Liver pain can be caused by gallstones, digestive disorders, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and more serious ailments like liver cancer or cirrhosis. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, and severe pain should be investigated by a medical professional. Jaundice is a common symptom of liver disease.
There is a wide range of things that can cause liver pain, although the most common are gallstones, digestive disorders, hepatitis and fatty liver disease. Occasionally more serious ailments, such as liver cancer or extreme liver cirrhosis, may be to blame. Toxic overload can also lead to pain, although this is difficult to diagnose and can be confused with other conditions. Additionally, there are other medical issues that can lead to pain that don’t directly involve the liver.
The most common causes of liver pain are benign and many are completely treatable. Most liver-related pain is located on the right side of the abdomen just below the rib cage. Shooting, aching, or sharp pains are not normal, although they can sometimes occur. Most commonly, liver pain presents as a dull ache in the right side of the body. Sometimes the back can also be affected.
Liver pain is often caused by gallstones or a buildup of fat within the organ itself. These conditions may be related to a high fat diet. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle are also more susceptible. Digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome can also manifest as liver pain, although the root causes of such ailments often have little to do with the liver itself.
More serious medical conditions can also lead to liver pain. These can include cirrhosis of the liver, various forms of hepatitis and cancer. Many times these diseases do not present with pain until the diseases have progressed further. Additional symptoms, such as jaundice and indigestion, may also be evident.
Treatment for liver pain will depend on the underlying cause. Fatty liver often resolves on its own when lifestyle and dietary changes are encountered. Irritable bowel syndrome can be managed with medication. Gallstones, which are relatively common, can sometimes be managed with dietary restrictions and medications, although surgery is sometimes required.
Any severe pain should be investigated by a qualified medical professional. Sometimes pain that comes directly from the liver is difficult to distinguish from other abdominal pain. Additional symptoms are usually present with severe liver disease, so these are often a clearer indicator of a serious medical condition than pain alone. Jaundice is one of the most common symptoms of liver disease.
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