Multiple organ failure (MOF) is a trending cause for concern among, patients, medical practitioners and the government. The situation is becoming an epidemic in most hospital intensive care units (ICUs). When MOF is established in a patient, it becomes a high potential source of death in surgical intensive care units despite, new organ transplant methods and improved antibiotics.
An organ is essentially the aggregation of tissues joined in a unique structural loop to serve a common function. Organs are found in most multicellular organisms, including humans, animals and some plants.
When these organs lose part of their capability, a dysfunctional situation takes the stage. Organ failure thus takes place when an essential organ or system in the body fails to perform the expected function to the extent that homeostasis cannot be maintained without external clinical intervention.
Multiple-organ failure (MOF) is when more than one organ such as the cardiovascular and renal systems fails to perform their natural functions. This is often triggered by trauma, burns, sepsis or bacterial infection of the blood and shocks due to low or high blood pressures.
Vital Organs that should not fail
The human body relies majorly on five organs that are considered vital and strategic for survival. Whenever these organs shut down, death will become inevitable except if there is a timely medical intervention. The following are the organs;
- Heart – the heart is located in the center of the chest, and it’s the biological pump that keeps blood flowing through the body. Blood transport substances required by the cell system while also taking away the wastes from cells.
- Brain – the brain is located in the head and functions as a key control center. This is the seat of all thoughts, memories, perceptions, and feelings.
- Kidneys -The two kidneys are located in the back of the abdomen on either side of the body. Their function is to filter blood and form urine, which is excreted from the body.
- Liver- the liver is located on the right side of the abdomen. It functions as the blood filter, bile carrier to aid digestion and produces proteins needed for blood clotting.
- Lungs-the two lungs are located on either side of the upper chest. Their main function is exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with the blood
Most Common Organs that fails
According to a research conducted in a European hospital, the most prevalent organ failure at admission to the ICU were the cardiovascular (24%) and respiratory (22%) systems, whereas respiratory (43%) and renal (36%) organ failures were the most prevalent during the ICU stay (https://ccforum.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/cc11868)Causes of Organs that normally fails
Multiple organ failures are often severe, life-threatening, and fatal and can lead to the sudden death of patients if there is no timely medical intervention. MOF could be triggered by trauma, burns, (sepsis) the presence of bacteria in the blood and shocks due to low or high blood pressures.Whatever may be the cause, once it has been established, MOF has up to 80% chance of claiming the life of the affected patient.
Preventing Organ failure
1) Get a regular check-up
2) Control Blood Pressure
3) Manage blood sugar
4) Eat a healthy diet
5) Exercise
6)Quit smoking
7)Do not overuse pain medicines
It is of utmost importance to keep safe and visit your physician as soon as you notice or experience any form of discomfort.SOURCE: MSBM
IMAGE SOURCE: PIXABAY
