Maybe it was a narrow, prejudiced view of the situation. But there was a time when news of someone with liver disease created a suspicion of alcohol overuse. No more.
Now it's a legal drug people consume to help them make it through the day: Acetaminophen. According to Illinois Poison Center Blog:
Acetaminophen is one of the most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications, appearing in over 600 OTC products. It is an effective pain reliever and fever reducer when used as directed, though it can cause severe liver damage if overused. In fact, acetaminophen overdose is the most common cause of acute liver failure requiring a liver transplant in the United States. Although many of these cases of liver failure are the result of intentional overdose of acetaminophen, it is not uncommon for patients to receive too much acetaminophen in the form of multiple OTC and prescription products. [Emphasis mine.]
I'm getting a liver ache just thinking about it.
not that only alcohol causes liver dysfunction, it does when combined with many other factors such as pollution and smoking.
Posted by: generic | October 19, 2011 at 07:20 AM