Toxic liver damage can occur when too much toxic substances, especially alcohol and drugs (e.g. psychotropic, anti-cancer, some antibiotics) enter this organ. What are the symptoms of toxic liver disease? How is hepatic injury treated?

Toxic liver damageoccurs when, under the influence of toxins, changes occur in the cells of the liver parenchyma, which may lead to inflammation, growth of connective tissue, and cirrhosis of the liver. In the worst case, there is liver failure, plasma hemorrhagic diathesis, and hepatic encephalopathy, ending in hepatic coma.Toxic liver diseasecan be acute or chronic. The most common causes of liver toxicity include:

  • alcohol
  • drugs (including antibiotics, NSAIDs, paracetamol, hormonal drugs, steroids)
  • pesticides
  • mushroom poisoning
  • harmful dusts and gases

In case of mushroom poisoning, acute toxic liver damage may occur, symptoms of which are cirrhosis (necrosis), jaundice, hepatic coma.

Symptoms of toxic liver disease

The symptoms of toxic liver disease vary and progress at different rates, depending on the factors involved. The intensity of exposure of the liver to harmful substances, the duration of their action and the possible combination of the effects of several toxins (which often happens), e.g. gases, drugs, pesticides, alcohol are important. An early warning sign may be pain under the right costal arch. Other, non-specific symptoms (not always present) include:

  • weakness
  • headache
  • joint pain
  • nausea
  • slight fever
  • numbness of fingers and toes
  • nipple enlargement (in men)
  • armpit and genital hair loss

Risk Factors For Toxic Liver Disease

Toxic liver disease is fostered by:

  • Gender: Women, especially those who do not shy away from alcohol, are more susceptible than men. And in their case, the disease has a much faster and more severe course
  • genetic predisposition: both prone toAlcohol abuse, as well as toxic liver disease, is passed on in heredity
  • viral hepatitis: hepatitis B and hepatitis C significantly increase the risk of toxic liver disease
  • malnutrition (low-nutrient diet, which is often the case with alcohol abuse, one-sided diets, especially single-ingredient diets) in any case worsens the general condition of the organs, including the liver, making it more susceptible to diseases
  • race: Asians are more susceptible to toxic liver disease

Toxic liver injury: diagnosis

A doctor, suspecting a toxic liver disease, orders the following tests:

Patient information that helps determine the cause of the liver injury is of primary importance in the diagnosis of hepatotoxicity.

  • hepatic enzymes (so-called tests) - visible increase in the activity of aspartic and alanine aminotransferases, increased GGTP (gammaglutamyltransferase)
  • blood count - thrombocytopenia is noticeable
  • clotting disorders include increased INR and prolonged prothrombin time
  • bilirubin is elevated

Additionally, it may be necessary to perform a CT scan of the liver and possibly a liver biopsy.

Treatment of toxic liver disease

Since severe liver damage is a life-threatening condition, hospitalization in an intensive care unit is necessary. The chances of successful treatment are increased when you know what led to the toxic liver disease. In the case of drug-induced liver damage, withdrawal of the harmful factor may not be possible. Then it should be limited as much as possible. The therapy is usually long-term, sometimes the only salvation is liver transplantation.

The basic element of the treatment of toxic liver disease is the interruption or at least maximum limitation of contact with harmful agents.

Helpful in the regeneration of a damaged liver is taking drugs that strengthen the activity of liver cells, for example :

  • preparations with artichoke extract
  • preparations with milk thistle seed extract
  • L-asparagine
  • L-Ornithine
  • vitamin B
  • vitamin E

Patients are advised to follow a hepatic, easily digestible diet, meals should be eaten regularly. you should avoid alcohol, spicy spices and anything that can burden the diseased organ.

Important

Prevention of toxic liver disease

Toavoid toxic liver disease, avoid contact with harmful factors, do not exceed the dosage of drugs, limit the use of over-the-counter drugs, give up alcohol. Also, pay more attention to your diet - it is inadvisable to eat products that contain many preservatives and any artificial additives.

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Research