Liver pain can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from excessive alcohol consumption to serious diseases, such as liver cancer. In light of these considerations, you should first try some simple remedies to fix the problem. If the pain does not decrease or increase, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. With proper care you will be able to relieve it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating Mild Pain in the Home
Step 1. Drink lots of warm water
In some cases, liver pain can be relieved by hydrating the body. Warm water stimulates the liver to function better by effectively eliminating toxins. It is helpful to increase your water intake especially if the pain is caused by dehydration associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
You should consume 2-3 liters of water per day to keep yourself healthy. Don't hesitate if you have liver pain and you find that you haven't drunk much
Step 2. Relieve the pressure on the liver
If it hurts, you can relieve the pain by taking another position. By stretching or stretching your body, you will be able to reduce the physical pressure on this organ and, consequently, calm the pain.
It is only a temporary solution
Step 3. Avoid fatty, fried and processed foods
They can fuel the pain because they force the liver to work harder than it should. One of the functions of this organ is to use and transform fats, therefore by increasing its consumption, there is the risk that it will become inflamed further.
On the other hand, consider some foods that promote liver function, including citrus fruits and cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts. They definitely don't relieve pain instantly, but they do promote liver health
Step 4. Eat less sugar
Too much sugar can impair liver function or worsen some liver conditions, such as fatty liver. If you're looking to improve the health of this organ or reduce pain, avoid foods high in sugar or other refined carbohydrates, including sodas, candy, ice cream, and bottled sauces.
Step 5. Don't take over-the-counter pain relievers
Although often the first impulse is to take a pain reliever when we're sick, it's not a good idea if you have liver pain. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can aggravate the disorder rather than relieve it, because they are rather heavy drugs for this organ.
Paracetamol, in particular, can cause liver damage if taken in excessive doses. If you can't do without it, take it following the directions for the dosage, or even less
Step 6. Cut down on alcohol consumption
If your liver hurts from drinking too much alcohol, eliminating it can help relieve the pain. In this way, you will allow the liver to recover from an overload and restore its normal function.
- If you drink more than 45ml per day, you risk developing alcoholic liver disease.
- Some liver problems caused by alcohol can only be reversed by stopping drinking. For example, fatty liver disease and hepatomegaly resolve within 6 weeks if alcohol is permanently given up. However, it is not possible to recover from more serious liver diseases related to alcoholism, such as cirrhosis, simply by abstaining.
Step 7. Try some natural remedies
There are treatments that can relieve the liver, but they are not scientifically proven. They pose no risk when used correctly, but there is certainly no guarantee of effectiveness.
- For example, you can try natural supplements formulated to promote liver health. Usually, they are based on milk thistle, dandelion root and schizandra, but they also contain vitamins B, C and E.
- If you have liver disease or have been diagnosed with another liver problem, do not take any natural remedies without first consulting your doctor.
Part 2 of 3: Getting Medical Treatment for Liver Pain
Step 1. See your doctor if pain persists
You should ask for his parry even if it is mild. He will ask you what symptoms you feel and will proceed with the examination. Physical examination includes assessment of basic vital signs and a check to confirm the presence of inflammation.
- Women over the age of 40 should be examined to rule out gallbladder problems. If you are overweight, the risk is higher.
- Go to the emergency room immediately if the pain is severe and is accompanied by nausea, lightheadedness, or hallucinations. These symptoms could indicate a dangerous medical condition.
Step 2. Get tested for the liver
If your doctor suspects a liver problem, they may order a variety of diagnostic tests, including liver function tests and ultrasound scans.
If preliminary tests reveal a problem, you may have a liver biopsy to examine the organ's cells
Step 3. See your doctor about how you can manage your pain
If it is persistent, do not hesitate to discuss the solutions that allow you to eliminate or reduce it. Your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever that has no liver contraindications and give you advice on relieving the pain through lifestyle changes.
- Chances are that, to get the problem under control, you will need to take medications and improve the quality of your life, either by losing weight or following a particular diet.
- Your doctor may prescribe an over-the-counter pain reliever. Be sure to follow his advice regarding dosage, as the liver can become fatigued if you exceed the recommended doses.
Step 4. Follow therapy to cure the main disease
If liver pain is related to a particular condition, treat yourself to relieve it. Follow your doctor's instructions and keep him informed of the evolution of your health conditions.
Therapy varies according to the cause of the pain. If you have a minor illness, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, you can only treat it by improving your diet and lowering your cholesterol. More serious pathologies, such as liver cancer, require more important and invasive treatments, such as liver transplantation
Part 3 of 3: Identifying Liver Pain
Step 1. Find out if you feel pain when touching your upper abdomen
The liver is located in the upper abdomen, below the lungs and above the stomach. If you feel pain in that area, it could be from this organ.
Step 2. Notice if you have diffuse dull pain on the right side of the abdomen
Since the liver is located on the right side of the body, it is likely that the pain will be more acute in this part. If it is more generalized, it could come from another organ.
Step 3. Be aware of related conditions
There are several diseases that cause liver pain. If your abdomen hurts and you have any of the following, the pain is likely to come from the liver:
- Hepatitis;
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;
- Diseases of the gallbladder;
- Cirrhosis;
- Reye's Syndrome;
- Hemochromatosis;
- Liver cancer.
