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Hepatic encephalopathy is a complication of cirrhosis of the liver and its resultant portal hypertension, toxic substances accumulate in the blood and impair the function of brain cells. Signs can include impaired cognition, a flapping tremor (asterixis), and a decreased level of consciousness.

Pathogenesis


Cirrhosis will obstruct the passage of blood through the liver causing portal hypertension. This means it is difficult for blood from the intestines to go through the liver to get back to the heart. Portal-systemic anastamoses ("shunts") develop, and portal blood (from the intestinal veins) will bypass the liver and return to the heart via another route without undergoing first-pass detoxification by the liver. Furthermore, the liver (damaged from the cirrhosis) will not be functioning as well as it should be, so blood that does travel through the liver may not be as detoxified as it otherwise would be.

The toxic substances involved are not well understood, but have been thought to include ammonia (NH3) and mercaptans. Ammonia is normally converted to urea by the liver and, as with mercaptans, is produced by the bacterial breakdown of protein in the intestines.

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Current concepts in the assessment and treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy http://kele.es/pwz
Sciencia (Webmaster Sciencia) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:38:06 -0000
Current concepts in the assessment and treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy http://kele.es/pwz
Neuro: Motor impairment in liver cirrhosis without and with minimal hepatic encephalopathy: Acta Neurologica Scandinavic http://url4.eu/wugv
MDLinx (Sandeep Pulim MD) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:07:26 -0000
Neuro: Motor impairment in liver cirrhosis without and with minimal hepatic encephalopathy: Acta Neurologica Scandinavic http://url4.eu/wugv
ast-120 used 2 treat mild hepatic encephalopathy http://bit.ly/6kyuRA
localtrials (US Clinical Trials ) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:10:43 -0000
ast-120 used 2 treat mild hepatic encephalopathy http://bit.ly/6kyuRA
ast-120 used 2 treat mild hepatic encephalopathy http://bit.ly/6kyuRA
usclinicaltrial (US Clinical Trials) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:34:44 -0000
ast-120 used 2 treat mild hepatic encephalopathy http://bit.ly/6kyuRA
Extrapyramidal signs predict the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis http://kele.es/oQa
Sciencia (Webmaster Sciencia) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:31:03 -0000
Extrapyramidal signs predict the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis http://kele.es/oQa
Extrapyramidal signs predict the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients w.. http://bit.ly/758uoj http://sciencia.org/
Sciencia (Webmaster Sciencia) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:23:18 -0000
Extrapyramidal signs predict the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients w.. http://bit.ly/758uoj http://sciencia.org/

 
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Treatment for Encephalopathy - Explains what it is; evaluation; treatments, including medications and diet changes; and links to additional information.

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Hepatic Encephalopathy - Section of GI textbook, provides definition, causes, and treatments. Tables include grading scale and common causes by type.

MedlinePlus: Hepatic Encephalopathy - Illustrated article that discusses the causes, signs and symptoms, treatment, and complications.

Merck Manual: Liver Encephalopathy - Describes how this condition occurs, common symptoms, methods of diagnosis, and treatments.

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