Signs and Symptoms of Drug Induced Liver Damage

The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body. It is a detoxifying organ that rids the body of harmful materials. It also produces a variety of proteins that assist in proper circulation. It is well known that excessive alcohol consumption can cause serious damage to the liver. However, some people may not realize that drugs can be harmful to the liver as well. Recreational drugs are only part of the problem: prescription pills, over-the-counter medications and even vitamins can cause drug-induced liver damage.

Jaundice

• One of the liver's many important functions is the removal of bilirubin, a waste product of the bloodstream. When the liver is dysfunctional, bilirubin can begin to build up in the body. Excess bilirubin will cause the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow--a condition known as jaundice.

Easy Bruising/Nosebleeds

• Special proteins needed to clot the blood are produced in the liver. When the liver becomes diseased or damaged, it begins to produce less of these essential agents. As a result, excessive bruising can occur on the body along with frequent nosebleeds.

Itchy Skin

• As one of the body's major detoxifying agents, the liver is responsible for removing a wide variety of irritants from the system, including parasites, fungus and chemicals. When the liver becomes compromised, less of these irritants can be filtered, so they can be felt all over the body in the form of excessively itchy skin.

Fatigue

• Liver damage typically results in a buildup of toxic chemicals in the body. As these materials accumulate, they can cause a person to experience prolonged fatigue as well as an overall sense of malaise.

Edema/Ascites

• The primary protein in the blood is albumin, and it is produced by the liver. When the liver is diseased or damaged, albumin production is decreased. Lack of albumin in the body can result in fluid accumulation in the legs (edema) or abdomen (ascites). This is usually treated with diuretics.