Difference between revisions of "Heal Liver from Alcoholism"
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| − | Approximately one in three heavy drinkers develop liver damage.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcoholic-hepatitis/basics/symptoms/con-20026160</ref> When the liver breaks down alcohol, the process produces substances that damage the liver. If this continues, eventually scarring develops in the liver, called cirrhosis. If cirrhosis has not yet started, the liver can still heal if you stop drinking alcohol and treat any malnutrition that you might have. Many people make great strides towards healing in just a few months.<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000281.htm</ref><ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcoholic-hepatitis/basics/treatment/con-20026160</ref> | + | Approximately one in three heavy drinkers develop liver damage.<ref name="rf1">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcoholic-hepatitis/basics/symptoms/con-20026160</ref> When the liver breaks down alcohol, the process produces substances that damage the liver. If this continues, eventually scarring develops in the liver, called cirrhosis. If cirrhosis has not yet started, the liver can still heal if you stop drinking alcohol and treat any malnutrition that you might have. Many people make great strides towards healing in just a few months.<ref name="rf2">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000281.htm</ref><ref name="rf3">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcoholic-hepatitis/basics/treatment/con-20026160</ref> |
[[Category:Alcohol Addictions]] | [[Category:Alcohol Addictions]] | ||
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===Recognizing the Symptoms and Getting Help=== | ===Recognizing the Symptoms and Getting Help=== | ||
| − | #Identify common early symptoms. If you are still in the early phases, you might not have symptoms. But as the disease progresses, your symptoms will get worse. Symptoms include:<ref | + | #Identify common early symptoms. If you are still in the early phases, you might not have symptoms. But as the disease progresses, your symptoms will get worse. Symptoms include:<ref name="rf2" /><ref name="rf4">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Liver_disease_%28alcoholic%29/Pages/Symptoms.aspx</ref> |
#* Abdominal discomfort | #* Abdominal discomfort | ||
#* Not being hungry | #* Not being hungry | ||
#*Nausea or diarrhea | #*Nausea or diarrhea | ||
#*Tiredness | #*Tiredness | ||
| − | #Look out for symptoms that suggest that liver damage is becoming more advanced. If you have these symptoms, it is crucial to stop drinking and get medical help to start reversing the damage:<ref | + | #Look out for symptoms that suggest that liver damage is becoming more advanced. If you have these symptoms, it is crucial to stop drinking and get medical help to start reversing the damage:<ref name="rf2" /><ref name="rf4" /> |
#* Jaundice or a yellow color in the skin and eyes | #* Jaundice or a yellow color in the skin and eyes | ||
#* Fluid pooling in your legs and abdomen | #* Fluid pooling in your legs and abdomen | ||
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#*Vomiting blood | #*Vomiting blood | ||
#*Fatigue | #*Fatigue | ||
| − | #Quit drinking. Your liver will not heal unless you stop drinking. Your doctor can help you make a plan that will fit your needs. Options include:<ref | + | #Quit drinking. Your liver will not heal unless you stop drinking. Your doctor can help you make a plan that will fit your needs. Options include:<ref name="rf3" /> |
#* Medications, such as baclofen | #* Medications, such as baclofen | ||
#* Counseling | #* Counseling | ||
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#See a dietician or a nutritionist. A professional can help you come up with a plan that will improve your health and take your medical history and allergies into account. | #See a dietician or a nutritionist. A professional can help you come up with a plan that will improve your health and take your medical history and allergies into account. | ||
#* If the malnutrition is especially severe, you may need to be tube-fed with a special liquid diet. | #* If the malnutrition is especially severe, you may need to be tube-fed with a special liquid diet. | ||
| − | #Eat a high-energy diet. The damage to your liver may mean that it isn’t able to store energy efficiently. If this has happened to your liver, you will need to eat extra to make up for what your body isn’t able to store.<ref>http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Liver_disease_%28alcoholic%29/Pages/Treatmentpg.aspx</ref> | + | #Eat a high-energy diet. The damage to your liver may mean that it isn’t able to store energy efficiently. If this has happened to your liver, you will need to eat extra to make up for what your body isn’t able to store.<ref name="rf5">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Liver_disease_%28alcoholic%29/Pages/Treatmentpg.aspx</ref> |
#* Eating five to six small meals with healthy snacks may be helpful. | #* Eating five to six small meals with healthy snacks may be helpful. | ||
