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.
Pain in the Upper Right Abdomen
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.
Abdominal pain. Fatigue. Nausea and vomiting. Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Gallbladder and liver pain can feel similar. Both organs are in the upper-right quadrant of the abdomen. However, some key differences can help differentiate between the two conditions. Gallbladder pain typically occurs in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and may radiate to the right shoulder or back.
Liver pain can be dull and nonspecific, but it can also be severe. It may result in a backache. 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.
A liver blood test measures the levels of various things in your blood, like proteins, liver enzymes, and bilirubin. This can help check the health of your liver and for signs of inflammation or damage.
The pain may be throbbing or stabbing, and it can come and go. If you experience this type of pain regularly, or if the intensity of it prevents you from functioning normally, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
People with fatty liver disease often have no symptoms until the disease progresses to cirrhosis of the liver. If you do have symptoms, they may include: Abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper right side of the abdomen (belly).
Here are some of the most common signs that you may be developing liver problems. A general unwell feeling. An underperforming liver can't filter toxins out of the bloodstream, resulting in fatigue, headaches and skin problems. Frequent gassy sensation.
Stage 3: Cirrhosis
During this stage of disease, symptoms become more noticeable: pain and discomfort, fatigue, appetite loss, fluid retention, jaundice, and an itchy feeling around the liver. Those with cirrhosis are also more susceptible to developing liver cancer.
You may feel pain and tenderness in the upper right part of your belly. You may also feel pain under your right ribs, in the right side of your chest, or in your right shoulder. In some cases, you may have bruised skin over the injured area.
Stage 1 is inflammation of your liver, caused by your immune system reacting to a foreign substance, like toxins. Chronic inflammation can lead to an enlarged liver. Inflammation can result from fatty liver, hepatitis, and other causes.
A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions. Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage.
When to Call Your Doctor. If your liver pain comes on quickly, hurts too much, goes on for a long time, or keeps you from carrying on with normal activities, get it checked out. Other signs that you need medical treatment right away include: Jaundice.
The most effective treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is weight loss, which has been shown to decrease the amount of fat in the liver and the inflammation caused by the fat.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Eat a well-balanced diet every day. That's five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables, along with fiber from vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Be sure to include protein for the enzymes that help your body detox naturally.
Pain below your ribs can be caused by your GI tract, like GERD, indigestion, gallbladder disease, or constipation, or problems with your lungs, like pneumonia. You may also have nausea, bloating, chest pain, coughing, or pain that's worse when you breathe in.
You can develop an inflamed liver because of excessive consumption of alcohol. The liver can also become swollen from processing too many other toxins, such as excess amounts of acetaminophen or other supplements and medications. Cirrhosis is the formation of scar tissue on the liver because of alcoholism or hepatitis.
It is recommended to see a doctor for upper right abdominal pain, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as sudden sharp pain in the center or upper right abdomen, in the right shoulder, and in the upper back, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of skin and eyes, or fever and chills.