Symptoms of liver failure include abdominal pain, jaundice — yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes — and severe fatigue. Steve Harwell, the ex-frontman for the band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56 years old. Smash Mouth’s legacy in the music industry is marked by their catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and infectious energy, earning them critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. Their music has become synonymous with the carefree spirit of the late 90s and early 2000s, appearing in films, TV shows, commercials, and video games. Smash Mouth, a rock band, gained prominence in the late 1990s with their unique blend of alternative rock and pop influences.
Acute liver failure treatments
- Unfortunately, Harwell’s passing is a solemn reminder that anyone can be affected by alcohol use disorder, no matter their level of success.
- The fact he was in hospice tells us that his death, sad as it was, was not sudden or unexpected.
- For people with liver failure due to alcohol addiction, treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as abstaining from alcohol, rehab or therapy to address the factors driving someone to drink.
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Harwell was receiving hospital care, but passed away in his Boise, Idaho home alongside family and friends. In a separate 2020 filing, Campbell reiterated Harwell’s substance abuse, noting that despite a short stint in rehab, the singer fell off the wagon again. She further accused him of abusive behaviors, revealing that he damaged her phone and intentionally left her car windows open in the rain. Campbell also alleged that the singer suffered from Bipolar disorder but refused to take his medications, though that diagnosis has never been publicly confirmed.
In spite of becoming the veritable poster child for celebrity alcohol addiction, Winehouse resisted all attempts to get her to enter alcohol use disorder treatment. Finally, she did admit herself to rehab for alcoholism, in spite of her famous song to the contrary. Chronic and/or long-term alcohol misuse not only causes more damage to the liver—but it can also undermine its miraculous ability for regeneration. At this point, fatty liver disease may give way to alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or other conditions which finally culminate in acute liver failure. His family and friends gathered at his home where he has been under hospice care over the past three days as he entered the final stage of liver failure, according to his manager. “He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably,” the band’s manager, Robert Hayes, said in a statement to NBC News.
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We now know that Steve Harwell’s official cause of death was acute liver failure. The fact he was in hospice tells us that his death, sad as it was, was not sudden or unexpected. In the late 90s, you could scarcely make it through a day without hearing their 1999 hit “All Star” blaring from a car stereo in a passing Jeep Wrangler or convertible Ford Mustang. Fans were shocked by the news of Harwell entering hospice care and his subsequent passing, though Harwell had a history of addiction-related health problems, particularly during the last decade of his life. In 2013, Harwell was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and Wernicke encephalopathy, two health conditions where alcohol use can be an exacerbating factor.
What killed Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell? Singer dies after suffering liver failure from years of addiction and drugs
The condition occurs when the heart muscles can’t effectively pump blood to the rest of the body, the Mayo Clinic explains, and it can later lead to heart failure, blood clots and cardiac arrest. 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. This is when a portion of a healthy liver is taken from a living donor and transplanted into an individual who has liver failure, replacing their damaged organ and growing to a fully functioning liver.
- Steve Harwell, the ex-frontman for the band Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56 years old.
- 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.
- Liver failure is when the liver shuts down and is unable to carry out important bodily functions.
- Chronic and long-term alcohol use disorder can lead to liver diseases, including fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and acute liver failure.
- Harwell’s death occurred after his long battle with liver failure caused by his alcohol abuse for years.
Smash Mouth Frontman Steve Harwell’s Health Issues Before Death Explored
It is worth mentioning that Harwell had also been previously diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that hinders the heart’s ability to pump blood. “Although Steve is here with us still, sadly it will only be for a short time (…) Steve is resting at home being cared for by his fiancée and hospice care,” said Hayes last night. Drinking to excess was the norm in the rock and popular music worlds in the 60s and 70s. But even for a member of one of the most famous bands in the world at the time, John Bonham was known as an especially prodigious drinker. Both were female singer-songwriters famous for deeply soulful ballads and bluesy tunes that tug at the heartstrings and seem like the product of much older, world-weary spirits.
