What are the late-stage symptoms of liver failure?

In the late stages of liver failure, common symptoms include gastrointestinal discomfort, coagulation abnormalities, fever, and loss of consciousness.

1. Gastrointestinal discomfort

Patients with advanced liver failure often experience significant gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, abdominal bloating, and abdominal pain. These symptoms lead to poor appetite and reduced food intake, resulting in severe systemic fatigue.

2. Coagulation abnormalities

In the late stages of liver failure, liver function is typically mostly or completely lost, leading to a significant deficiency in clotting factors. This can cause bleeding from the skin and mucous membranes, making patients prone to nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and even gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

3. Fever

Due to impaired liver function in advanced liver failure, toxins and metabolic waste tend to accumulate in the body, which may trigger inflammatory infections and result in fever. The fever is usually low-grade but tends to persist for a long duration.

4. Loss of consciousness

Patients with end-stage liver failure have a high risk of mortality. Prior to death, they may experience loss of consciousness, leading to symptoms such as coma and shock.