hepatic encephalopathy

hepatic encephalopathy
a condition in which brain function is impaired by the presence of toxic substances, absorbed from the colon, which are normally removed or detoxified by the liver. It occurs when the liver is severely damaged (as in cirrhosis) or bypassed. Symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, difficulty in performing tasks (e.g. writing), and coma. Treatment consists of stopping protein intake and administering antibiotics (to prevent bacterial production of toxins) and enemas and cathartics (to remove colonic toxins).

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a condition usually seen secondary to advanced disease of the liver but also seen with other severe diseases and in patients with portacaval shunts. It is marked by disturbances of consciousness that may progress to deep coma (hepatic coma), psychiatric changes of varying degree, flapping tremor, and fetor hepaticus. Called also portal-systemic, portasystemic, or portosystemic e.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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