In a few rare circumstances, more serious ( but reversible ) conditions have been seen, such as adrenal insufficiency and hepatic encephalopathy.
22.
The first stage of hepatic encephalopathy is characterised by an inverted sleep-wake pattern ( sleeping by day, being awake at night ).
23.
Other waste products implicated in hepatic encephalopathy include mercaptans ( substances containing a thiol group ), short-chain fatty acids, and phenol.
24.
The complications are hepatic encephalopathy and impaired protein synthesis ( as measured by the levels of serum albumin and the prothrombin time in the blood ).
25.
Liver abscesses are often acute conditions, with common causes being In the acute setting, this may be a cause of hepatic encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome.
26.
The treatment of hepatic encephalopathy depends on the suspected underlying cause ( types A, B or C ) and the presence or absence of underlying causes.
27.
Lactulose for hepatic encephalopathy generally requires relatively large oral dosages three or four times a day with episodic diarrhea and constant flatulence almost a certain side effect.
28.
Hyperammonemia contributes to the confusion and coma of hepatic encephalopathy, as well as the neurologic disease common in people with urea cycle defects and organic acidurias.
29.
The diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy is a clinical one, once other causes for confusion or coma have been excluded; no test fully diagnoses or excludes it.
30.
The occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with Wilson's disease ( hereditary copper accumulation ) and mushroom poisoning indicates an urgent need for a liver transplant.
