Liver Pain Symptoms

Liver is one of the most vital organs of the body. This organ is responsible for some important bodily functions like detoxification, glycogen storage, production of hormones, etc. The liver is located on the right side of the abdominal cavity and is reddish-brown in color. An average adult human liver weighs around 1.5 kilograms and is roughly triangular in shape. It is the largest glandular organ in the human body and is located on the right side of the stomach, just below the diaphragm. A healthy liver is very much necessary for a healthy life. Hence, it is not wise to ignore any symptoms associated with the organ. This article is about liver pain symptoms, causes and treatment.

Symptoms of Liver Pain

Liver pain is often confused with other types of pain in the abdomen. Usually, liver pain is experienced as a dull ache in the upper right part of the abdomen. In some cases, it could be accompanied with back pain and/or abdominal pain. The location of the pain may also vary slightly from one patient to another. However, it is difficult to distinguish liver pain from other types of abdominal pain. People tend to ignore this symptom (unless it is too grave) and this may lead to further complications. So, it is very much necessary to identify and treat liver pain at the very onset itself. The following are some of the liver pain symptoms:

• One of the most important factors regarding liver pain identification is the location. The pain is mostly experienced in the upper right side of the abdomen, underneath the rib cage.
• Usually, liver pain is felt as a dull ache, but for some people, it could be like sharp pain. The condition may be accompanied with back pain or shoulder pain in some cases.
• Other symptoms include skin rash, itching, brownish blemishes and spots over the skin. Some may develop yellow discoloration of the skin, swelling and itching of the eyes. Dark circles may also develop under the eyes.
• Excessive sweating, offensive body odor and bad breath are also among liver pain symptoms. The affected person may also have red soles and palms, which may be itchy and inflamed.

Apart from the above said, there are various other symptoms that may be associated with liver pain. Such additional symptoms may vary with the underlying cause.

1. Difficulty in breathing
2. Pain while inhaling or coughing
3. Discolored urine and pale stools
4. Fatigue and joint pain
5. Swollen testes
6. Nausea and/or diarrhea
7. Abdominal bloating
8. Unexplained weight loss

Even though, it is very rare for a person with liver pain to have all the above said symptoms, occurrence of a few symptoms could be an indication of the condition, which can be caused by various factors. In case of severe symptoms like rapid heartbeat, high fever, vomiting blood, severe liver pain and hallucinations, immediate medical attention must be provided to the affected person.

Liver Pain Causes and Treatment

Liver pain can occur due to various reasons. Most of the liver pain causes are serious and life-threatening, if not diagnosed and treated on time. One of the most common causes of liver pain is hepatitis. All forms of hepatitis B, hepatitis A and C are known to cause liver pain and jaundice. Another medical condition associated with liver pain is liver cancer, which is usually identified during the last stages. In this case, liver pain may be accompanied with fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Fatty liver (steatosis) is a condition, wherein the liver gets enlarged due to fat accumulation. It may also cause liver dysfunction and tenderness. Other liver pain causes include cirrhosis, consumption of alcohol, enlarged spleen and liver, toxic overload and other liver diseases. Whatever may be the cause, early diagnosis and liver pain treatment is necessary to prevent further complications, which could be sometimes life-threatening. Liver pain treatment may vary with the underlying medical condition. Usually, urine and blood tests are conducted to find out the exact cause of liver pain. Read more on liver pain after drinking.

Now, you know more about liver pain symptoms, which could be an indication of underlying diseases and disorders of the organ. As liver is one of the most vital organs in the body, any symptom associated with it must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.