Symptoms Associated With Liver Pain
- Back Pain: In most cases, pain in the liver is accompanied with back pain or shoulder pain, especially on the right side.
- Fatigue: This is one of the common symptoms of liver diseases. ...
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Symptoms of liver diseases include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, poor appetite, diarrhea, etc.
What does liver pain feel like?
What Does Liver Pain Feel Like?
- Fatigue
- Itchy skin
- Loss of appetite
- Dark brownish urine
- Swelling of the ankles or legs
- Yellow skin or yellow eyes.
How to identify liver pain?
The liver is located in the upper abdomen, below the lungs and above the stomach. If you are having pain in that area, it may be coming from your liver. Identify a dull aching on the right-hand side of the abdomen. Since the liver is on the right side of the body, it is likely that your pain will be more acute on the right side.
What pain relievers are bad for Your Liver?
You may more likely to get toxic liver disease if:
- You take OTC pain relievers more than the recommended dose, or with alcohol.
- You already have another liver disease, like cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or hepatitis.
- You drink alcohol while you take certain medications or supplements.
- You work in a job that uses industrial chemicals that could be toxic.
- You’re older.
- You’re female.
Where do you feel pain from your liver?
Top 12 Liver Pain Symptoms
- Liver Pain Symptoms. Liver pain tends to be felt in the upper right side of the abdomen beneath the lower ribs, and is often described as a vague or dull ...
- Treating Liver Pain Symptoms Naturally. There are a number of ways to treat liver pain naturally, and they all revolve around diet. ...
- Preventing Liver Pain. Drink less alcohol. ...
- When to See the Doctor. ...
What does your liver hurting feel like?
So what does liver pain feel like? It manifests in different ways, but a common form is a dull throbbing. For some people, it occurs as a sharp, stabbing pain. Sometimes the pain migrates to other nearby areas, such as the right shoulder blade and the back.
What are the symptoms of a inflamed liver?
Symptoms of an inflamed liver can include:Feelings of fatigue.Jaundice (a condition that causes your skin and the whites of your eyes to turn yellow)Feeling full quickly after a meal.Nausea.Vomiting.Pain in the abdomen.
When should I worry about liver pain?
Be proactive and visit a doctor if you notice significant changes in your appetite or digestive health in general. Abdominal Pain – Cirrhosis-induced pain usually presents itself in the upper right abdomen, just below the right ribs. The pain may be throbbing or stabbing, and it can come and go.
Where is liver pain usually felt?
Liver pain is felt in the upper right area of the abdomen, just below the ribs. Usually, it is a dull, vague pain though it can sometimes be quite severe and may cause a backache, according to the Cleveland Clinic (opens in new tab). Sometimes people perceive it as pain in the right shoulder.
What are the five signs of liver damage?
Five Liver Damage Warning SignsFluid Retention. When there is a buildup of scar tissue in the liver known as cirrhosis, the blood flow through the liver is blocked. ... Jaundice. ... Nausea/Loss of Appetite. ... Pale Stools. ... Bruising. ... Caring for Your Liver.
How do you know if your liver is struggling?
SymptomsSkin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)Abdominal pain and swelling.Swelling in the legs and ankles.Itchy skin.Dark urine color.Pale stool color.Chronic fatigue.Nausea or vomiting.More items...•
What are the 3 signs of a fatty liver?
SymptomsAbdominal swelling (ascites)Enlarged blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface.Enlarged spleen.Red palms.Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Does liver pain go away?
Sometimes, liver pain will go away after making some lifestyle changes, such as abstaining from alcohol, losing weight, or following a healthful diet. Other problems may require medication or surgery. If there is liver failure, a liver transplant may be needed.
Is fatty liver painful?
Fatty Liver Disease Fatty liver usually causes no symptoms. But it can make you tired or give you a constant dull pain either in the right upper part of your belly, or all over it. Learn about diet and lifestyle changes that can help fatty liver disease.
Can your liver heal itself?