| − | #* Increase your intake of simple carbohydrates by eating fruits and your consumption of complex carbohydrates by eating whole-grain breads, potatoes, corn, peas, parsnips, lentils, beans, and nuts.<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002469.htm</ref> | + | #* Increase your intake of simple carbohydrates by eating fruits and your consumption of complex carbohydrates by eating whole-grain breads, potatoes, corn, peas, parsnips, lentils, beans, and nuts.<ref name="rf6">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002469.htm</ref> |
| − | #* You can also supplement carbohydrates with a moderate amount of fat. This will provide you with extra energy.<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002441.htm</ref> | + | #* You can also supplement carbohydrates with a moderate amount of fat. This will provide you with extra energy.<ref name="rf7">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002441.htm</ref> |
#* If you lost weight while drinking, this may be because your body started breaking down muscle tissue to get the nutrients it needed. | #* If you lost weight while drinking, this may be because your body started breaking down muscle tissue to get the nutrients it needed. | ||
#Consult your doctor or nutritionist to determine how much protein you need. What your doctor recommends may vary based on how severe the liver damage is. | #Consult your doctor or nutritionist to determine how much protein you need. What your doctor recommends may vary based on how severe the liver damage is. | ||
| − | #* Some sources recommend an increased amount of protein to provide energy.<ref | + | #* Some sources recommend an increased amount of protein to provide energy.<ref name="rf5" /> |
| − | #*Other sources say that because a damaged liver may be unable to process the proteins, this could lead to the accumulation of toxins. In this case, it may be necessary for you to reduce the amount of protein you eat.<ref | + | #*Other sources say that because a damaged liver may be unable to process the proteins, this could lead to the accumulation of toxins. In this case, it may be necessary for you to reduce the amount of protein you eat.<ref name="rf7" /> |
| − | #Add vitamin and mineral supplements. B vitamins are particularly important, but make sure you also include vitamin K and phosphate and magnesium.<ref | + | #Add vitamin and mineral supplements. B vitamins are particularly important, but make sure you also include vitamin K and phosphate and magnesium.<ref name="rf7" /> |
#* B vitamins are necessary for your body to break down the food you eat and process it into energy. Thiamine, folate, and pyridoxine are types of B vitamins with which you can supplement. | #* B vitamins are necessary for your body to break down the food you eat and process it into energy. Thiamine, folate, and pyridoxine are types of B vitamins with which you can supplement. | ||
| − | #* Fish, chicken, turkey, meat, eggs, dairy products, beans, peas, and leafy green vegetables have B vitamins.<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bvitamins.html</ref> | + | #* Fish, chicken, turkey, meat, eggs, dairy products, beans, peas, and leafy green vegetables have B vitamins.<ref name="rf8">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bvitamins.html</ref> |
#* If you aren’t getting enough vitamins from your diet, your doctor or nutritionist can recommend supplements. Always consult with a medical professional before adding any supplements, even herbal remedies, to be sure that your liver will be able to process it. | #* If you aren’t getting enough vitamins from your diet, your doctor or nutritionist can recommend supplements. Always consult with a medical professional before adding any supplements, even herbal remedies, to be sure that your liver will be able to process it. | ||
| − | #Reduce your sodium consumption to 1,500 mg per day or less. This will help prevent fluids from building up in your legs, abdomen, and liver.<ref | + | #Reduce your sodium consumption to 1,500 mg per day or less. This will help prevent fluids from building up in your legs, abdomen, and liver.<ref name="rf7" /> |
#* Try not to add salt to your food. | #* Try not to add salt to your food. | ||
#* Avoid highly processed, pre-packaged foods because these often have a lot of sodium added to them. | #* Avoid highly processed, pre-packaged foods because these often have a lot of sodium added to them. | ||
#Help your body flush out toxins by drinking plenty of water. The amount of water that you need will vary with your body size, activity levels, and the climate in which you live. At minimum, drink eight 8-oz glasses each day. | #Help your body flush out toxins by drinking plenty of water. The amount of water that you need will vary with your body size, activity levels, and the climate in which you live. At minimum, drink eight 8-oz glasses each day. | ||
| − | #* If you urinate infrequently or pass cloudy or dark colored urine, then you are probably not drinking enough water.<ref>http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dehydration/Pages/Introduction.aspx</ref> | + | #* If you urinate infrequently or pass cloudy or dark colored urine, then you are probably not drinking enough water.<ref name="rf9">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dehydration/Pages/Introduction.aspx</ref> |
