Transplant Remains Only Way to Cure Cirrhosis

Monday, February 17, 2003

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Your liver is part filter, part factory, removing toxins from the bloodstream and helping turn food into fuel and nutrients you can use. It's durable and usually maintenance-free, but not indestructible. It pays to understand how to prevent liver disease because advanced liver disease (cirrhosis) remains incurable without a transplant.

Medical Essay, a supplement to the February issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, offers these tips to reduce the risk of liver disease.

Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. More than one drink a day for women and two for men over many years may be enough to lead to cirrhosis.

Never mix drugs and alcohol. Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) is especially toxic if taken with alcohol.

Use medications and supplements wisely. Take the recommended doses. Talk to your doctor before mixing herbal supplements with prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Avoid certain herbs and vitamins in high doses. Kava, comfrey, chaparral, jin bu huan, kombucha tea, pennyroyal and skullcap all may be toxic to the liver. High doses of vitamins E, K — and especially A and D — also may be harmful.

Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of others. You can contract hepatitis through needle sticks, improper cleanup of blood or sharing intravenous needles. It's possible to contract hepatitis by sharing razor blades or toothbrushes or having unprotected sexual contact.

Vaccinate. If you're at increased risk of contracting hepatitis, talk to your doctor about vaccinations.

Carol Lammers
507-284-5037 (days)
507-284-2511(evenings)
email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and medical news. To subscribe, please call toll-free 800-333-9037, extension 9PR1.

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