The liver is very resilient and capable of regenerating itself. Each time your liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die. The liver can develop new cells, but prolonged alcohol misuse (drinking too much) over many years can reduce its ability to regenerate.
Can you test your liver at home?
At-home liver tests can screen for liver enzymes, liver proteins, bilirubin, cholesterol, and lipids to provide an overview of a person's liver health. However, some tests may not be as extensive as a liver panel that a doctor conducts.
How can I heal my liver?
A Liver-Friendly Diet is Vital to Healing Your LiverEat lots of veggies (broccoli, carrots, and green leafy vegetables especially)Eat acidic fruits like grapefruit, berries, grapes, lemons, and oranges.Drink coffee. ... Drink green tea.Eat plenty of garlic.Maintain a plant-based diet as much as possible.More items...•
What are the problems that can occur in the liver?
Liver problems that can occur include fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. The liver and its cells — as seen through a microscope — change dramatically when a normal liver becomes fatty or cirrhotic.
What causes liver problems?
Liver problems can also be caused by a variety of factors that damage the liver, such as viruses, alcohol use and obesity. Over time, conditions that damage the liver can lead to scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition. But early treatment may give the liver time to heal.
What are the most common types of liver infections?
The most common types of liver infection are hepatitis viruses, including: Hepatitis A. Hepatitis B.
How to prevent liver disease?
To prevent liver disease: Drink alcohol in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Heavy or high-risk drinking is defined as more than eight drinks a week for women and more than 15 drinks a week for men. Avoid risky behavior.
Why is the liver important?
The liver is essential for digesting food and ridding your body of toxic substances. Liver disease can be inherited (genetic). Liver problems can also be caused by a variety of factors that damage the liver, such as viruses, alcohol use and obesity. Over time, conditions that damage the liver can lead to scarring (cirrhosis), ...
Where is the liver located?
About the size of a football, it's located mainly in the upper right portion of your abdomen, beneath the diaphragm and above your stomach.
How to prevent hepatitis?
Avoid contact with other people's blood and body fluids. Hepatitis viruses can be spread by accidental needle sticks or improper cleanup of blood or body fluids. Keep your food safe. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating or preparing foods .
Where does liver pain come from?
Liver pain symptoms can be difficult to diagnose, because the pain might radiate from around the liver or abdomen, but not directly where it is located. Symptoms vary from person to person as well, so determining an exact list of symptoms to look for is tricky. The liver is the largest gland in the body. It sits to the right of the stomach, on top ...
How to stop liver pain?
Here are some tips to help prevent liver pain: 1 Drink less alcohol. Excessive drinking is linked to liver damage and failure. Drink in moderation. For women and men over 65 this means one drink a day; two drinks a day for men under 65. 2 Risky behavior should be curbed. Do not share needles for drugs and use condoms when having sex. 3 Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, if you haven’t already had these shots. 4 Take prescription medication as indicated and do not mix it with alcohol. 5 Maintain a healthy weight; being overweight can cause fatty liver pain symptoms and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 6 Protect your skin from exposure to toxins such as pesticides and other toxic chemicals. The liver detoxifies the body, so help it out and stay away from excess toxins as much as possible.
How do you know if you have liver cancer?
Liver cancer pain symptoms include pain in the abdomen (which may move up through the right shoulder), a lump under the ribs, jaundice, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, changes in digestion habits, and changes in bowel habits .
Why does my liver hurt after drinking?
Liver pain symptoms from alcohol abuse are one of the more common reasons for this pain. The liver becomes inflamed and swollen from years of excessive drinking, and the damage can lead to liver failure, which is fatal. 1. Jaundice. Jaundice, which is the yellowing of the face and the whites of the eyes, can be alarming if it’s quite bad.
How to prevent liver pain?
Preventing Liver Pain. Here are some tips to help prevent liver pain: Drink less alcohol. Excessive drinking is linked to liver damage and failure. Drink in moderation. For women and men over 65 this means one drink a day; two drinks a day for men under 65. Risky behavior should be curbed.
