The Mayo Clinic defines the liver as "an organ about the size of a football that sits just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen." The liver is like a filter: it helps digest food by filtering out bad chemicals and substance from the food we eat. It is a vital part of our digestive system, and one of the most important organs in our body. However, the liver is also prone to damage. There are many causes of damage to liver, from chemical to disease.
Alcoholism
The Mayo Clinic defines alcoholism as "a chronic disease that makes your body dependent on alcohol." Alcohol is a very damaging chemical, and because it is a drink, all the damage will attack the liver. Alcoholism is one of the leading causes of liver damage in the world. Cirrhosis is the end result of liver damage. The Mayo Clinic defines cirrhosis as "...scarring of the liver...occurs in response to chronic damage to your liver. With mild cirrhosis, your liver can make repairs and continue its role in the body. But with more advanced cirrhosis, more and more scar tissue forms in the liver, making it impossible to function."
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is the most common cause of liver damage. There are six types of identified hepatitis: A, B, C, D, E and G. These are all highly infectious and all cause major damage to the liver. These diseases cause inflammation of the liver. When tissue is inflamed, it will swell up and become highly sensitive. This makes it more difficult for the liver to filter food successfully due to changes in the size and shape of the liver. Hepatitis C is perhaps the most serious because of its highly infectious nature and the fact that it usually shows no symptoms until late in its infectious cycle. Hepatitis C is most commonly transmitted through blood contact, although it can be transmitted sexually.
Tylenol
According to Medical News Today, "If you take Tylenol for four days as directed you may be at risk of liver damage." They continue, saying "...researchers found out about Tylenol's effect on liver enzyme levels while they were carrying out a trial on a therapy which included a narcotic drug, hydrocodone, in combination with acetaminophen..." Tylenol contains the chemical cetaminophen. Minor amounts of this chemical are not harmful but an overdose of this chemical commonly leads to liver transplants. Drinking two to three alcoholic drinks as well as taking too much Tylenol works in tandem to seriously damage the liver.
Rezulin and Lipitor
RxList reports the results of a study on Rezulin as "... a total of 48 of 2,510 (1.9 percent) Rezulin-treated patients and three of 475 (0.6 percent) placebo-treated patients had ALT levels greater than three times the upper limit of normal." ALT is an enzyme released into the blood when there is liver damage. The study adds that "Two of the 20 Rezulin-treated patients developed reversible jaundice; one of these patients had a liver biopsy... An additional Rezulin-treated patient had a liver biospy..." Rezulin was a common diabetes drug that has since been removed from the market. Douglas R. LaBrecque, MD, professor of internal medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, has stated that "Lipitor can produce liver enzyme abnormalities in a small number of patients" and that a doctor should be seen if ALT levels are up, especially "... if the enzymes were previously normal."
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the intestines. This makes it difficult for food to pass through the digestive system and leads to cramps, stomach aches, constipation, joint bleeding and weight loss. Liver inflammation is another symptom of Crohn's disease. There is no cure for Crohn's disease, so the damage caused by the inflammation of the liver can be severe. Your doctor can prescribe medicine to help lessen the severe symptoms of Crohn's disease, including inflammation of the liver. If you suffer from Crohn's disease and fear liver damage, talk to your doctor about what medicines are right for you.
Tags: liver damage, Crohn disease, Clinic defines, damage liver, inflammation liver, Mayo Clinic