Pain in the liver

Pain in the liver is a fairly common phenomenon and it can occur in the elderly, in young people and even in children. In this case, such pain can be a sign of a serious disease of the internal organs, and may arise in some normal physiological processes and not indicate any pathology.

In addition, pain in the liver region is not necessarily caused by illness or problems associated with this particular organ. It can equally be caused by irritation or disease of other organs located next to the liver.

Therefore, often a person can not independently understand the causes that cause pain in the right rib and for accurate diagnosis it is better to consult a specialist and undergo a comprehensive examination.

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Causes of pain in the liver

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

• virus diseases

Some viral diseases and ARI can cause pain in the right rib area. For example, influenza or adenovirus infection can affect the lymphatic system and liver, which leads to their increase and can be expressed in aching pain in the liver region.

• exercise stress

Such pain can appear after performing physical exercises or physical work, when the venous blood "pours" into the liver, increasing it in size.

• infestations

Invasion of parasites can also cause pain in the liver. There are some worm-parasites that reproduce and affect mainly the liver, which leads to pain in this organ.

• cirrhosis

There are several types and etymologies of cirrhosis of the liver, but any of them leads to pain symptoms in this organ.

• hepatitis

Hepatitis can be acute or chronic. In this case, the nature of the pain will be different, but any hepatitis presents itself with pain in the region of the right rib.

• alcohol

Excessive consumption of alcohol, of course, leads to pain in the liver, because it is responsible for detoxification of the body and blood.

• malnutrition

The same is true for malnutrition. Sharp, fatty foods can cause pain in the right rib area.

• diseases of other organs

Sometimes the pain in the liver can be felt due to the illness 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 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 overloads and so on.

[2], [3]

How does the pain in the liver?

Pain in the liver can be manifested in different ways. In some cases, it can be aching or drawing, but not acute pain. Or, on the contrary, it is spasmodic, it is an acute and almost unbearable pain. Often, it is by the nature of pain in the liver that you can determine the causes of its occurrence.

One of the characteristic types of pain under the right rib is spasmodic pain and sensation of squeezing and severity. Such pain can gradually increase. Another manifestation of pain is colic or sharp, stitching pain in the right hypochondrium. These spasms can be sudden and short-term, but may also occur periodically with some consistency. Let us analyze in more detail different types of pain in the liver.

Aching in the region of the liver

Aching pain in the liver can occur in several cases. It can be caused by overeating, absorption of excess amount of fatty or spicy food, or it can be caused by physical stress. The imminence of the appearance of the last symptom increases if the person has eaten well before performing physical exercises or running. In this case, there may be aching pain and a squeezing sensation in the region of the liver.

Such pain is not caused by liver disease. Just with loads in the liver, venous blood accumulates, which leads to a sharp increase in this organ in size and is expressed by pain syndrome. In this case, no treatment is required and the aching pain in the liver region will pass itself, if simply to give the body a rest and normalize the blood supply.

[4], [5]

Sharp pain in the liver

If a person feels a sharp pain in the liver, you should immediately consult a doctor. Such pain can indicate a trauma to the liver or other organs, for example, the kidney, pancreas, or gallbladder. A sharp pain can begin if the stone in the gall bladder has moved and blocked the ducts. In this case, bile accumulates and can even lead to rupture of the gallbladder and the ingress of bile into the abdominal cavity.

In any case, you can not independently diagnose the causes of severe pain in the liver. Also, do not use painkillers, but you should immediately seek help from a doctor.

Acute pain in the liver

Acute pain in the liver can be a symptom of acute cholecystitis. Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder wall. It is with the acute course of this disease, there may be acute pain in the liver.

Also, such a symptom is likely with cirrhosis of the liver. Especially if cirrhosis is caused by alcohol poisoning or an overdose of medications.

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

[6], [7], [8],

Severe pain in the liver

Severe pain in the liver can occur both due to severe physical exertion on the body, and because of injuries to the liver or other organs in the right rib region or because of acute diseases.

