Pain in the liver area

Pain in the liver area is a fairly common occurrence and can occur in both elderly and young people, and even in children. At the same time, such pain can be a sign of a serious disease of the internal organs, or it can occur during some normal physiological processes and not indicate any pathology.

In addition, pain in the liver area is not necessarily caused by a disease or problem associated with this organ. It can equally be caused by irritation or disease of other organs located near the liver.

Therefore, often a person cannot independently understand the reasons causing pain in the area of the right rib, and for an accurate diagnosis it is better to consult a specialist and undergo a comprehensive examination.

[ 1 ]

Causes of pain in the liver area

There are a huge number of reasons that can cause pain in the liver area. As already mentioned, such pain can be a symptom of a disease of different organs. Here is a short list of reasons that can cause pain in the right hypochondrium. But it is worth remembering that in most cases and with most diseases, pain in the liver area will not be the only symptom. It will be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, loss of appetite, and so on.

• viral diseases

Some viral diseases and acute respiratory infections can cause pain in the area of the right rib. For example, flu or adenovirus infection can affect the lymphatic system and liver, which leads to their enlargement and can be expressed in aching pain in the liver area.

• physical activity

Such pain may appear after physical exercise or physical work, when venous blood “flows” into the liver, increasing its size.

• invasions

Parasite infestation can also cause pain in the liver area. There are some parasitic worms that multiply and affect mainly the liver, which leads to pain in this organ.

• cirrhosis

There are several types and etiologies of liver cirrhosis, but any of them leads to painful symptoms in this organ.

• hepatitis

Hepatitis can be both acute and chronic. The nature of the pain will be different, but any hepatitis will give itself away by pain in the area of the right rib.

• alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption will undoubtedly lead to liver pain, as it is responsible for detoxifying the body and blood.

• poor nutrition

The same is true for poor nutrition. Spicy, fatty foods can cause pain in the right rib area.

• diseases of other organs

Sometimes pain in the liver area can be felt due to a disease of another organ, for example, it can be caused by diseases of the gallbladder or pancreas.

• stress

In addition to all of the above, it should be mentioned that pain in the liver area can have psychosomatic causes. This means that not only physical damage to the body or its organs can cause this pain, but also the mental state of a person. Namely, such pain can be caused by stress, mental overload, and so on.

[ 2 ], [ 3 ]

How does pain in the liver area manifest itself?

Pain in the liver area can manifest itself in different ways. In some cases, it can be aching or pulling, but not sharp pain. Or, on the contrary, it can be of a spasmodic nature, this is a sharp and almost unbearable pain. Often, it is by the nature of pain in the liver area that one can determine the reasons for its occurrence.

One of the characteristic types of pain under the right rib is spasmodic pain and a feeling of compression and heaviness. Such pain can gradually increase. Another manifestation of pain is colic or sharp, stabbing pain in the right hypochondrium. These spasms can be sudden and short-term, but they can also occur periodically with some consistency. Let's look at the different types of liver pain in more detail.

Aching pain in the liver area

Aching pain in the liver area can occur in several cases. It can be caused by overeating, consuming excessive amounts of fatty or spicy food, or it can be caused by physical exertion. The likelihood of the latter symptom increases if a person has eaten a large meal before exercising or running. In this case, aching pain and a squeezing sensation in the liver area can occur.

Such pain is not caused by liver disease. It is just that under loads, venous blood accumulates in the liver, which leads to a sharp increase in the size of this organ and is expressed by pain syndrome. In this case, no treatment is required and the aching pain in the liver area will go away on its own if you simply give the body a rest and normalize the blood supply processes.

[ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Sharp pain in the liver area

If a person feels sharp pain in the liver area, they should immediately contact a doctor. Such pain may indicate injury to the liver or other organs, such as the kidney, pancreas, or gallbladder. Sharp pain can begin if a gallstone has moved and blocked the ducts. In this case, bile accumulates and can even lead to a rupture of the gallbladder and bile entering the abdominal cavity.

In any case, you cannot diagnose the causes of sharp pain in the liver area on your own. Also, you cannot use painkillers, but you must immediately seek help from a doctor.

Acute pain in the liver area

Acute pain in the liver area may be a symptom of acute cholecystitis. Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder wall. It is during the acute course of this disease that acute pain in the liver area may occur.

Also, such a symptom is likely with liver cirrhosis. Especially if cirrhosis is caused by alcohol poisoning or drug overdose.

In addition, acute pain can also occur with malignant liver tumors. Although in this case, the occurrence of acute pain will be preceded by a long-term aching pain syndrome, which gradually increases in intensity.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]

Severe pain in the liver area

Severe pain in the liver area can occur due to sudden physical stress on the body, as well as due to injuries to the liver or other organs in the area of the right rib, or due to acute diseases.

Such pain may begin with biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, acute hepatitis and other diseases. Therefore, if acute pain in the liver occurs, you should immediately seek medical help. The patient may need not only medication, but also surgical treatment.

