How to realize that it’s your liver that hurts, not your stomach. Doctor explains

doctor of integrative medicine, therapist, infectious disease specialist at UniProf Academy of Physicians

How to distinguish liver pain from abdominal pain?

The liver works day and night to cleanse the blood, produce vital substances and maintain balance in the body. It is located in the upper right side of the abdominal region.

Liver cells recover quickly, compared to other tissues of the body, but in diseases and various intoxications they suffer more than others. Diseases of the liver may not manifest themselves for a long time, it itself “does not hurt”, as there are no nerve endings in it. But they are in the shell, which encloses the organ – in the capsule of Glisson. And only when the liver increases, which occurs due to inflammation of various types, the capsule is stretched and there is hepatic pain.

In liver disease, there is also the concept of “reflected pain”. It does not appear in the liver itself, but can be reflected in the neck or shoulders. With prolonged inflammation in the liver, the surrounding tissues, such as the peritoneum, can also be affected. In such cases, it is very difficult to understand whether the liver or the abdomen hurts.

There are several signs that will help to suggest that the problem is still in the liver.

The nature of the pain

In such diseases as chronic viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, fatty hepatosis, cirrhosis, the pain is dull, aching. It is not easy to relieve it, it takes a long and serious work with the use of drugs and lifestyle modification.

In acute conditions, such as portal vein thrombosis, abscess, suppuration of liver cysts, acute hepatitis, the pain is sharp, has a diffuse character.

“Auxiliary” symptoms

As a rule, in chronic liver disease, pain is a relatively late symptom. Much earlier appear extrahepatic manifestations: dark circles under the eyes, vascular stars, peeling and rashes on the skin, increased fatigue, lack of vigor and energy, sleep disorders.

Signs that accompany pain in acute conditions or late stages of chronic diseases: yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, sclerae of the eyes, swelling of the ankles and feet, pronounced itching of the skin, bruising.

Tests and examinations

Perhaps the most reliable methods of determining the pathology of the liver. In a biochemical blood test, attention should be paid to the increase in total protein, albumin, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphate, GGTP, LDH, total, direct and indirect bilirubin. Available instrumental method – ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.

The liver is a very “grateful” organ and quickly responds to therapy.

To reduce the risks of liver pathology will help simple recommendations:

• Avoid taking a large number of medications and nutraceuticals;
• limit alcohol consumption;
• give your body regular physical activity (even if it’s an evening walk in the park near your home);
• eat right;
• be careful when choosing dental, cosmetology clinics and other similar institutions.