HEPATIC INSUFFICIENCY Meaning and
Definition
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Hepatic insufficiency, also known as liver insufficiency or liver failure, refers to a medical condition characterized by the inability of the liver to perform its essential functions adequately. The liver is a vital organ responsible for various crucial tasks in the body, including detoxification, metabolism, production of clotting factors, and storage of nutrients. When hepatic insufficiency occurs, the liver's ability to execute these functions becomes compromised, leading to a range of symptoms and potential complications.
Hepatic insufficiency can develop due to various causes, including viral infections such as hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, genetic disorders, autoimmune conditions, or the long-term presence of certain diseases such as liver cirrhosis. The condition can manifest with symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fluid retention.
In severe cases, hepatic insufficiency can progress to acute liver failure, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. If left untreated, it may lead to complications such as hepatic encephalopathy (brain dysfunction due to liver damage), kidney failure, bleeding disorders, and ultimately, death.
The treatment of hepatic insufficiency involves addressing the underlying cause when possible, such as treating underlying infections or abstaining from alcohol. Supportive care may include medications to alleviate symptoms and promote liver regeneration, dietary changes to reduce stress on the liver, and in severe cases, liver transplantation may be necessary.
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Defective functional activity of the liver cells.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEPATIC INSUFFICIENCY
- gepatic insufficiency
- bepatic insufficiency
- nepatic insufficiency
- jepatic insufficiency
- uepatic insufficiency
- yepatic insufficiency
- hwpatic insufficiency
- hspatic insufficiency
- hdpatic insufficiency
- hrpatic insufficiency
- h4patic insufficiency
- h3patic insufficiency
- heoatic insufficiency
- helatic insufficiency
- he-atic insufficiency
- he0atic insufficiency
- hepztic insufficiency
- hepstic insufficiency
- hepwtic insufficiency
- hepqtic insufficiency
Etymology of HEPATIC INSUFFICIENCY
The term "hepatic insufficiency" is derived from two main components: "hepatic" and "insufficiency".
1. Hepatic: The word "hepatic" comes from the Greek word "hēpatikos", which means "of the liver". It is derived from the Greek word "hēpar", meaning "liver". This term has been passed down through Latin and eventually incorporated into English.
2. Insufficiency: The word "insufficiency" comes from the Latin word "insufficientia", which means "inadequacy" or "deficiency". It is derived from the Latin roots "in-" (meaning "not" or "lack of") and "sufficere" (meaning "to suffice" or "to be enough").