Dull pain in the liver area

A dull pain in the liver area may occur with a number of chronic liver diseases or other organs. In pregnant women, such pain in the right hypochondrium may be caused by the displacement of the abdominal organs under the pressure of the growing fetus.

Dull pain can be a consequence of poor nutrition or constant alcohol abuse. Such pain in the liver area can occur with liver cirrhosis, it can be caused by chronic cholecystitis or chronic hepatitis or even a disease of the right lung. As a rule, such pain is also chronic, that is, it is constantly present and increases in intensity.

[ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Aching pain in the liver area

A nagging pain in the liver area may be expressed as a squeezing or heaviness sensation in the right side. A person may feel that the liver suddenly has little space, which leads to a feeling of discomfort and causes a nagging pain. Such pain may be caused by biliary dyskinesia. It may also occur during intense physical exertion, when the liver "swells" from excess venous blood.

Again, this type of pain in the liver area can occur with a number of chronic diseases of the organs located in the right hypochondrium. Often, this pain is not caused by disorders of the liver itself.

[ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ]

Stabbing pain in the liver area

There are many reasons that can cause stabbing pain in the liver area. Such pain may indicate not only acute liver diseases or disorders, but also acute disorders in other organs. Stabbing pain in the liver area can even be caused by an attack of appendicitis, a disease of the right lung or a myocardial infarction. Therefore, if you feel stabbing or sharp pain under the right rib, you need to see a doctor without delay. It is important to remember that a correct diagnosis will only be possible if you do not take painkillers.

Diagnosis of pain in the liver area

Diagnosis of pain in the liver area is not an easy task. It requires contacting a good specialist. Such pains should never be "let alone". Even if the pain in the liver area is not severe, but is chronic, that is, it constantly occurs, you need to consult a specialist.

Which doctor should you contact if you have pain in the liver area? Depending on the nature of the pain, you can contact a gastroenterologist, a surgeon, an infectious disease specialist, or even an oncologist.

Diagnosis of pain in the liver area begins with palpation. The doctor must feel the abdominal area, determine the nature of the pain and check the size of the abdominal organs. The patient may then be referred for an ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the liver, pancreas or other abdominal organs.

You should also take a blood test, do a blood biochemistry. Such an analysis can show various abnormalities in the liver or its obesity. You should also take a blood test for hepatitis, because different types of hepatitis can cause pain in the liver. When diagnosing pain in the right hypochondrium, you should also undergo fibrogastroscopy, which will exclude a stomach ulcer or other gastrointestinal diseases that can be expressed by such a symptom.

[ 16 ], [ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ]

Treatment of pain in the liver area

It is worth noting that self-treatment of pain in the liver area rarely leads to the desired results. At least because you are unlikely to be able to correctly diagnose the causes of such pain on your own. Therefore, pain in the liver area is best treated by following the instructions of a specialist.

Regime and diet

Whatever the etiology of pain in the liver area, a person needs to follow a regimen and diet for successful treatment. It is important to understand what goal you are pursuing by following a certain regimen or diet. Such means alone cannot always restore the affected organ, but they can greatly contribute to the restoration of the liver and make the treatment process more effective.

Particular attention should be paid to the consumption of such key nutritional elements as proteins, fats and carbohydrates. With the right diet, their intake will be balanced. Everyone knows that one should not abuse fatty foods if you have problems with the liver or other organs that cause pain in the right hypochondrium. However, you cannot completely exclude fats from your diet.

It is recommended to consume both vegetable and animal fats, but not more than 100 grams per day. The rule is 70 to 30, which means that only 30 percent of fats should be of vegetable origin, and the rest - animal.

Carbohydrates should also not be excluded from the diet when treating pain in the liver area. At the same time, it is better to consume natural sweets, such as honey or molasses, rather than sugar. In addition, cereals can be an excellent source of carbohydrates. But it is important to remember that an increased carbohydrate content in the diet can lead to fatty liver and significantly slow down its treatment and recovery.

Another rule of the diet is the way of cooking food. It is best to eat boiled, baked or stewed food. If there is pain in the liver area, you should avoid fried, pickled, and sometimes raw food.

Eating fiber, which is found in plant-based foods, namely cereals, vegetables and fruits, also helps to increase the effectiveness of treating pain under the right rib. Fiber improves digestion, removes excess substances and improves the absorption of nutrients from foods.

And, of course, you need to exclude a number of products from your diet. Alcohol, carbonated drinks, fatty meat or game, coffee, canned food, smoked foods, pickled products, and so on are prohibited.

In addition to diet, the regime is also important. It may include fractional meals. If there is pain in the liver area, then overeating should be avoided. It is better to eat small portions, but often. You should not eat immediately before bedtime.

It is also worth avoiding excessive physical activity, as it causes a rush of blood to the liver and an increase in its size, which can only increase the pain in the liver area.

[ 20 ]

Drug treatment

Taking medications for treating liver pain directly depends on the cause of such pain. These medications should be prescribed by a doctor, because self-medication can lead to worsening of the condition.

So, let's look at some of the causes and types of treatment if there is pain in the liver area.

