include

1. Clotting of the blood vessel that brings oxygenated blood (The hepatic artery) from the heart to the liver. It occurs in 2-5% of cases, including clotting in large veins, which bring blood from the abdominal organs, i.e., intestine, pancreas, and spleen.
2. Biliary complications: These include two major leaks and strictures. It affects approximately 15% of deceased donor transplants and 40% of living donor transplants.
3. Any surgical procedure involves the risk of excessive bleeding because of the extensive nature of the surgery. Approximately 10% of transplant recipients need a second operation for bleeding.
4. During the healing of surgical wounds, organs are prone to infections. Liver transplant recipients are also prone to infections inside the abdomen, particularly if there is a collection of blood or bile (from a bile leak).
5. Rejection- Organ dysfunction by recipient immune system, which acts as a defense mechanism against the new transplanted organization.

Precautions 

It’s always better to take precautions and maintain a healthy life.

• Maintain a healthy diet and nutrition. 
• Do exercise and yoga to improve respiration, energy, and vitality. Maintain a balanced metabolism and maintain your weight as obesity is a well-known cause of chronic fatty liver disease.
• Limit yourself from drinking excessive alcohol. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
• Never take multiple medications or illicit drugs.
• Do not consume alcohol while you are on medications. 
• Consult your physician about your medications, keep your liver enzymes in check, and ensure your liver is performing optimally.  
• Avoid sharing personal care products with anyone, even with your family members.
• Avoid high-risk behavior by ensuring that you are not having intravenous drugs or sharing needles or syringes. 
• Do not have sex without a condom with a stranger and avoid multiple sex partners.

Conclusion

The above article will help you get a brief understanding of liver transplantation and key factors related to that. If you are sensing any of the above symptoms or feeling unusually sick, immediately consult a doctor. It is better to be aware of what is happening in your body. There are sources available for liver treatment in Delhi or any other state. Just reach out to the specialist doctor and clear your suspicion or doubts.