Discussion: Liver cirrhosis patients often have high ammonia levels in the urine and blood. It is a potent toxin with many sid e effects.

Ammonia (NH3) is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. Ammonia is the product of the breakdown of proteins in the body. When the liver is weak, it does not neutralize the ammonia to non-toxic products, such as uric acid and urea. The ammonia in the urine looks like soap bubbles; the sensation is severe burning. High ammonia levels in the blood can cause hepatic encephalopathy, a condition in which ammonia penetrates the brain barrier and causes blurring and confusion.