#Increase your appetite with moderate exercise. Exercise will help improve both your physical and mental well-being. | #Increase your appetite with moderate exercise. Exercise will help improve both your physical and mental well-being. | ||
#*Ask your doctor how much exercise is right for you. | #*Ask your doctor how much exercise is right for you. | ||
===Treating Liver Inflammation with Medication=== | ===Treating Liver Inflammation with Medication=== | ||
| − | #Use only medications approved by your doctor. This includes herbal remedies, supplements, and over-the-counter medications. Your doctor will be able to advise you on whether your liver will be able to handle the demands of processing that medication.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/basics/prevention/con-20025300</ref><ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/basics/alternative-medicine/con-20025300</ref><ref>http://livertox.nih.gov/Aspirin.htm</ref> | + | #Use only medications approved by your doctor. This includes herbal remedies, supplements, and over-the-counter medications. Your doctor will be able to advise you on whether your liver will be able to handle the demands of processing that medication.<ref name="rf10">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/basics/prevention/con-20025300</ref><ref name="rf11">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/basics/alternative-medicine/con-20025300</ref><ref name="rf12">http://livertox.nih.gov/Aspirin.htm</ref> |
#* Many medications or herbal remedies can be dangerous for your liver. Some common ones include aspirin, jin bu huan, ma-huang, germander, valerian, mistletoe, and skullcap. | #* Many medications or herbal remedies can be dangerous for your liver. Some common ones include aspirin, jin bu huan, ma-huang, germander, valerian, mistletoe, and skullcap. | ||
#* Do not take street drugs. They may further damage your liver. | #* Do not take street drugs. They may further damage your liver. | ||
#* Avoid toxic chemicals such as fungicides, insecticides, aerosol sprays, and other fumes. If you must be around them, wear a mask. | #* Avoid toxic chemicals such as fungicides, insecticides, aerosol sprays, and other fumes. If you must be around them, wear a mask. | ||
| − | #Ask your doctor about using corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. If your liver is badly damaged, these drugs may be beneficial.<ref | + | #Ask your doctor about using corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. If your liver is badly damaged, these drugs may be beneficial.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#*They are usually not prescribed for patients with kidney failure, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, or an infection. | #*They are usually not prescribed for patients with kidney failure, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, or an infection. | ||
#*Doctors usually prescribe prednisolone for 28 days. While on steroids, your doctor will have to monitor your blood glucose. | #*Doctors usually prescribe prednisolone for 28 days. While on steroids, your doctor will have to monitor your blood glucose. | ||
#* Approximately two out of five people are not helped by corticosteroids. | #* Approximately two out of five people are not helped by corticosteroids. | ||
| − | #Consider pentoxifylline if corticosteroids don’t work for you.Be aware that the evidence in support of this medication is controversial.<ref | + | #Consider pentoxifylline if corticosteroids don’t work for you.Be aware that the evidence in support of this medication is controversial.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#* Your doctor will know what the latest scientific developments are either in support of or against this medication. | #* Your doctor will know what the latest scientific developments are either in support of or against this medication. | ||
#*Pentoxifylline inhibits the cytokines that lead to more liver damage. This drug may be beneficial for those with mild to moderate liver disease. | #*Pentoxifylline inhibits the cytokines that lead to more liver damage. This drug may be beneficial for those with mild to moderate liver disease. | ||
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#* Anabolic steroids are strong steroids. | #* Anabolic steroids are strong steroids. | ||
#* Propylthiouracil was originally created as a thyroid medication. | #* Propylthiouracil was originally created as a thyroid medication. | ||
| − | #Discuss a liver transplant with your doctor. If your liver is failing this may be necessary. In order to receive a liver, you will need to:<ref | + | #Discuss a liver transplant with your doctor. If your liver is failing this may be necessary. In order to receive a liver, you will need to:<ref name="rf5" /><ref name="rf3" /> |
#* Have stopped drinking | #* Have stopped drinking | ||
#* Be in good enough health to survive the operation | #* Be in good enough health to survive the operation | ||
