Medium urgency
-Moderately severe
It is an alteration in the functioning of the brain due to a failure of the liver's ability to clear neurotoxins from the blood.
It is caused by diseases that directly affect the liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.) or by diseases that cause an alteration in the blood circulation through the liver.
It manifests with rancid (or sweet) breath, sleep disturbances, frequent forgetfulness, personality changes, disturbances in concentration, clumsiness of fine movements, tremors and a tendency to agitation. Subsequently, mental confusion, stupor and coma appear.
The diagnosis is reached by clinical history, physical examination and blood tests.
If the cause is known, it should be treated, e.g. digestive bleeding, infection, etc.
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Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
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