Liver poisoning can be caused by toxins such as acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs, and natural chemicals like mushrooms. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, and severe cases can be lethal. Liver transplantation may be the only chance of survival for those with severe toxicity.
The primary function of the liver is to turn toxins in the body into waste. The organ is not invincible, however, and its frequent toxin handling makes it particularly vulnerable to poisoning. There are many toxins that can cause liver poisoning, including acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs, and some naturally occurring chemicals. Vomiting and nausea are symptomatic of envenomation, and severe cases are lethal.
Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common causes of liver poisoning, also known as hepatotoxicity. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter pain relievers. Most people tolerate this drug well when taken in adequate doses, but some people are so sensitive to acetaminophen that even recommended doses can trigger hepatotoxicity. When the liver is confronted with more of this toxin than it can process, the organ itself is damaged and poisoned by the toxin.
Liver poisoning can be caused by another type of over-the-counter drug called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Common examples are aspirin and phenylbutazone. Some other drugs that contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are ibuprofen, sulindac and prioxicam. Like acetaminophen, poisoning can be caused by an overdose or hypersensitivity to the drug.
Man-made chemicals aren’t the only ones responsible for liver poisoning. Naturally occurring chemicals can also lead to hepatotoxicity. Mushrooms are a major cause of poisoning in nature. People associate mushrooms with the food they buy at the supermarket, perhaps unaware that many wild mushrooms are poisonous to humans. Valarian root, horse chestnut leaf and ackee fruit are also natural herbs that can cause hepatotoxicity.
Symptoms of liver poisoning come in three distinct stages. The former occurs within the first 24 hours of toxin ingestion and mainly involves nausea and vomiting. The next stage is called the latent stage, when no symptoms are present but the toxin is still affecting the body. The latent phase lasts another 24 hours or so and is followed by the third phase, which can take up to 72 hours to present. During the latter stage, liver damage can be evaluated with a liver blood test and prognosis can be determined.
Liver poisoning is not very common in general, but is more common in young adults. Poisoning of any kind is always serious, and hepatotoxicity is often fatal. The only chance of survival for a person with severe liver toxicity is liver transplantation.
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