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Steve Harwell, the former lead singer of Smash Mouth, has died at 56 : NPR

steve harwell cause of death drinking

If a chronic liver patient continues to stress the organ, such as participating in a night of binge drinking, the sudden exacerbation can stress the liver, causing it to fail in a medical condition known as acute-on-chronic liver failure. “Many liver conditions show very little or no symptoms at all until later stages of disease, called chronic liver disease.” Harwell, who sang hits like All Star and Then the Morning Comes, suffered acute liver failure, band manager says. TMZ was first to report that the singer was in the final stage of liver failure after previously undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse at a hospital. The heart disease led to “serious medical setbacks” for Harwell, including heart failure and acute Wernicke encephalopathy, the latter of which affected his speech and memory. Harwell “suffered numerous symptoms” from his medical condition during his performance in 2021, according to his rep.

Former Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell dies at 56

In this situation, a patient “may have underlying long-standing chronic liver disease or cirrhosis,” Kushner explains, and then an infection or other issue “on top of that leads to liver failure.” Steve Harwell died from acute liver failure, his band’s manager told NBC News. According to his manager who confirmed the news to TMZ, Harwell’s cause of death was liver failure caused by years of alcohol abuse.

What killed Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell? Singer dies after suffering liver failure from years of addiction and drugs

Harwell faced personal challenges throughout his career, notably his battle with alcoholism. Despite these challenges, he remained a prominent figure in the music industry. But many transplant centers will refuse the operation to people who are currently active substance abusers or alcoholics. In other cases, a whole liver may be taken from a deceased donor and transplanted into a patient. Liver failure is when the vital organ is no longer able to carry out its critical functions. It is diagnosed via blood tests, which can reveal whether the organ is working properly.

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In a statement Robert Hayes said Harwell died at his home in Idaho, “surrounded by family and friends”. Hayes called Harwell a “true American original,” and said he should be remembered for his unwavering focus and determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. The fact that Harwell did that with https://rehabliving.net/ limited musical experience, he said, makes his achievements all the more remarkable. Treatment for acute liver failure differs based on the underlying cause, the Johns Hopkins website notes, but may include options such as measures to counteract overdoses or medicine to treat underlying conditions.

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Acute liver failure refers to “a rapid progression of damage to the liver in a relatively short period of time,” Vijh explained. Steve Harwell, the lead singer of US band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56. According to Johns Hopkins, taking too much acetaminophen — the pain reliever found in Tylenol and other over-the-counter and prescription products — causes most cases of acute liver failure. Acute liver failure, also known as fulminant hepatic failure, is a rare but life-threatening condition in which the liver loses function. Harwell left Smash Mouth in October 2021 to “focus on his physical and mental health,” his representative told People at the time. He’d been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy several years ago, according to previous interviews with People.

steve harwell cause of death drinking

Former Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell dies of liver failure — what Canadians need to know

Best known for the 1999 hit “All Star,” Harwell’s “iconic voice is one of the most recognizable voices from his generation. He loved the fans and loved to perform,” the statement said. Steve’s life journey was filled with triumphs and challenges, and his family stood by him throughout his health struggles. Harwell’s career was characterized by hits like “All-Star” and “Walkin’ on the Sun,” which became anthems of an era. Despite his personal challenges, he left behind a musical legacy that will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come.

He made a cameo in 2001 comedy film Rat Race and had a well-documented friendship with the Food Network chef and host Guy Fieri. Harwell suffered a personal tragedy in 2001 when his new-born son Presley died from complications from acute lymphocytic leukaemia. The musician reportedly helped to set up a medical research fund in his son’s name. The musician, who struggled with alcoholism, was diagnosed with the heart ailment cardiomyopathy in 2013; and subsequently a neurological condition which affected his memory and speech. He and the band, including Greg Camp on guitar, Paul De Lisle on bass and Kevin Coleman on drums, shot to fame with hits such the 1997’s “Walking on the Sun” and “All Star” from the 1999 album Astro Lounge.

The following year a show in Memphis was cancelled after he had trouble breathing during the soundcheck. And in 2018 he became ill mid-show in Australia and had to leave the stage – the band carried on without him. Some critics wrote the band off as a one-hit wonder, but Smash Mouth proved them wrong with their second album Astro Lounge in 1999. Hayes added that “Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out”. Previously, she wrote for USA Today, where she was selected to help launch the newspaper’s wellness vertical. Sometimes a liver biopsy may be required to help determine the best course of treatment.

“Getting active for 150 minutes a week and adding in strength training twice a week helps with your liver health, and other organs like your heart and lungs too,” the expert advised. This can include daily activities like gardening, walking, swimming, dancing, or even cleaning your house. “One symptom that is unique to liver disease though, is yellowing of the skin and eyes, also known as jaundice,” Vijh said.