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

Dull pain in the liver

Dull pain in the liver can occur with a number of chronic liver diseases or other organs. In pregnant women, such pain in the right upper quadrant can be caused by the displacement of the peritoneum organs under the pressure of the growing fetus.

Dull pain can be the result of malnutrition or the constant abuse of alcohol. Such pain in the liver can occur with cirrhosis of the liver, it can cause chronic cholecystitis or chronic hepatitis or even a disease of the right lung. Typically, this pain also has a chronic character, that is, constantly present and increasing in intensity.

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Drawing pain in the liver

Drawing pain in the liver can be expressed as a squeezing or a feeling of heaviness in the right side. It may seem to a person that the liver suddenly becomes small, which leads to a feeling of discomfort and causes drawing pain. Such a pain can be caused by the dyskinesia of the bile ducts. It can also occur with strong physical exertion, when the liver "swells" from excess venous blood.

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

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

Stitching pain in the liver

There are many reasons that can cause stabbing pain in the liver area. Such pain can be indicative not only of acute diseases or violations of the liver, but also of acute violations in other organs. Stitching pain in the liver area is even caused by an attack of appendicitis, right lung disease or myocardial infarction. Therefore, if you feel stabbing or sharp pain under the right rib, you should immediately consult a doctor. At the same time, you need to remember that correct diagnosis will be possible only if you do not take painkillers.

Diagnosis of pain in the liver

Diagnosis of pain in the liver is not easy. It requires a call to a good specialist. Such pains should never be allowed to go by itself. Even if the pain in the liver is not strong, but has a chronic nature, that is, it constantly arises, you need to seek the advice of a specialist.

What kind of a doctor should be treated when there is pain in the liver? Depending on the nature of the pain, you can turn to both the gastroenterologist, the surgeon, infectiologist, or even the oncologist.

Diagnosis of pain in the liver begins with palpation. The doctor should feel the abdominal area, determine the nature of the pain and check the size of the abdominal organs. The patient can then be sent to an ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the liver, pancreas, or other peritoneal organs.

You should also take a blood test, make a blood biochemistry. Such an analysis can show different deviations in liver function or its obesity. It should also be a blood test for hepatitis, because different types of hepatitis can cause pain in the liver. When diagnosing pain in the right hypochondrium, fibroadastroscopy should also be performed, which will exclude stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal diseases, which can be expressed by a similar symptom.

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Treatment of pain in the liver

It is worth noting that self-treatment of pain in the liver rarely leads to the desired results. If only because you are unlikely to be able to properly diagnose the causes of such pain yourself. Therefore, the pain in the liver is best treated, following the instructions of a specialist.

Diet and diet

Whatever the etymology of pain in the liver, a person needs to follow a diet and regimen for successful treatment. It is important to understand what purpose you pursue, observing a certain regime or diet. By themselves, such means can not always restore the affected organ, but they can greatly contribute to the restoration of the liver and make the treatment process more effective.

Pay special attention to the use 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 in case of problems with the liver or other organs causing pain in the right hypochondrium. But still, you can not completely exclude fats from the diet.

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

Carbohydrates should also not be excluded from nutrition in the treatment of pain in the liver. In this case, it is better to use natural sweets, such as honey or molasses, and not sugar. In addition, cereals can be an excellent source of carbohydrates. But it must be remembered that an increased amount of carbohydrates in the diet can lead to obesity of the liver and significantly slow its treatment and recovery.

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

The use of fiber, which is contained in products of plant origin, namely in cereals, vegetables and fruits, also contributes to improving the effectiveness of pain treatment 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 foods from the diet. Under the prohibition of alcohol, carbonated drinks, fatty meat or game, coffee, canned food, smoked products, pickled products, and so on.

In addition to diet, the regime is also important. It can include the breakdown of meals. If there is pain in the liver, avoid eating. Food is better to take in small portions, but often. Do not eat immediately before bed.

