Aa
Worried Have Ammonia
what are the treatments for getting ammonia out of the system and what are the symptoms
Elevated serum ammonia as a result of HCV can often be managed with the drug Lactulose; more recently, the drug rifaximin is also used as an adjunct as well.
It can precipitate a condition known as ‘hepatic encephalopathy’; confusion, combativeness, forgetfulness, sometimes called ‘brain fog. It can result in coma if not effectively managed.
More importantly, it can be a sign of advanced liver disease; the patient should obviously be evaluated by a knowledgeable physician.
Good luck-
--Bill
It can precipitate a condition known as ‘hepatic encephalopathy’; confusion, combativeness, forgetfulness, sometimes called ‘brain fog. It can result in coma if not effectively managed.
More importantly, it can be a sign of advanced liver disease; the patient should obviously be evaluated by a knowledgeable physician.
Good luck-
--Bill
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
If you are experiencing hepatic encephalopathy then you must have advanced liver disease. You should be under the care of a hepatologist, preferably at at liver transplant center. They will be familiar with treating the symptom of HE (and other complications of decompensated cirrhosis) and in accessing the level of HE.
Treatment:
Lactulose is considered "the first-line therapy" for HE. It is used to produce 2-4 bowel movements per day.
In addition, Rifaximin was approved last year for the treatment of HE (550 mg 2x daily). It is been shown to be affective in preventing the reoccurrence of HE and repeated hospitalizations.
Symptoms:
From Emedicine/WebMD
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/186101-overview
Grading of the symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy is performed according to the so-called West Haven classification system:
* Grade 0 - Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (previously known as subclinical hepatic encephalopathy). Lack of detectable changes in personality or behavior. Minimal changes in memory, concentration, intellectual function, and coordination. Asterixis is absent.
* Grade 1 - Trivial lack of awareness. Shortened attention span. Impaired addition or subtraction. Hypersomnia, insomnia, or inversion of sleep pattern. Euphoria, depression, or irritability. Mild confusion. Slowing of ability to perform mental tasks. Asterixis can be detected.
* Grade 2 - Lethargy or apathy. Disorientation. Inappropriate behavior. Slurred speech. Obvious asterixis. Drowsiness, lethargy, gross deficits in ability to perform mental tasks, obvious personality changes, inappropriate behavior, and intermittent disorientation, usually regarding time.
* Grade 3 - Somnolent but can be aroused, unable to perform mental tasks, disorientation about time and place, marked confusion, amnesia, occasional fits of rage, present but incomprehensible speech
* Grade 4 - Coma with or without response to painful stimuli
Good luck.
Hectorsf