A source close to Harwell explained to PEOPLE in 2021 that the musician had “suffered profusely” with addiction over the years, which have led to some of his medical and mental health issues. TMZ reported that the singer had for years dealt with alcohol abuse and addiction issues. Steve Harwell, former lead vocalist of the rock band Smash Mouth, is in hospice care, USA TODAY has learned. Smash Mouth’s long-time manager Robert Hayes confirmed to US media on 3 September that the singer did not have long to live, and was being cared for by his fiancée and hospice care. The Mayo Clinic says you can also reduce your risk of acute liver failure through prevention, including following instructions on medications, reducing alcohol consumption and getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.

“Steve has been retired from Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode. In October 2021, Harwell announced his retirement from the band following a fumbled performance at a beer and wine festival. During an appearance with the band at The Big Sip in New York, a video of Harwell slurring his speech, cursing at the audience, and making a gesture that resembled a Nazi salute, became viral. “Today” host Carson Daly published a two-part statement on Instagram, detailing the first time he met Harwell in 1995, when he was a DJ on JOME in San Jose and Smash Mouth was a new band. Humor was a driving force behind Smash Mouth’s success, and at the forefront was Harwell’s playful alt-rock voice and persona. He made a cameo in 2001 comedy film “Rat Race,” and had a well-documented friendship with the Food Network chef and host Guy Fieri.

steve harwell cause of death drinking

Smash Mouth had a string of hits in the 1990s and 2000s with All Star, Walkin’ on the Sun and I’m a Believer. Harwell left Smash Mouth in 2021, shortly after a performance in Upstate New York, where he was slurring his words and seem disoriented. https://rehabliving.net/cbd-addiction-is-cannabidiol-cbd-addictive/ In this Sept. 29, 2008, file photo, singer Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth performs with the band during a rally celebrating the Los Angeles Angels’ American League West Division Championship baseball title in Anaheim, Calif.

“Even though Steve has not been with Smash Mouth for two years now, and the band continues to tour with new vocalist Zach Goode his legacy will live on through the music,” Hayes told PEOPLE on Sunday. Smash Mouth burst onto the scene in the late 1990s with the release of the band’s major-label debut, “Fush Yu Mang,” which went on to sell two million copies. The album’s follow-up, “Astro Lounge,” featured the Billboard Hot 100 hit “All Star.” The band also contributed to the soundtrack of the animated film “Shrek” in 2001. “Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rock star, performing in front of sold-out arenas, and have been so fortunate to live out that dream,” Harwell continued. Harwell had been diagnosed with various illnesses like cardiomyopathy and Wernicke’s encephalopathy throughout the years that affected his motor skills and heart. Hayes had released a statement on Sunday saying Harwell was in hospice care.

  1. The fact that Harwell did that with limited musical experience, he said, makes his achievements all the more remarkable.
  2. Both conditions can be caused by alcohol abuse, which damages the organ and leads it to replace healthy cells with scar tissue — impairing its function.
  3. The band’s manager, Robert Hayes, said Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably” on Monday morning at his home in Boise, Idaho, where he was surrounded by family and friends.
  4. With chronic liver failure, patients usually have long-standing liver disease, Kushner says, which can be caused by long-term alcohol use, hepatitis viruses, autoimmune conditions and genetic conditions.

The Canadian Press reported the band’s manager Robert Hayes, said Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably” surrounded by family and friends at his home in Idaho. The singer died of acute liver failure on Monday, Sept. 4 at his home in Boise, Idaho, the band’s manager Robert Hayes confirms to PEOPLE. “He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably,” Hayes said in a statement. His death was confirmed by the band’s manager, Robert Hayes, who said the cause was acute liver failure. He said Harwell was “surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably.”

His retirement from music in 2021 marked the end of an era for Smash Mouth, but his legacy lives on through his music and the memories he created with fans. His struggle with alcoholism and its devastating consequences shed light on the importance of addressing addiction and seeking help. These can overwhelm the liver with toxic substances causing it to shut down. Liver disease affects one in four Canadians (25 per cent), and was in the top 10 causes of deaths in Canada in 2022.

steve harwell cause of death drinking

TMZ, which was the first outlet to report the news, reported Harwell has “reached the final stage of liver failure” due to alcohol abuse throughout his life. Alcohol also plays a role in the health of your liver, though it is more directly a cause of chronic liver failure, which is more common and develops over a longer period. Doctors are typically able to decide whether or not a patient is a transplant candidate — and, if so, get them listed for a transplant — within a day, Lucero says. The challenge with acute liver failure patients, though, is that they “have to be able to agree to take lifelong immune suppression to prevent rejection of the organ,” Lucero explains.

For example, if someone took too much acetaminophen, doctors have medications available to help counter the toxicity. There can be multiple causes of acute liver failure, including an overdose of a common medicine. This is because any further use of alcohol or other substances can lead to rapid damage to the newly transplanted liver, causing the operation to fail.

Although an official cause of death has not been confirmed, Harwell’s manager said in a statement Monday the singer had died from acute liver failure after being moved to hospice care. The band’s manager, Robert Hayes, confirmed the news in a statement to Rolling Stone, saying the founding vocalist was “surrounded by family and friends” when he “passed peacefully and comfortably” at his home in Boise, Idaho. Harwell left Smash Mouth in 2021, though the band continued to tour with Zach Goode as its lead singer.

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