It is also necessary to avoid unnecessary physical exertion, because they cause a rush of blood to the liver and an increase in its size, which can only increase pain in the liver.

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Medication

The admission of drugs in the treatment of pain in the liver directly depends on the cause of such pain. These medications should be prescribed by a doctor, because self-medication can lead to deterioration.

So, let's look at several reasons 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 medications are used mainly. Holenim is one of such choleretic preparations. It should be taken 1-3 times a day for 1 tablet. You should take it always after a meal. This drug normalizes the work of the digestive 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 cholagogue preparations for cholecystitis prescribe symptomatic treatment, because this disease can cause severe pain in the liver. It can be removed by taking a drug such as no-shpa. The recommended dose per day is from one to three tablets of 40 mg each.

Treatment of cirrhosis of the liver

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

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

Assign also hepatoprotectors. They help the liver to recover and protect it from further damage.

Treatment of hepatitis

Treatment of hepatitis, if it causes pain in the liver, depends directly on the type of hepatitis. All hepatitis are infectious diseases, which means they are caused by the hepatitis virus. For treatment, such drugs 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 two times a day. Adverse reactions to the drug may include allergies and dyspepsia.

Karsil is also used to treat hepatitis, because it promotes a faster recovery of liver tissue. This preparation was mentioned above.

And, of course, any treatment of a person with pain in the liver should be accompanied by a diet and regime.

Physiotherapy

If there is pain in the region of the liver, then lower physical activity is prescribed. But this does not mean that the patient must comply with bed rest. Conversely, lack of mobility can lead to stagnation of blood in the liver and worsen the patient's condition. Therefore, appoint sparing exercises. Such physiotherapy can include gentle loads and exercises to improve blood circulation in the abdominal cavity. It can also include a series of breathing exercises.

These pre-fusions strengthen the diaphragm, and a good diaphragm tone directly affects the good performance of the liver and other organs located in the right hypochondrium.

You can walk, walk in the fresh air, but here's a place to walk it is better to choose an equal, do not run and do not jump, do not overcome obstacles. Physiotherapy can also include thermal procedures, heating the right hypochondrium area with medical lamps or other devices, which relieves pain in the liver area.

Surgery

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

Usually, surgical intervention is required when there is acute pain in the area of the liver, indicative of serious abnormalities in this organ. Sometimes such an intervention is required for the patient urgently to save his life.

Treatment of pain in the liver by alternative methods

In some cases, pain in the liver can be cured by alternative means. Although here it is first necessary to establish the exact cause of this pain. Here are a few recipes that you can apply at home to relieve pain in the liver.

External compresses:

Sometimes the pain in the liver is caused by spasms in this organ. These spasms can be removed with warming compresses. The compress is placed on the right rib area and the bandage is applied from above. Wadding or gauze can be moistened with juices of medicinal herbs. For example, you can use the juice of shoots of grapes or portals of garden. You can also apply bandages with camphor oil.

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

As with liver disease, and with gallbladder disease, infusion of corn stigmas is excellent. They need to be assembled already well ripened, that is, they should be brown, not green. They brew and insist on 1 teaspoon per glass of water and use instead of tea 3 times a day for a few sips.

Home Treatment

Treat pain in the liver at home can be, if it's not about acute forms of liver disease or other organs. Usually, at home, chronic cholecystitis, pancreas and other disorders are treated.

In the treatment can be used as medicines, as well as alternative medicine. They should always be supplemented by diet and regime compliance. You can also use curative gymnastics, compresses, warming and other physiotherapy to treat pain in the liver area at home.

Prevention of pain in the liver

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

In addition, prevention includes abstinence from excessive drinking. After all, a healthy liver can easily cope with a small amount of alcohol, which comes there occasionally. But the sick body can seriously suffer even from one glass.

The correct regimen and absence of excessive stress also serves as an excellent prophylaxis of pain in the liver region. It is necessary to avoid both passivity and excessive loads, which can provoke pain in the liver. As, however, and stress, and mental overload or depression.