i was told i had liver damage, and also was not given certain medications while in the hospital to prevent further damage, and to not take certain medication or drink alcohol, was that just a precaution?..and is liver damage the same as liver disease? and are either reversible? Usually, liver problems starts out with
inflammation inside the liver that causes the
liver to enlarge in size. It can be brought
on by a number of different reasons:
alcohol consumption, medications toxification, chemical exposure, biliary
problems, autoimmune disease, fatty liver,
hereditary problems, viral or bacterial
hepatitis and others. In some cases,
what caused the problem, like alcohol
consumption...stopping this and being
treated to relieve the inflammation can
reverse the problem with the liver and
the liver cells can heal. However, if
it is not treated, it can progress to the
death of the liver cells...in which case,
scar tissue forms inside the liver...then
the disease will keep progressing.
All liver patients are told to tell the doctor
about any medications they are taking;
this includes over the counter, herbs,
herbal teas, vitamins, minerals, and prescriptions prescribed by other doctors.
The reason for this is because all medication goes through the liver first,
to be broken down, before going to the
rest of the body. Also, if there is a problem
with the liver...medication has to be
adjusted accordingly to how bad the
patients condition is...since the liver isn't
able to handle the function of breaking
down the drug as easy as it once did.
When the doctor does tests to find out
what is the main cause of your liver
problem...like blood work, having an
ultrasound or Ct scan done, etc....then
he will be able to treat the cause more
efficiently. Until he is able to determine
the cause and how far along you may be
with your liver problem...it is best to
follow any advice the doctor gives you.
What may seem like just a precaution now,
in essence is what is best for anyone with
liver disease. Any more stress placed on
the liver can cause additional harm.
Inflammation can be treated...
cirrhosis of the liver is a progressive
disease that continues on till the whole
liver goes into complete liver failure and
a transplant is needed to live...the doctors
try to slow the death of the cells down but
that is about all they can do....
What the doctor means by liver damage...
you would have to ask him. He should be
able to tell you more as more tests results
come through. You may be referred to
either a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist
depending on the results. The very best
test to see how far along you are in the
disease is a liver biopsy...but they usually
do non invasive tests first and save that
for when the liver functions, that the liver
once did, start to deteriate.
Here is a link to advanced liver disease...
this is just for reference:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cirrhosis...
I hope this information helps to answer
your questions. I also hope that it hasn't
progressed very far and can be reversed
for you. Take care a bit More clarification of your liver condition would be helpful. Liver damage could be scar tissue that is non functional as liver tissue- as cirrhosis from drinking. If you stop drinking the rest of liver will continue to function and gradually the scar tissue will be absorbed and replaced with healthy functional tissue. Liver disease as in the Hepatitis viral infections will need treatment and medication to stop the damage. 'Damage' may be the result of 'disease' or some abuse. Reversal takes time and stopping of the damage causing agent. Hello Tina,
the liver is a fabulous organ which is able t repair alot of the punishment we give it. It grows and gets bigger to improve its function when damaged. My understanding is that liver damage can be caused by a single event such as too much panadol or other liver damaging agent. Liver disease is an ongoing condition that is caused by a diseased state such as hepatitis etc. If you can, go back to the treating physician and ask them to clarify for you whether you have a disease or damaged.
Don't be embarrased about asking because It's important to know what caused the damage so that further damage can be avoided in the future. If it is a disease you are entitled to know what it is and how to treat it.
Good luck Liver or, Renal damage from Hepatitis B, scaring for instance, would be damage. However liver disease, of being a carrier of Hepatitis B would be a liver disease.
The liver damage could also come from a drug or over the counter medication. "Aleve" taken to much, to many times can and will cause liver damage.
Of course you don't want further damage so, you stay away from certain medications and, alcohol. There are other foods and meds that can bring you grief so, I would get a full explanation as to what exactly is wrong and how to cope with it, it can be serious. I don't know why they left you standing there without a full explanation. Liver damage occurs as a result of liver disease.In damage the cells of the liver are destroyed as aresult of drug overdose, alcohol abuse or any liver disease(jaundice 4 eg)! a liver disease need not always end in liver damage. |