Treatment of cholecystitis

In the treatment of chronic cholecystitis, both choleretic herbs and a number of choleretic drugs are mainly used. Cholenim is one of such choleretic drugs. It should be taken 1-3 times a day, 1 tablet at a time. It should always be taken after meals. This drug normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and improves the outflow of bile from the gallbladder. You need to be careful when using it, because it can cause allergic reactions.

In addition to choleretic drugs, symptomatic treatment is also prescribed for cholecystitis, because this disease can cause severe pain in the liver area. It can be relieved by taking a drug such as No-Spa. The recommended dose per day is from one to three tablets of 40 mg each.

Treatment of liver cirrhosis

It should be noted that such treatment is carried out only in hospital. Here are some drugs used in its treatment: Karsil.

This drug promotes the fastest recovery of the liver, binds the destructive action of toxins and free radicals. It is created on the basis of natural medicinal herbs. Take it three times a day, 4 pills. Usually, this drug is well tolerated and has no side effects.

Hepatoprotectors are also prescribed. They help the liver recover and protect it from further damage.

Treatment of hepatitis

Treatment of hepatitis, if it causes pain in the liver area, depends directly on the type of hepatitis. All hepatitis is an infectious disease, which means it is caused by the hepatitis virus. For treatment, drugs such as Amiksin are used. It stimulates the production of interferon in the body. And interferon kills the virus.

The dosage depends on the type of hepatitis and the stage of treatment. Sometimes the drug is taken only once a week, and sometimes up to twice a day. Side effects of the drug may include allergy and dyspepsia.

Karsil is also used to treat hepatitis, as it promotes faster restoration of liver tissue. This drug was mentioned above.

And, of course, any treatment of a person with liver pain must be accompanied by adherence to a diet and regimen.

Physiotherapy

If there is pain in the liver area, then reduced physical activity is prescribed. But this does not mean that the patient should stay in bed. On the contrary, low mobility can lead to blood stagnation in the liver area and worsen the patient's condition. Therefore, gentle exercises are prescribed. Such physiotherapy may include gentle loads and exercises to improve blood circulation in the abdominal cavity. It may also include a number of breathing exercises.

These exercises strengthen the diaphragm, and good diaphragm tone directly affects the good functioning of the liver and other organs located in the right hypochondrium.

You can walk, take a walk in the fresh air, but it is better to choose a flat area for walking, do not run or jump, do not overcome obstacles. Physiotherapy can also include thermal procedures, warming up the area of the right hypochondrium with therapeutic lamps or other devices, which relieves pain in the liver area.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment for pain in the liver area is mainly used for malignant tumors or stones in the bile ducts. Such treatment can also be used for injuries and ruptures of the liver or other organs located in the area of the right rib.

Usually, surgical intervention is required when there is acute pain in the liver area, indicating serious disorders in this organ. Sometimes such intervention is urgently required by the patient to save his life.

Treatment of pain in the liver area with folk methods

In some cases, pain in the liver area can be cured with folk remedies. Although here it is necessary to first establish the exact cause of this pain. Here are some recipes that can be used at home to relieve pain in the liver area.

External compresses:

Sometimes pain in the liver area is caused by spasms in this organ. These spasms can be relieved with warming compresses. The compress is placed on the area of the right rib and a bandage is applied on top. Cotton wool or gauze can be moistened with the juices of medicinal herbs. For example, you can use the juice of grape shoots or purslane. You can also apply bandages with camphor oil.

There are many medicinal plants that improve liver function and help relieve pain in the liver area. You can use a mixture of calendula, nettle, corn silk, thistle and immortelle flowers. Take these herbs in equal parts, brew and infuse in 500 ml of boiling water. Leave overnight. The dose for one dose is 3/4 cup three times a day before meals.

An infusion of corn silk is excellent for both liver and gallbladder disease. They need to be collected well-ripened, that is, they should be brown, not green. They are brewed and infused 1 teaspoon per glass of water and consumed instead of tea 3 times a day, several sips.

Treatment at home

It is possible to treat pain in the liver area at home, unless it is an acute form of liver disease or other organs. Chronic cholecystitis, pancreatic diseases and other disorders are usually treated at home.

In the treatment, you can use both drugs and traditional medicine. They should always be supplemented by diet and regimen. You can also use therapeutic exercises, compresses, warming up and other physiotherapy methods to treat pain in the liver area at home.

Prevention of pain in the liver area

Prevention of pain in the liver area primarily includes a healthy lifestyle. This means proper nutrition, moderate physical activity, which prevents blood stagnation in the liver area. Stagnation can lead to the development of various diseases and cause pain in the liver area.

In addition, prevention includes abstaining from excessive alcohol consumption. After all, a healthy liver can easily cope with a small amount of alcohol that enters it occasionally. But a diseased organ can be seriously damaged by even one glass.

The correct regime and the absence of excessive stress also serve as an excellent prevention of pain in the liver area. It is necessary to avoid both passivity and excessive loads, which can provoke pain in the liver area. As well as stress, mental overload or depression.