You likely won't notice an enlarged liver on your own. In some severe cases, you might notice a feeling of bloating or fullness in your belly, or an ache in your upper right abdomen, where your liver is. It's more likely your healthcare provider will discover it during an exam.
Pain in your liver itself can feel like a dull throbbing pain or a stabbing sensation in your right upper abdomen just under your ribs. General abdominal pain and discomfort can also be related to swelling from fluid retention and enlargement of your spleen and liver caused by cirrhosis.
Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that lasts one to two weeks.It is believed to lead to alcoholic cirrhosis over a period of years.
The top right side of your abdomen may be tender. Your doctor may be able to feel that your liver is enlarged. Usually, you'll also have fever and chills.
The lower edge of the liver normally comes just to the lower edge of the ribs on the right side. The edge of the liver is normally thin and firm. It cannot be felt with the fingertips below the edge of the ribs, except when you take a deep breath. It may be enlarged if a health care provider can feel it in this area.
Hepatomegaly Treatment
If you have a lot of fat in your liver or drink too much alcohol, these lifestyle changes may help: Lose weight. Cut back on how much you drink. Eat a healthy diet.
A blood sample is tested to determine liver enzyme levels and identify viruses that can cause enlarged liver. Imaging tests. Imaging tests include CT scan, ultrasound or MRI . Magnetic resonance elastography uses sound waves to create a visual map (elastogram) of the stiffness of liver tissue.
Liver inflammation occurs when there is damage to liver cells. “Hepatitis” is the term for liver inflammation. Some forms of liver inflammation produce mild symptoms and resolve on their own. Others can be serious or life threatening.
Is mild hepatomegaly dangerous? The extent to which a slightly enlarged liver is dangerous depends on the reason for the enlargement. For people with NAFLD, a slightly enlarged liver is unlikely to pose a major threat to health.
Hepatomegaly is enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size. Certain conditions such as infection, parasites, tumors, anemias, toxic states, storage diseases, heart failure, congenital heart disease, and metabolic disturbances may all cause an enlarged liver.
The major causes of liver inflammation are hepatitis, alcohol abuse, poor nutrition, obesity, and diabetes.
Elevated liver enzymes may be a sign that a person's liver is not working properly. Damaged or inflamed liver cells release enzymes into the bloodstream, which a blood test will detect. Doctors test people for elevated liver enzymes if they have symptoms of conditions that typically cause liver damage.
Fried/fast foods that are high in fat and sugar are extremely harmful for liver health. In addition, consumption of high-salt foods can lead to fluid-buildup and swelling in the liver.
If liver damage is the cause of elevated liver enzymes, you may have symptoms such as: Abdominal (stomach) pain. Dark urine (pee). Fatigue (feeling tired).
Fatty fish
Fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are the good fats that help reduce inflammation. These fats may be especially helpful in the liver, as they appear to prevent the buildup of excess fats and maintain enzyme levels in the liver.
As the liver becomes more severely damaged, more obvious and serious symptoms can develop, such as: yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice) swelling in the legs, ankles and feet caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema) swelling in your abdomen caused by a build-up of fluid known as ascites.
Liver pain is sometimes confused with a pain in the right shoulder, or in the abdomen, or the kidney. Many liver diseases and other organ conditions can cause liver pain. Some of these can lead to liver damage. Without treatment, the liver may eventually stop functioning.
The increased pressure in the veins can make them swell so they might be seen under the surface of your abdomen. Ascites can also develop when the liver isn't making enough blood protein (albumin). A swollen abdomen might cause discomfort or pain, and a loss of appetite or feeling full quickly.
Stress is connected to high levels of cortisol, which, in turn, is connected to liver damage. NKT (Natural Killer Cells) expand in the liver during periods of stress and these kill liver cells, making liver conditions worse.
Your treatment options depend upon the underlying disorders that cause your liver enlargement. Some of the treatments your doctor will recommend may include: medications and treatments for liver failure or infections like hepatitis C. chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation for liver cancer.