The liver has important functions for the well-being of the organism. Some of them are related to the digestion of food, proper processing and distribution of nutrients.
Liver damage can be the result of different factors. “There are many types of liver diseases. Some, like hepatitis, are caused by viruses. Others may be the result of excessive alcohol or drug use. A long-term injury or scar tissue (a scar) can cause cirrhosis. A possible sign of the disease is when the skin turns yellow, which is known as jaundice”, details the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the United States.
liver damage
toxic hepatitis
Toxic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver from exposure to some substances such as alcohol, chemicals, or medications. “The liver helps the body break down some of them,” he details. Medline Plus and in turn, mention some that can cause liver damage:
- Amiodarone.
- Anabolic steroids.
- Contraceptive pills.
- Chlorpromazine.
- Erythromycin.
- Halothane (a type of anesthesia).
- Methyldopa.
- Isoniazid.
- Methotrexate.
- Statins.
- Sulfamidas
- Tetracyclines.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate.
- Some antiepileptic drugs.
According to Mayo Clinic, non-profit entity dedicated to clinical practice, education and research in some cases toxic hepatitis occurs hours or days after exposure to the toxic substance. Therefore, its symptoms may develop later.
When toxic hepatitis is mild, there may be no symptoms and it may only be identified through a blood test. However, here are some of the signs that may indicate that you have this condition:
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
- Itch.
- Abdominal pain in the upper right part of the abdomen.
- Tiredness.
- loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Acne.
- Fever.
- Weightloss.
- Dark or tea-colored urine.
Fatty liver
Fatty liver disease consists of the accumulation of fat in this organ. There are two kinds:
- Non-fatty liver disease alcoholic.
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease, also called alcoholic hepatic steatosis.
As explained by the National Institutes of Health of the United States (NIH, for its acronym in English), experts still do not know the exact causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Some research mentions that some health conditions, genes, diet and/or the digestive system could be the factors that could make a person more likely to suffer from this disease.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a type of fatty liver that is not associated with alcohol consumption. Of this, there are two types:
simple fatty liver: There is fat in the liver but little or no inflammation or damage to the liver cells. This type of condition does not cause serious damage to this organ.
Non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis: Unlike simple fatty liver, in this case there is inflammation, fat and damage to the liver cells. May cause liver cancer or cirrhosis.
Treatment
In case of presenting symptoms of any of these liver damages, it is advisable to consult a doctor or go immediately to a medical center to receive the appropriate professional attention and start a timely treatment that avoid health complications.