[Prevention in general practice: what is dangerous for liver cells?].

The liver is engaged in detoxication and elimination of toxic-nutritional foreign material. In addition it is of high affinity to viruses and parasites. Different influences may cause pathological reactions, which are of great consequence to the normal and even more to the previously damaged liver. In general, interactions and cumulative effects of different toxic agents occur. The increase of chronic hepatic disorders in the last years has to be noticed considering economic and social medical aspects. At the first place of agents with a toxic effect to the liver there is alcohol, followed by hyperalimentation and malnutrition. Numerous drugs with different reactions to liver morphology, liver impairment caused by environmental influences and infections retain further places. Prophylaxis and therapy of toxic-nutritional liver damage is based on recognition and elimination of the noxes. Patients with chronic liver disease need a special management and consultation by their physician.