Is your liver at risk from common medications? Health alert for Etowah County: Doctor explains | Health

In this article, The Health Standard’s medical experts share their expert insights on the findings and provide Alabama residents with evidence-based recommendations to protect their health.

Why this is important for you

A new study has found that some commonly prescribed medications carry a higher risk of serious liver damage than previously thought.

This finding is especially important for Etowah County residents, as many of them take medications such as stavudine, chlorpromazine, or even commonly used antibiotics such as moxifloxacin and azathioprine.

What this means for your health

The study suggests:

Some drugs that were previously considered relatively safe for the liver may actually pose a higher risk to the liver and overall health. Conversely, certain drugs that were considered more harmful may be safer for liver health than previously thought. Current methods for monitoring drug-induced liver damage are inconsistent and patchy.

For Etowah County residents: This could lead to changes in the monitoring of patients taking certain medications, which in turn could improve early detection of liver damage and overall patient safety.

Your liver acts as your body’s “filter,” processing medications and removing toxins. When medications damage the liver, it can lead to a condition called acute liver failure (ALI). ALI can range from mild to severe — and it can potentially lead to long-term health problems or even liver failure. (CDC resource)

Expert knowledge from doctors and practical steps to protect your liver health

The medical experts on our panel have shifted their focus to providing practical guidance to Etowah County residents.

Monitor liver function: “Let’s talk about monitoring liver function,” began Puja Uppal, MD, DO. “If you are already prescribed a medication that is known to carry a high risk of potential liver damage – such as certain antibiotics – your doctors are already recommending more frequent liver function tests, so please do not skip these important tests during your treatment.”

Know the warning signs: Dr. Adriana Davis, family physician, warns: “Watch for symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, or unexplained fatigue. If you notice these symptoms while taking your medication, you should contact your doctor immediately. And don’t hesitate to go to the emergency room.”

Check your medications: The discussion then shifted to the importance of medication review. “I can’t stress this enough,” one of the panelists interjected. “Make an appointment with your GP or your local pharmacist to review all of your medications. They can help you identify any potential risks based on this new information.”

Lifestyle changes: Dr Shelandra Bell, another expert at The Health Standard, advises: “Keep your liver healthy by limiting your alcohol consumption! Simple things like fiber, a balanced diet and regular exercise – all of these things improve your body and liver function.

You should know that drug-induced liver damage (both prescription and illegal drugs) is a leading cause of liver failure, which leads to serious health complications.

Knowing which drugs carry the highest risk can help doctors monitor their patients better. The results suggest that relying solely on published case reports may underestimate the true risk of certain drugs.

Keep in mind, Further research is being conducted. The results of this study are not entirely conclusive. In the meantime, a healthy lifestyle with some caution will produce the best results.

For a comprehensive list of the drugs the researchers studied, see the study source.

Use your local health resources: You should know that as part of its public health protocol, Etowah County recommends that people also get tested for hepatitis C. A proactive approach can help you manage your liver health.

The good news for Alabama residents is that adopting these proactive habits can benefit your liver health. By following these recommendations, you can help your liver process medications more effectively and potentially reduce your risk of drug-related liver injury.

Key findings

1. Practical data reveal different risks: The study used health data from nearly 8 million people to determine the true incidence of severe acute liver injury (ALI) after starting medication, providing a more accurate picture than traditional case report methods.
2. Antimicrobials are at the top of the list: 64% of the drugs with the highest rate of severe liver damage were antimicrobialsincluding some commonly prescribed antibiotics.
3. Case reports do not tell the whole story: The study found that categorizing the liver toxic potential of a drug based on the number of published case reports “did not accurately reflect the observed rates of severe ALI.”
4. 64% of the drugs with the highest observed rates were not considered severely hepatotoxic in previous case reports.

The conclusion

These new findings underscore the need to review current practices in identifying liver-harming drugs to significantly improve patient safety throughout Etowah County and across America.

Remarkable, While these findings are significant, it is important to remember that correctly prescribed medication usually have more benefits than risks. Always talk to your doctor before making any sudden changes to your medication.

For more information about liver health or to access local resources, visit the Etowah County Public Health website.

Remember: The health of your liver is crucial to your overall well-being. With this new knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to protect it.

Read study at JAMA Network. (Touch/Click here)

Read more: Fast food can lead to liver disease. Doctor explains

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Health Standard News Agency: Junk food can contribute to liver damage.

Important health and medical statistics of Etowah County, Alabama

Did you know There was 1043 deaths out of chronic liver disease/cirrhosis in Alabama in 2021?

32.3% of you were in Etowah County tested for cholesterol in the last 5 years.

20.6% of you in Etowah County are smokers.

41.1% of you in Etowah County are obese.

39.8% from you in Etowah County sleep less than 7 hours per night.

Important health facts: The above health data directly impacts your physical well-being and plays a crucial role in determining your overall health status.

The Health Standard Newswire.