Does Kratom cause Liver toxicity?
Hepatotoxicity is a well-known side effect of the administration of different medications. As the liver is vital to the body, it can be easily damaged by agents found in either food or drugs. And the latest to be linked with liver toxicity is kratom, the common name of Asia’s tree of life.
Kratom is a drug that is made from the leaves of a tree, Mitragyna speciosa. Kratom has been in the spotlight for various reasons recently including its use in fighting opioid addiction. However, its major use is pain-relieving.
This blog will discuss the findings of a recent study that suggests kratom use can lead to liver damage in a small number of users. So read on, to find how and why kratom is linked with liver toxicity?
What is liver toxicity?
Hepatotoxicity implies chemical-driven liver damage caused by medications. The liver is a vital organ that does a lot for us, and it can get easily damaged by agents found in either food or drugs. This kind of liver disease could be a cause of acute and chronic conditions.
Certain medicinal agents, when taken in excess and sometimes even while within a therapeutic range, can damage liver cells or lead to liver disease. Factors such as age and inherited proteins influence the risk of developing such problems. Other chemical agents such as those used in laboratories and industries can also induce hepatotoxicity.
If there are signs of liver toxicity your skin may start to develop a yellowish glow and your eyes might also turn color – this means that liver cells have been destroyed. Other symptoms happen according to the type of toxin. These may include itching, abdominal pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, rash, and fever.
Kratom and liver toxicity:
A new study shows that kratom use can lead to liver damage in a small number of users. Kratom is a tropical tree from Southeast Asia with leaves that can be consumed in several ways, including being brewed into tea. Though kratom has been used for hundreds of years in Southeast Asia, it is illegal in many parts of the world, including the United States. In recent years, kratom has become popular in the United States as an alternative treatment for pain and opioid withdrawal.
Besides so many advantages, kratom use has also been liked with liver toxicity. Kratom, while not directly harmful to the liver, does have the capacity to increase strain on the vital organ which could lead to primary liver damage in rare cases of prolonged use. However, these are very rare cases that are likely to occur only after a long period of chronic abuse.
Some people do not experience any effects when they use kratom, but others suffer from a range of different symptoms. The symptoms can be abdominal discomfort, jaundice, and irritation.
The majority of users do not seem to develop liver injuries, and it’s tough determining which users are at heightened risk. Also, it’s still unclear how kratom causes liver damage in some people, but there are theories.
According to the research, the liver biopsies of kratom users have shown cholestasis. Cholestasis is liver disease in which the bile flow from the liver to the duodenum is blocked. Bile is important for the normal digestion of food especially lipids. So when there is no bile the digestion is affected.
Is liver toxicity reversible?
It is one of the most-often-asked questions. A doctor says that liver toxicity can cause many dangerous conditions, such as hepatitis and biliary obstruction. Drug-induced liver toxicity, however, can be reversed by discontinuing the offending medication.
Treatments for liver toxicity can vary depending on the specific cause, including supportive care, anti-nausea medications, and anti-viral medications. In rare cases where liver damage is severe, a liver transplant may be necessary to reduce the complications from the damaged organ.
The liver is a vital organ that does a lot for us, and it can get easily damaged by agents found in either food or drugs. It is important to know that kratom use can lead to liver damage in a small number of users. Besides so many advantages, kratom use has also been liked with liver toxicity. Kratom, while not directly harmful to the liver, does have the capacity to increase strain on the vital organ. We hope you have enjoyed our article about how to keep the liver healthy.