What are the symptoms of a high fever?
Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include rapid heart rate, high fever, jerky movements, shortness of breath, severe pain, and vomiting blood.
How long does nausea last?
See your doctor if it keeps up for more than 48 hours.
What are the symptoms of liver disease?
Patients should seek immediate medical treatment if they experience any of the following: severe pain, especially in the abdomen. fever.
Where is liver pain?
What to know about liver pain. Liver pain can be felt in the upper part of the abdomen, on the right hand side. It can be a sign of a serious disease, so medical attention may be necessary. A healthy liver helps the body fight infections, cleans the blood, and plays a role in metabolism.
What is the name of the inflammation of the bile duct system?
Cholangitis. Cholangitis is inflammation of the bile duct system, usually due to a bacterial infection. The bile duct drains bile from the liver and gallbladder, carrying it to the small intestine. Cholangitis infection causes pressure to build up in this drainage system.
What are the most common types of hepatitis?
According to the CDC, the most common types. Trusted Source. of viral hepatitis in the United States are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Hepatitis B, C, and D cause chronic hepatitis, which can eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
What is an abscess in the liver?
A liver abscess is a pocket of infected fluid, or pus, that forms in the liver. Infection from certain germs, such as bacteria, parasites, or fungus, can cause the abscess. An abscess can damage nearby tissue, it can lead to bleeding, additional infections, and even death.
What happens if your liver is not working properly?
If the liver is unable to do its job properly, it can be a life-threatening situation. Liver pain can arise for various reasons. It is important to find out what is causing the pain and to get treatment to prevent irreversible damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4.5 million.
What is the name of the blood pressure increase in the liver?
This increase in pressure is known as portal hypertension. Portal hypertension causes fluid to build up in the abdomen. The blocked veins cause the blood flow from the liver to the heart to slow down or stop. Scarring of the liver or cirrhosis is also possible.
Where does the liver hurt?
Depending on the cause, a liver that hurts may show up as pain in the front center of your belly, in your back, or even your shoulders.
How do you know if you have liver cancer?
Once you do start to hurt, it can show up anywhere from your abdomen to your shoulder. Your doctor may be able to feel a lump by pressing on the right side of your belly.
What happens if you have a blood clot in your belly?
You also may have swelling in your belly and a fever. Learn more about the different types of blood clots. Thanks to its size, your liver may get injured after accidents, falls, and other trauma. If your liver is bleeding, you’ll usually have pain and tenderness in your abdomen and right shoulder.
What does it feel like to have alcoholic hepatitis?
Alcoholic hepatitis happens when too much alcohol overtaxes and inflames your liver. Pain from alcoholic hepatitis may make your abdomen feel tender. You also likely will lose weight and your appetite, be nauseated, run a low-grade fever, and feel tired and weak. Read more on alcoholic hepatitis.
Why do cysts hurt?
Cysts are also pockets of fluid, but they aren’t usually infected. If they are large, they may make you uncomfortable, mostly because you’ll feel “full” in your abdomen. Cysts sometimes can bleed, which can cause sudden, severe pain in your upper right belly and shoulder.
What is the name of the virus that causes the liver to hurt?
Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of your liver. The three most common types are hepatitis A, B, and C. They’re caused by different viruses that infect your liver. It can cause pain in the upper right side of your belly, where your liver sits. Other signs of hepatitis include dark-colored pee, yellow skin or eyes (known as jaundice ), tiredness, nausea, or vomiting. Learn more about the types of viral hepatitis.
What causes pain in the upper right side of the belly?
Viral Hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of your liver. The three most common types are hepatitis A, B, and C. They’re caused by different viruses that infect your liver. It can cause pain in the upper right side of your belly, where your liver sits.
Why is it so hard to tell liver pain?
It may be difficult to identify or distinguish liver from other types of abdominal pain because it is often subtle and insidious. Many people ignore initial liver pain symptoms until the pain is severe or other symptoms appear, such as: Changes in the color of the skin (yellowing, also called jaundice)
Where is liver pain?
