Drug-Induced Liver Disease, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
1:41 Causes of Drug-Induced Liver Disease
2:52 Symptoms of Drug-Induced Liver Disease
3:12 Diagnosis of Drug-Induced Liver Disease
3:48 Treatment of Drug-Induced Liver Disease




Drug-induced liver diseases are diseases of the liver that can develop following the use of certain drugs – physician-prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, and illicit drugs, as well as environmental toxins.
• The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and has many essential body functions including:
• The production of protein important for blood clotting, transporting oxygen, and helping the immune system.
• Helping the body store sugar in the form of glycogen
• Breaking down saturated fat and producing cholesterol
• Getting rid of harmful substance in the bloodstream, including drugs and alcohol
• Storing excess nutrients and returning some to the bloodstream
• When drugs injure the liver and slow down its ability to function properly, symptoms and signs of liver disease may develop.
• Abnormalities of drug-induced liver diseases are similar to those of liver diseases caused by other agents such as immunologic diseases and viruses.
Drugs and chemical can cause a wide range of injury in the liver, such as:
• Cirrhosis
• Blood clots in the vein of the liver
• Necrosis
• Steatosis (fat accumulation in the liver)
• Cholestasis (decreased secretion and/or flow of bile)
• Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
• Mild elevations in blood levels of liver enzymes

CAUSES
Medication (over-the-counter and prescription) that have been associated with drug-induced liver disease includes:
• Acetaminophen
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium when taken excessively or taken with alcohol
• NSAIDs
• Steroids
• Anti-viral drugs for HIV infection
• Steroids
• Arthritis drug like methotrexate
• Antifungal drugs
• Niacin
• Antibiotics such as erythromycin
• Statin
• Vitamins A
• Oral contraceptive pills
Chemotherapy
Herbal supplements that contain Aloe Vera, cascara, comfrey, or kava
Chemical and solvents

Factors that may put you at a higher risk of having the infection include:
• A previous history of liver disease
• Old age
• A gene mutation that affects the way liver works
• Working in a job that uses industrial chemicals which may be toxic
• Taking alcohol alongside some medications or supplements