liver

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Solomon L. Lerer, M.D.

Gastroenterology

Office (305) 931-6220 Fax (305) 466-4755

Liver

The liver is a large organ under the right rib cage that is one of the major filtering organs
in the body. It cleans the blood of many toxins and substances that would be harmful
if not removed from the blood or converted into other chemical compounds. The liver is
also responsible for removing or changing many of the medications we take so that they
do not stay in the bloodstream and accumulate, causing harm. Unfortunately, many of the
substances that the liver attempts to clear from the bloodstream can also harm the liver if
taken in large quantities. The best example of this is alcohol.
Taken in moderation, alcohol is not harmful. Taken in excess, inflammation of the liver, or
hepatitis can develop, which if allowed to progress, can cause permanent liver damage. The
liver also has tremendous regenerative capacity, so that even a moderate amount of inflammation
rarely causes permanent liver damage.