It is often difficult to identify liver pain because it may occur as a dull aching pain that is experienced in the abdomen, often times in the upper right side. However, sometimes the character and location of the pain may vary, and the accompanying symptoms may be different from one person to another.
What is the best medicine for liver pain?
Many people take acetaminophen or other OTC painkillers to treat their liver pain. Avoid it! The reason is that taking acetaminophen will make your liver work even harder, which is only going to worsen your pain. If you have a liver condition, be sure to take whatever medications your doctor has prescribed. There are many antiviral drugs available now to help treat chronic conditions – some good options include adefovir and lamivudine. Also, you may have to complete several courses of an antiviral drug called Harvoni to deal with hepatitis C.
Why does my liver hurt on the right side?
Causes of Liver Pain. Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen may be caused by conditions that affect the liver itself. The pain may be referred or felt as pain in the right shoulder. This type of liver pain may be due to: Liver inflammation or chronic hepatitis. Fatty liver disease.
How to stop liver pain after a heavy meal?
1. Remedies. Increase your intake of water if you experience liver pain after waking up in the morning or your pain becomes worse after a heavy meal. Stay away from fatty foods for a few days and maintain a right posture to avoid putting pressure on your liver.
What causes liver pain?
Some conditions outside the liver can irritate or increase the pressure on the liver, causing liver pain symptoms, and these include: Gallstone disease. Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) Increased stomach acidity and inflammation (gastritis) Right lower lung pneumonia. Irritable bowel syndrome.
How to fix liver pain?
Healthy eating can help provide your liver with nutrients it needs to repair itself. Insufficient protein may be the cause of liver pain in many cases and increasing your intake of protein can resolve the issue. In addition, you should take steps to lower your cholesterol and control your weight.
How do you know if you have liver disease?
These include: yellow skin and eyes ( jaundice) dark urine. pale, bloody, or black (tarlike) stool. swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen. nausea.
What are the causes of liver problems?
Genetics can play a part in the development of some liver conditions. Common genetic conditions that can lead to liver problems include: hereditary hemochromatosis, a condition that causes your body to store excess iron in your organs.
Why is it important to know if your liver isn't functioning properly?
When your liver isn’t functioning properly due to liver disease , it can have potentially serious health effects. This is partly why it’s important to know how to recognize symptoms of a potential liver issue. Plus, most liver diseases are easier to manage with early detection.
What causes pain in the right side of the abdomen?
However, some people experience pain in the right side of their abdomen. As it progresses, it can also cause: fever. nausea and vomiting. jaundice. Many people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease also have few or no symptoms in its earlier stages. But over time it may cause: general weakness and fatigue.
What causes copper to be released from the liver?
Wilson’s disease, a condition that causes your liver to store copper instead of releasing it so it can leave your body. alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a condition where your body can’t make enough alpha-1 antitrypsin, which is mostly produced in your liver. Symptoms vary depending on the condition but may include:
What happens when you have too much fat in your liver?
Fatty liver disease happens when there’s excess fat in the liver. A liver with too much fat will swell and become inflamed. This inflammation can lead to cirrhosis (scarring), which can permanently damage the liver. There are two types of fatty liver disease:
What is the disease that causes inflammation in the liver?
Autoimmune symptoms. An autoimmune disease is a condition that involves your immune system attacking healthy tissue in your body. Those that cause your immune system to attack your liver can cause inflammation and scarring. Autoimmune liver conditions include:
Where is liver pain felt?
Liver pain location: Liver pain is easily confused with abdominal pain, kidney pain or back pain due to its location. It is felt in the upper-right quadrant beneath your rib cage.
How to treat liver pain?
Treating liver pain is possible only by initiating with elimination of the possible causes of the disease. Careful clinical examination and inquiry of the patient’s recent activities prior to the onset of the pain will help diagnose potential origins. Once a cause is determined a proper course of treatment can be prescribed. For example, an alcohol or drug addict should quit alcohol and drugs completely before starting medications. There are several possible treatments to get relief from pain of the liver. Some of these are personal hygiene or public health and sanitation related.
