The liver is an important organ responsible for breaking down glucose for energy, making proteins and breaking down toxic substances such as alcohol. Sometimes, taking excessive amounts of certain medications, eating contaminated foods or drinking too much alcohol can lead to liver damage. Fortunately, the causes of liver damage can be treated if caught early enough.
Acetaminophen Overdose
Acetaminophen, commonly sold under the name Tylenol, is the most common medication that can lead to poisoning, says MedlinePlus. People should not take more than 4,000mg of acetaminophen daily.
Unfortunately, taking excess amounts of acetaminophen can lead to liver damage. Signs of liver damage include yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), stomach pain and nausea. Acetaminophen overdose can also lead to vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, irritability and a coma. Go to the hospital immediately when these side effects develop. It is also important to note that symptoms may not develop until after 12 hours of taking acetaminophen.
Treatment for acetaminophen overdose involves taking a medication called N-acetylcysteine to reverse the effects of this condition. Other treatments involve taking laxatives and activated charcoal to rid the body of acetaminophen.
Alcoholism
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can also lead to liver damage over time. MedlinePlus says that 15 percent of people in the United States have a drinking problem.
Some of the specific symptoms of alcoholism include stomach pain, drinking alone, nausea, vomiting, making excuses to drink, confusion and forgetting to eat.
Low self-esteem, depression, peer pressure and stress are just some of the reasons why people become alcoholics.
MedlinePlus says that treatment involves three steps: intervention, detoxification and rehabilitation. Intervention involves having a family member compassionately confront the alcohol. Detoxification involves completely eliminating alcohol. Rehabilitation involves seeking support groups and counseling sessions. Medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfiram can be used to manage alcoholism.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver that can eventually lead to liver damage. The Mayo Clinic says that symptoms of hepatitis C include fever, fatigue, joint or muscle pain, liver tenderness, a poor appetite and fatigue.
Sharing contaminated needles, contaminated blood transfusions and organ transplants before 1992, sexual intercourse with an infected person and childbirth when the mother is infected are all causes of hepatitis C.
Sometimes, hepatitis C doesn't require treatment. In some cases, antiviral medications may be taken to help eliminate the hepatitis C virus. In severe instances, a liver transplant may be necessary to replace the damaged liver.
