I. Introduction
As an important part of traditional medicine in China, traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and wide application. However, in recent years, there have been many reports of liver damage caused by traditional Chinese medicine, which has attracted great public attention. In order to help you better understand the potential risks of TCM to the liver, this article will introduce in detail the eight types of TCM that may harm the liver and provide some suggestions to prevent liver damage.
Second, He Shou Wu
Polygonum multiflorum is a common Chinese herbal medicine, which has the effects of tonifying the liver and kidneys, benefiting sperm and blood, and black beard hair. However, some of the ingredients in Polygonum multiflorum may cause liver damage. Studies have found that long-term use or large amounts of Polygonum multiflorum may lead to drug-induced hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and other diseases. Therefore, when using Polygonum multiflori, you should follow your doctor's advice and avoid long-term and large amounts of use.
3. Tripterygium wilfordii
Tripterygium wilfordii has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain, and is often used for rheumatoid arthritis, disease and other diseases. However, some components in Tripterygium wilfordii are hepatotoxic and may lead to serious consequences such as acute liver injury and liver failure. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using Tripterygium wilfordii and avoid long-term or excessive use.
Fourth, soil three seven
Panax notoginseng has the effects of blood circulation and blood stasis, swelling and pain relief, and is often used for bruises, blood stasis and hematoma pain. However, some of the ingredients in Panax notoginseng may cause damage to the liver, leading to diseases such as drug-induced hepatitis and cirrhosis. Therefore, when using Panax notoginseng, you should follow the doctor's advice and avoid long-term heavy use.
Fifth, Cangzi
Xanthus has the effects of diverging wind and cold, clearing the nose, etc., and is often used for colds, rhinitis and other diseases. However, some components in Xanthium are hepatotoxic and may lead to serious consequences such as acute liver injury and liver failure. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using Xanthium and avoid long-term use or excessive use.
Sixth, ginkgo seeds
Ginkgo seeds have the effects of astringent lungs and asthma, stop band and shrinkage urine, and are often used for asthma, band and other diseases. However, some of the ingredients in ginkgo seeds may cause damage to the liver, leading to symptoms such as abnormal liver function, jaundice, etc. Therefore, you should follow your doctor's advice when using ginkgo seeds and avoid long-term use in large quantities.
7. Artemisia leaves
Artemisia leaves have the effects of warming menstruation and stopping bleeding, dissipating cold and relieving pain, and are often used for menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea and other diseases. However, some of the ingredients in mugwort leaves may cause damage to the liver, leading to diseases such as drug-induced hepatitis and cirrhosis. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using mugwort leaves and avoid long-term use or overdose.
8. Bitter almonds
Bitter almond has the effects of relieving cough and asthma, moistening the intestines and laxative, and is often used for cough, constipation and other diseases. However, some components in bitter almonds are hepatotoxic and may lead to serious consequences such as acute liver injury, liver failure, and more. Therefore, when using bitter almonds, you should follow your doctor's advice and avoid long-term heavy use.
9. How to prevent liver damage caused by traditional Chinese medicine?
1. Follow the doctor's advice: When using traditional Chinese medicine, you should follow the doctor's advice and prescription, and do not buy and use traditional Chinese medicine on your own. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication plan according to the patient's condition and needs.
2. Control the dosage and time of medication: The dosage and time of medication should be controlled when using traditional Chinese medicine, and long-term large use or excessive use should be avoided. If long-term use of traditional Chinese medicine is required, liver function tests should be performed regularly to detect and treat liver injury in a timely manner.
3. Understand the ingredients of the drug and avoid the use of drugs with liver toxicity before using traditional Chinese medicine. If you experience discomfort or abnormal symptoms during use, you should seek medical attention and inform your doctor of the medication you are using.
4. Avoid using multiple drugs at the same time: When using traditional Chinese medicine, you should avoid using multiple drugs at the same time, especially drugs with similar effects or ingredients. Simultaneous use of multiple drugs may increase the burden on the liver and the risk of drug interactions.
5. Pay attention to diet and Xi lifestyle habits: During the use of traditional Chinese medicine, you should pay attention to the adjustment of diet and Xi lifestyle habits, avoid eating spicy, greasy and other irritating foods, and maintain sufficient sleep and a good attitude. These measures help to reduce the burden on the liver and prevent the occurrence of liver damage.
6. Regular examination of liver function: During the use of traditional Chinese medicine, liver function tests should be carried out regularly to detect and deal with liver injury in time. If symptoms such as abnormal liver function or jaundice occur, you should stop using the medication immediately and seek medical attention**.
10. Possible causes and mechanisms of liver injury in traditional Chinese medicine
The causes and mechanisms of liver injury caused by traditional Chinese medicine are multifaceted. Some traditional Chinese medicines may contain toxic ingredients, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, etc., which may produce toxic metabolites during metabolism in the body and cause damage to the liver. In addition, the processing, storage and use of traditional Chinese medicine may also be contaminated or deteriorated, leading to the formation of harmful substances, which in turn can cause damage to the liver.
In addition, individual differences are also one of the important causes of liver injury caused by traditional Chinese medicine. Different people have different metabolism and sensitivity to drugs, and some people may be particularly sensitive to certain TCM components and are prone to liver damage. At the same time, people with liver disease, metabolic disease, or who are using other drugs may be more sensitive to the hepatotoxicity of TCM.
Ten.
1. Symptoms and diagnosis of liver injury.
Symptoms of liver damage caused by traditional Chinese medicine may include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, abdominal pain, etc. If you experience these symptoms, you should stop using the medication immediately and see a doctor for a check-up.
Diagnosis of liver injury usually requires liver function tests, including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin. In addition, doctors may do liver imaging tests or liver biopsies as needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Ten.
2. The first and prognosis of liver injury in traditional Chinese medicine.
For liver injury caused by traditional Chinese medicine, the methods mainly include drug discontinuation, liver protection, and symptomatic. After stopping the drug, most patients will gradually return to normal liver function. Hepatoprotection** includes the use of hepatoprotective drugs, supplementation of nutrients, etc., to promote liver repair and regeneration. Symptomatic treatment is mainly carried out for symptoms caused by liver damage, such as jaundice, ascites, etc.
In terms of prognosis, patients with mild liver injury usually have a good prognosis, and liver function gradually returns to normal. Patients with severe or chronic liver injury may require long-term** and monitoring, and some patients may develop serious consequences such as cirrhosis or liver failure. Therefore, it is essential to prevent liver damage caused by traditional Chinese medicine.
Conclusions and prospects
As a valuable resource of traditional medicine in China, traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in disease and health care. However, in recent years, there have been many reports of liver injury caused by traditional Chinese medicine, which should be taken seriously. When using traditional Chinese medicine, we should follow the doctor's instructions, control the dosage and time of medication, understand the drug ingredients and avoid using multiple drugs at the same time, pay attention to diet and Xi lifestyle habits, and regularly check liver function and other measures to prevent the occurrence of liver damage.