Why does the liver get inflamed?
The liver becomes inflamed when it cannot filter poisons, drugs, toxins and other foreign substances from your body. In order to recover, your body must flush them out. Additional cases of liver damage include autoimmune deficiency, hepatitis, and even overuse of acetaminophen ( Tylenol ).
What causes pain in the right side of the liver?
Gallstones. Hepatic vein thrombosis. Hepatitis causes swelling of the liver and results in pain in the right rib (liver pain in right side). Hepatic abscess. Hydatid cyst is the result of a parasitic tapeworm and its endocysts in the liver. [ 10] .
Why does my liver hurt?
Excessive fats cause the liver to swell and this results in liver pain. Swollen liver pain is caused by the expansion of the liver. As the liver expands, its membrane is stretched and the organ gets heavier. This results in abdominal pain which intensifies slowly if left untreated.
What is the function of the liver?
As a part of this entire process it purifies your blood from harmful substances. The liver also creates bile and secretes it as part of the digestion process. The liver is a detoxifying organ.
What is the condition called when you have bile obstruction?
Biliary obstruction. Bearn-Kunkel syndrome is sometimes referred to as lupoid hepatitis. It is an autoimmune liver condition most commonly found in women. Liver pain is a primary symptom. [ 4] Cholangitis is an infection in the bile duct which is responsible for carrying bile from the liver to the gall bladder.
How do you know if you have liver damage?
8 Signs of Liver Damage. Liver damage cases and fatalities are on the rise. Liver pain and chronic fatigue are the two most common symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these 8 signs of liver damage. Liver disease is on the rise, and alcohol is not the only cause. According to Statista, 64,850 cases of liver cirrhosis with no ties ...
Why does my liver hurt?
There are other potential reasons for liver pain and body waste abnormalities. These include sexually transmitted diseases, kidney disease, and overexertion. When liver disease is the cause, it is usually accompanied by the following symptoms: Insomnia.
How many cases of liver cirrhosis in 2015?
According to Statista, 64,850 cases of liver cirrhosis with no ties to alcohol use emerged from 2015 to 2017. Meanwhile, alcohol-related cirrhosis cases occurred at a rate of 5.9 per 100,000 people for the same period. Like most health conditions, early detection is the key to a full and speedy recovery.
What is the pain in the upper right abdomen?
Pain in the Upper Right Abdomen. The body is a complex ecosystem of organisms. Consequently, even when you know liver pain location, several other types of living tissues and processes occurring in this area could account for the pain. Still, it’s worth pointing out that 82% of people with cirrhosis report pain.
What are the complications of liver disease?
One of the most challenging and potentially embarrassing complications of liver disease and liver pain is how they can affect the reproductive symptoms of men and women. In women, it can lead to early menopause, which robs women who delayed starting a family of the opportunity to do so.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Certain medication for diabetes and high blood pressure. Sitting or standing for long periods. High-salt intakes . Pregnancy or premenstrual symptoms for women. 3. Jaundice. The yellowing of the skin and the sclera is one of the most alarming symptoms. Jaundice and liver pain can result from a number of illnesses.
Why does my urine lighten?
The older you become, the more important this is. Liver disease can cause urine to darken significantly. Ironically, it also causes the lightening of stools. It is possible for one to occur without the other, so noticing just one for a prolonged period is a good enough reason to contact a doctor.
The Role of the Liver
As we’ve discussed previously, while your liver is a part of your gastrointestinal system, its functions extend beyond simply producing bile for digestion.
6 Signs of Liver Damage
Sometimes the signs of liver damage can be easily mistaken for other health concerns or disorders. Here are six of the top signs you may have a problem with your liver and should consider getting it tested.
What to Do If You Suspect You Have Liver Damage
If you have one or more of the symptoms above, you may begin to suspect that you have some of the signs of liver damage.