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Hepatic coma; Encephalopathy - hepatic
Symptoms many begin slowly and gradually worsen, or they may begin suddenly and be severe from the start.
Symptoms may be mild at first. Family members or caregivers may notice that the patient has:
More severe symptoms may include:
Patients with hepatic encephalopathy can become unconscious, unresponsive, and possibly enter a coma.
Patients with hepatic encephalopathy are often not able to care for themselves because of these symptoms.
Nervous system signs may change. Signs include:
Tests may include:
Schuppan D, Afdhal NH. Liver cirrhosis. Lancet. 2008;371:838-851.
Munoz SJ. Hepatic encephalopathy. Med Clin North Am. 2008;795-812.
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