Liver pain usually shows itself in the upper section of your tummy, more to the right side. This pain can hint at some serious health problems, so if you’re experiencing it, it’s a good idea to get checked by a doctor.
Our liver helps our body fight diseases, filters our blood, and aids in digestion. If there’s something wrong with your liver, it might not be able to function well. This situation can be life-threatening. Various factors can cause liver pain, and it’s vital to figure out the reason promptly so we can prevent lasting damage. According to the American Liver Foundation, one in ten Americans are dealing with some form of liver disease.
Most liver pain might feel dull or vague, but it can get sharp and severe too. Sometimes it might even feel like a backache. Liver pain can easily be mistaken for a pain that’s actually in your right shoulder, your stomach, or your kidneys.
Liver disease can cause liver pain. Many other organ complications can lead to liver pain as well. Some of these conditions might even cause liver injury. If not treated, the liver could stop working altogether.
Liver pain is often linked to any condition that leads to liver swelling or injury. These issues typically do not show noticeable symptoms until they’re significantly advanced. Therefore, it’s essential to stay alert about any liver pain or other signs pointing towards potential liver problems.
Some alarming symptoms to look out for include:
– Severe pain, especially in the stomach
– Fever
– Dark-colored urine
– Stool that looks pale, bloody or tar-like
– Nausea and vomiting
– Unexplained weight loss
– Yellowing of the skin
– Extreme discomfort when touching the belly
– Swelling in your belly or your legs
– Itchy skin
– Constant tiredness
– Loss of appetite
Several different illnesses can cause liver pain symptoms, including cholangitis (where the bile tube system gets inflamed due to bacterial infection), various types of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver due to infections, alcohol abuse, toxins, certain drugs and medical conditions), liver abscess (a sac of pus caused by bacterial, parasite, or fungal infection in the liver), and cirrhosis (which happens when your healthy liver gets replaced by scar tissue due to damage over time).
Likewise, alcohol consumption plays a big part in liver conditions and is the leading cause of cirrhosis in the U.S. Problems arise if you consume more alcohol than your liver can process. This overconsumption can damage or even kill your liver cells.
Liver diseases might have several causes including infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, side effects of drugs, cancer, extensive alcohol abuse, or fat accumulation in the liver. If you heavily use alcohol, inject drugs or share needles, engage in unprotected sex, or if you’re exposed to particular chemicals or toxins, you’re at high risk of liver disease. Diabetes, obesity also put you at risk.
If you are experiencing liver pain symptoms, your doctor will check you over, look at your health history, probably do blood tests, imaging tests and even a tissue analysis. Sometimes, changing your lifestyle like avoiding alcohol, losing weight, or eating healthier can lessen liver pain. In severe cases, you might need medication or surgery, or even a liver transplant if there’s liver failure.
Practicing safe behavior like moderate alcohol drinking, avoiding sharing needles or having unprotected sex, getting vaccinated against hepatitis, using drugs responsibly, maintaining a healthy weight can prevent liver disease. It’s also important to get screened for liver disease regularly. Even if you’re experiencing liver pain, proper treatment and lifestyle changes can help you lead a normal life.
