What are some of the symptoms of liver disease?

Typical signs of livers disease are fatigue, excessive tiredness, jaundice, dark urine or light colored stools.  It is important to note that you can have liver disease with no visual symptoms. 

 How much alcohol usage is high risk for liver damage?

Any amount of alcohol can produce liver damage.  Due to body size and fat, men metabolize and are able to clear alcohol more efficiently than women. Men and women should avoid daily and excessive alcohol consumption.

All alcohol types can be injurious to the liver and should be consumed judiciously. 

 Can liver damage be reversed?

The liver is the only organ in the body that is able to repair and regenerate by replacing damaged tissue with new cells. As long there are no other complications, the liver will repair completely if the toxic agent is completely discontinued.

 There are long-term complications of liver disease when regeneration is prevented by progressive development of scar tissue in the liver caused by a virus, drugs or alcohol. 

 What other toxins beside alcohol can damage the liver?

The most common is acetaminophen in Tylenol.  Tylenol is safe in small doses, however large amount can result in liver failure.

 Other toxins that can harm the liver are those that are inhaled such as cleaning products, paints and herbal substances. If unsure of the potential agent causing injury please call one our liver specialists here at FDHS.