"Is it really worth it to go bankrupt and cure cancer?" is the question on the minds of many families facing cancer treatment. In our day-to-day work, we hear stories from time to time about a family who, because of a member's cancer diagnosis, invested all their savings and even debts just to prolong their lives. However, after the end of the treatment, not only was the family financially struggling, but the patient's health did not improve significantly. Such a situation is heart-wrenching and thought-provoking.
As a doctor, I am often asked the question: In the face of high treatment costs and uncertain treatment results, how should we choose?
"Potential Crisis: The Hidden Effects of Three Classes of Drugs on the Liver"
Before we can explore how to protect the liver from drugs, we need to understand which drugs can be a potential threat. Here, we'll focus on three classes of medications that are ubiquitous in everyday life but can damage your liver without even realizing it.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): common but not harmful
These drugs are widely used to relieve pain, reduce fever, and treat inflammation. However, excessive or long-term use of NSAIDs may lead to increased burden on the liver and even liver damage.
The liver is the main site of drug metabolism, and metabolites of NSAIDs can be toxic to hepatocytes.
Especially in older people, liver function itself may have declined, so caution is needed when using these drugs.
Antibiotics and antifungals: treatment and risks
Antibiotics and antifungals are important weapons in the treatment of infections. However, some types of these drugs have been found to cause liver damage, especially if not followed, abused, or miscooperated.
The metabolism of these drugs in the liver can produce chemicals that are harmful to liver cells, especially when used in incorrect doses or with long-term use.
Proprietary Chinese Medicines and Health Products: Natural is not the same as safe
Many people believe that proprietary Chinese medicines and health products are considered safe by default because of their natural origin. However, this is a common misconception.
Certain ingredients in some proprietary Chinese medicines and health supplements, such as certain herbal extracts, may be taxing on the liver, especially when taken haphazardly and for long periods of time without professional guidance.
There is a potential risk of liver damage due to the varying degree of standardization of ingredients and dosages in these products.
When drugs become the invisible killer of the liver
Drugs, as an important means of treating diseases, their correct use is crucial. However, when abused, they can cause severe liver damage. As the main detoxification organ of the human body, the liver is responsible for metabolizing drugs. However, when the drug is ingested in excess or used inappropriately, the liver's metabolic ability will be severely challenged, leading to liver cell damage and even severe liver damage.
Drug Overdose: A Common Myth Many people often ignore the dosage of their medication when self-medicating, believing that taking more medication will lead to faster recovery. This is a serious misconception. Instead of speeding up the treatment process, an overdose of the drug can lead to an overload of the liver, triggering liver damage. For example, an overdose of paracetamol (a common antipyretic analgesic) is one of the common causes of acute liver failure.
Risks of long-term use of certain medications In addition to a single overdose, long-term use of certain medications may also have negative effects on the liver. For example, long-term use of certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or certain antibiotics may gradually increase the burden on the liver, leading to chronic liver damage.
The Importance of Liver Function Monitoring Therefore, regular monitoring of liver function has become an important part of taking medications. Especially for patients who have been taking drugs for a long time or need high doses, regular liver function tests can detect and prevent the risk of liver damage.
The Three Principles of Safe Medication: The Key Steps to Protect Your Liver Health
1. Consult a medical professional: your health gatekeeper
It is crucial to have a consultation with a medical professional before using any medication. Everyone's physical condition and drug response is different, so blindly following someone else's experience with medication can be risky. Your doctor will provide professional advice and medication guidance based on your health condition, medical history, and other medications you are taking. For example, certain medications may have adverse reactions with other medications you're currently taking, causing increased pressure on your liver. Therefore, timely communication with the doctor can not only ensure the efficacy of the drug, but also minimize the potential risk to the liver.
2. Follow the medication instructions: the first step to proper medication
A medication insert is more than just a piece of paper, it's a guide to keeping your medication safe. It contains key information such as the correct dosage of the drug, how to use it, and possible side effects. Following the instructions on the instructions can effectively prevent the risk of liver damage from drug abuse or overdose. Especially for long-term or recurrent medications, it is especially important to follow medication guidelines correctly. For example, overdose on certain painkillers may inadvertently increase the burden on the liver, leading to impaired liver function. Therefore, taking the drug strictly according to the recommended dosage and frequency on the label is the basic principle of protecting liver health.
3. Regular liver function tests: the key to finding problems in time
Regular liver function tests are an effective means of monitoring liver health. Especially for people who have been taking medications for a long time or are at risk of liver disease, regular liver function checks can help detect and treat liver problems early. Liver function tests usually include blood tests to assess the health of the liver by measuring indicators such as liver enzyme levels. For example, abnormal liver enzyme levels may be an early sign of liver damage. Timely check-ups will not only help you better understand the effects of medications on your liver, but also help you take steps to prevent your condition from getting worse in the early stages of the problem.