If your liver is hurting, it could mean one of many things. Depending on the type of pain, the intensity of the pain, and other preexisting conditions you may have, your liver pain can be a sign that a larger issue is at play. So why does your liver hurt?
When it comes to liver pain, you cannot afford to take risks. Nor can you afford to wait. Take a look at the most common causes of liver pain and available treatments that you need from your hepatologist in Los Angeles right away.
Why Does My Liver Hurt?
The type of pain you feel in your liver may determine what is causing the pain. Located just under your ribs, the liver is almost as large as a football and plays the vital role of converting food into substances you can use, as well as cleaning and filtering your blood.
It can still be hard to tell exactly where the pain is coming from and why. A sharp and sudden pain may appear in the front of your belly or on your side. Or, you might feel a dull and gradual pain that comes on just under the ribs. Some people even experience liver pain that is so great they can feel it on their shoulders. This can be the cause of inflammation or infection.
Causes of Liver Pain
What exactly causes the different types of pains and sensations in the liver? You might have recently been in an accident and suffered physical trauma. Or, you have a preexisting condition that is causing complications in the liver.
Some of the most common causes of liver pain include:
- Cirrhosis
- Gallstones
- Hemochromatosis
- Hepatitis
- Liver cancer
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Fatty liver disease
- Reye’s syndrome
Unfortunately, there are many liver diseases and conditions that can form in such a large organ, and doctors are still researching the best ways to prevent different symptoms from occurring. There are treatment options available when you schedule an appointment with your professional hepatologist in Los Angeles.
Additional Symptoms
Along with liver pain, patients also experience some of the following symptoms in tandem:
- Dark brown urine
- Itchy skin
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Lack of appetite
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the ankles and legs
If you notice any of these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor right away. This is something that must be treated ASAP.
Why Does My Liver Hurt? Treatment Options
Depending on the type of liver pain you are experiencing, immediate and long-term treatments are available. The first thing you should do is focus on the best at-home remedies that can keep your symptoms at bay while you get in touch with your gastroenterologist.
Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to help your liver filter out toxins. Do not eat heavy or fatty foods and make sure you sit up in a way that does not apply pressure to your liver. Get in touch with your doctor ASAP to schedule long-term care.
You may also have to go through some lifestyle changes as a result of your liver diagnosis. This includes a change of diet, exercise, and sleep patterns to help your body get more regulated.
Get Help with the Best Gastroenterologist Today!
At the office of Dr. Tabib, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of all liver issues. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in your liver and you don’t know what might be causing it, you should schedule an appointment right away. A colonoscopy in Los Angeles will determine the internal source of the cause so a full treatment plan can be made.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call us today and schedule an appointment for the betterment of your health and well-being.
