I've heard people say that the liver repairs itself, or restores itself, over the years. So, people that have been drinking who have destroyed or damaged their liver, are okay because, it can be re-built. First of all, is this true? Secondly, if this is true, is the liver the only organ of the body that can do this?
2006-10-09 10:07:49 · 3 answers · asked by LibraT 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Well, not technically. If there is a part of the liver that has to be removed, from let's say cancer or something, then the rest of the liver will enlarge to fill the spot, but it doesn't "grow back". There is a certain amount of damage the liver can take before it becomes permanent and it won't heal. Long term use of alcohol literally damages the liver to the point where it will scar, causing a condition known as cirrosis. That you don't recover from and the person will eventually die of liver failure. You can't use loads of drugs and alcohol and then just think "Hey, my liver will just heal it's self, even while I keep abusing it over and over." And for the final question, no, the tongue can also grow back from damage, as can a lot of other body organs, just over a long period of time.
2006-10-09 10:14:48 · answer #1 · answered by lilia_164 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's true enough, that they can do liver transplants using only half a liver to the donee. The liver regenerates, but it is not the only organ which can do this. Skin heals and regenerates, and sometimes even nerves can do so.
It all depends on how severe the damage has been. Before cirrhosis sets in, there is a condition called fatty liver, in which the liver function is impeded by a lot of fat deposits, as from alcohol.
Another type of damage is the cancerous kind. This type of damage does NOT simply go away in time, from regeneration.
Blood tests from your doctor can gauge your liver function. In the event of something that looks bad, they can do a needle biopsy to take a sample of the liver tissue and determine how healthy it is.
2006-10-09 10:22:46 · answer #2 · answered by DinDjinn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the liver is damaged from over drinking for a long time it is sucrose's of the liver and most cases it cant be repaired. some times if not damaged to the extent of surgery , , then the liver can heal ..
other body organs can heal also if not overly damaged,,...
2006-10-09 10:19:52 · answer #3 · answered by StarShine G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