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What causes liver pain on right side?
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Digestive Health
Question #12314
46 days ago
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What causes liver pain on right side? - #12314

Aradhya

I am really confused about this pain I have been feeling on my right side. It started off as a dull ache, but now it’s sharper, and sometimes it gets worse after I eat, especially if I have something greasy. I even had a few nights where I felt like my whole right side was swollen or heavy?! I looked up stuff online, and I saw questions like "What causes liver pain on right side?" and wondered if that's what I'm having since it’s so concentrated there. A few days ago, I did some blood tests, and the doctor said my liver enzymes are slightly elevated, which got me thinking more about the question, "What causes liver pain on right side?" I even tried to connect it with other things like my diet and drinking habits, but it's honestly hard to pin down. Sometimes I feel a bit nauseous too, but I can't tell if that’s from anxiety about the pain or something else going on. Has anyone dealt with something similar? What should I be worried about when I think about "What causes liver pain on right side?" Should I be taking this more seriously or just wait and see what the doc says next?

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Doctors’ responses

Pain on the right side of the abdomen, especially when it’s located in the upper area, can indeed be concerning when considering the liver. However, it’s important to remember that while the liver itself doesn’t often “hurt” per se, as it doesn’t have sensory nerves, pain can still arise from conditions related to it. Common causes of discomfort in that region include liver inflammation (hepatitis), fatty liver disease, or gallbladder issues like gallstones, which you seem to be describing given the association with eating greasy foods and the reocurring nausea. Elevated liver enzymes can indicate liver inflammation or damage but aren’t specific about the exact cause, hence the elevated enzymes are a signal that requires further investigation. Given the symptoms and the tests already conducted, further tests such as imaging (like an ultrasound) may help pin down the issue. In some cases, lifestyle factors like diet or alcohol consumption can contribute to liver problems, so considering moderating these behaviors could help, albeit not as immediate a solution for acute issues. However, your symptoms could also potentially indicate other conditions that affect the upper right abdomen area, like gallbladder attacks or pancreatitis, as these areas are anatomically close. Since the symptoms have progressed from a dull ache to something sharper and more consistent, it’s advisable not to wait too long and to follow up with your healthcare provider to get to the root cause. If the pain becomes severe, or if you’re experiencing symptoms like jaundice, dark urine, or significant vomiting, seek medical attention immediately, as those could be signs of a more urgent medical issue. Regular monitoring and further tests will likely be the next appropriate steps that your doctor might suggest, and it’s critical to follow through on these suggestions to manage the situation effectively.

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