Liver diseases progress through several stages before the liver burns out and reach a stage of end stage liver disease commonly known as cirrhosis. This may take several years. Prior to cirrhosis, the liver disease goes through increasing stages of fibrosis and regeneration which are partially reversible if the inciting factor can be controlled. Once the stage of cirrhosis is reached, it is irreversible and as the cirrhosis advances one reaches the stage where liver transplant becomes imperative.
It is very important to identify the cause of the liver disease which may be viral illnesses, fatty infiltration, metabolic causes, genetic causes, birth defects or malignancies. Sometimes however, the liver may be effected acutely by some viral illness like hepatitis A or E, idiosyncratic drug reactions etc to come to a stage of acute liver failure which may develop within days to weeks of getting the illness. Acute liver failure is a medical emergency in which transplant may be required in about 50 percent of the patients.
There is no time limit on how long your liver can last. Transplanted livers have been known to last for more than 30 years, and surgical techniques and anti-rejection medication are constantly being developed and improved.
You must avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as this affects the levels of your anti-rejection medication. Some patients need a low-sugar diet or a low-potassium diet due to side effects of their medication.
