Top Liver Supplement

Liver Active

Liver Topics

What Are The Treatment Options For Reye’s Syndrome?

Reye’s syndrome is a disease the affects the organs and can be fatal. The main treatment for Reye’s syndrome includes immediate hospitalization and testing for a diagnosis.

Reye’s syndrome is a disease that affects the organs. It can be dangerous and should be treated immediately. With early intervention and treatment, the chance of recovery is great.

Reye's syndrome is usually treated in the hospital.

When you check into the hospital, the severe cases may be treated in the intensive care unit. The hospital staff will closely monitor your blood pressure and other vital signs.

The type of treatment depends on the condition of the patient and may include efforts to reduce swelling of the brain, balance the patient’s nutrient and fluid levels, and aid breathing in cases of respiratory difficulty. Each patient’s level of recovery depends on the severity of the symptoms.

There are specific treatments that may be involved. These can include:

1.    Intravenous fluids: You may be given glucose or electrolytes with sodium, potassium and chloride.

2.    Insulin: may be used to increase sugar metabolism.

3.    Corticosteroids: can be used to reduce swelling in the brain.

4.    Diuretics: may be used to increase fluid loss through urination.

When you are in the intensive care unit, the medical team will be monitoring you, maintaining proper fluid and electrolyte balance, nutritional, cardio status and respiratory status.

As the organs are suffering in this syndrome, you may need ventilation, a breathing machine or respirator, may be necessary if breathing becomes too sluggish. Additionally, the pressure of the fluid within the brain and blood pressure may be monitored.

The overall recovery in this syndrome is related to the severity of the brain swelling. A complete recovery is possible. Those who progress rapidly through the stages and lapse into a coma have a poorer prognosis than those with a less severe disease. They may also suffer from slight to severe brain dysfunction.

The prognosis for children with Reye syndrome has improved. The earlier the syndrome is detected, the better the chances for survival. Children who progress to the late stages of the syndrome may suffer brain damage and disability.

So you know the treatments, but when do you seek these treatments? If your child has vomiting, behavioral changes, or extreme sleepiness, especially after a viral illness such as the flu or a cold, contact your doctor immediately. Although the starting of a second illness while recovering from a viral illness is the key symptom, you will not necessarily be diagnosed with Reye’s syndrome. It is simply important to keep track of symptoms and keep your physician apprised of these changes.