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Digestive Health
Question #12071
45 days ago
69

Liver pain relief - #12071

Rashi

I am really struggling with this constant pain in my upper right abdomen, under the rib cage, and it's been driving me crazy. I mean, I can barely eat without feeling like something’s seriously wrong!! This all started about two weeks ago when I downed a big burger at a BBQ, and ever since then, I don't know if it's just a coincidence or what, but I’ve been researching liver pain relief. I've tried over-the-counter pain meds but they don't help much at all. I’ve even cut back on alcohol which was hard since I usually enjoy a drink or two with friends, but I thought it might be the cause of my problems. I had a blood test done, and while the doc said my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, he brushed it off and said to just take it easy. But seriously, does anyone here have tips for liver pain relief? Like, should I be looking into things like diet changes or herbal remedies? What actually works for liver pain relief that doesn’t involve heavy medications? I just want to feel normal again and worry that this might be the start of something worse. I know I should probably see a specialist but I've been putting that off... Any advice would really help, thanks!

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Doctors’ responses

When dealing with persistent upper right abdominal pain, especially if it feels sharp or persistent, it’s essential to think of the liver, gallbladder, or an issue involving your gastrointestinal tract. Given that your liver enzymes are slightly elevated, and the timings aligning with dietary intake from the BBQ, it sounds like it could be a gallbladder issue, such as gallstones after consuming a fatty meal, which can mimic liver-related discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers often don’t help in these cases because they do not address the underlying cause. It’s excellent that you’re cutting back on alcohol, as alcohol can exacerbate liver-related issues and avoidance is generally important when your liver enzymes are elevated. For immediate relief, you could focus on maintaining a low-fat diet to see if the symptoms ease up, considering fatty foods can worsen gallbladder pain. Small, frequent meals may also help. Staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol completely for now is crucial. Herbal remedies like milk thistle are sometimes touted, but the evidence for their effectiveness is not strong, and they can interact with medications. It’s really crucial you visit a healthcare provider specializing in digestive or liver health sooner rather than later, to investigate these symptoms more thoroughly and rule out more serious conditions like cholecystitis or hepatitis. Also consider getting another set of liver function tests, if possible, to monitor changes over time. Try to get an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan too, these can provide visual confirmation if gallstones or other abnormalities are present. While modifying your diet is a practical step, prompt medical attention is vital, especially if symptoms worsen or if you experience other symptoms like jaundice, a fever, or severe pain, as these could warrant emergency assessment.

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