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Steve Harwell, most notably known as the founding lead singer of the rock band Smash Mouth, passed away on Monday, reported longtime band manager Robert Hayes. Harwell later developed Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a sudden brain and memory disorder that’s caused by a lack of vitamin B1, which causes brain damage, the Cleveland Clinic explains. People with a history of alcohol use disorder are more likely to develop the condition.
Once Steve Harwell’s cause of death was made public, it was inevitable that the curiosity of fans and the media would lead to questions. Celebrity alcohol addiction was bound to enter the conversation, especially since the Smashmouth frontman had been open about his battle with alcohol in the past. Despite the challenges he faced, Harwell’s journey through addiction sparked a profound dialogue surrounding mental health and substance abuse in the entertainment industry. His openness about his struggles helped break down stigmas and barriers, fostering greater understanding and empathy within the music community. Harwell’s willingness to confront his demons publicly served as a beacon of hope for those grappling with similar challenges, inspiring countless individuals to seek help and support. Smash Mouth’s meteoric rise to fame catapulted them into the spotlight of pop culture.
Both conditions are said to have negatively affected Harwell over the years and are thought to have contributed to him suffering from late-stage liver failure, his ultimate cause of death, according to USA Today. Harwell entered hospice care on Sunday and died on Monday, surrounded by his fiancée, friends, and family in his Boise, Idaho home. Harwell left Smash Mouth in October 2021 to “focus on his physical and mental health,” his representative told People at the time. If they do receive a transplant and continue to drink, “then their new liver will also fail eventually.” In some cases, treatments can prevent further complications or help reverse acute liver failure by giving the liver time to heal, the Mayo Clinic says. For instance, although chronic alcohol consumption doesn’t directly cause acute liver failure, it “decreases the threshold to develop drug-induced liver injury,” Lucero says.
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The journey of Steve Harwell, the lead singer of the band Smash Mouth, is a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of addiction on both individual lives and the music industry. Known for his energetic performances and catchy tunes, Steve Harwell’s cause of death was attributed to acute liver failure, a condition linked to his struggle with alcohol addiction. Steve Harwell’s death, which garnered significant media attention, was not sudden and highlighted his previous openness about his battle with alcoholism. Rolling Stone magazine covered Harwell’s career and personal struggles, further chronicling did steve harwell drink a lot his influence on music and the challenges he faced. Despite his fame and success with Smash Mouth, Harwell’s struggle with alcohol abuse led to serious health complications, ultimately culminating in his diagnosis of cirrhosis and the need for a liver transplant. As fans mourned the decline of their beloved frontman, Harwell’s journey underscored the harsh reality of substance abuse and the toll it takes on those affected.
Although his official cause of death has not been confirmed, Harwell’s manager noted on Sunday he was in the final stages of liver failure when he was moved to hospice care. Liver failure is when the liver shuts down and is unable to carry out important bodily functions. It is most often the result of long-term liver disease, which has many contributing factors, including genetics, infections, immunodeficiencies, and long-term alcohol abuse.
It’s easy to fantasize about the celebrity life, but when we do, we rarely consider the stressful bits. Celebrities are just as vulnerable to depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health challenges as the rest of us. Add to that the fact that they often don’t have the structure of a regular “day job”. Harwell’s official cause of death has not been made public, but it comes two years after the singer retired from performing in 2021 due to a series of alcohol related health issues. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle,’ Hayes said.
“Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle,” the statement continues. Steve Harwell’s struggles with addiction have taken a toll on both his career and personal life, leading to public incidents of substance abuse and erratic behavior. Despite setbacks, his resilience and determination to overcome his demons have inspired fans and peers alike, earning him respect and admiration. One day at a time, we help people recover from alcohol addiction and other substance use disorders. Compassionate, evidence-based treatment for addiction based on the latest research is offered within these walls. But we also recognize there is more to crafting a life well-lived in recovery than exceptional treatment.
In 2013, the California-born singer was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a combination of diseases that affects the heart. He had also been suffering from Wernicke encephalopathy, which causes several painful symptoms such as difficulty walking, hypothermia, and confusion. Harwell’s pop-punk style earned him legions of fans over the years as Smash Mouth landed two no.1 hit singles and a Grammy nomination, selling over 10 million albums worldwide before he left the band two years ago.
