Why liver causes pain on the right side? - #12467
I am feeling really worried because I’ve been having this dull pain on my right side for a while now, and I can't help but wonder why liver causes pain on the right side. At first, I thought it was just a muscle strain from exercising too hard, but the pain keeps hanging around. Friends say it might be my liver acting up, and now I'm freaking out about what that means. Last week, I went to my doctor who did some blood tests, and everything seemed normal, but I still feel this nagging ache. I've read that sometimes issues with the liver can cause pain in that area and I'm curious, why liver causes pain on the right side? Sometimes it feels more sharp, especially after I eat greasy foods, and I can't figure out if food is making it worse or if it’s something else. Is it possible that stress could be contributing to why liver causes pain on the right side? I'm just trying to make sense of all these symptoms and what could be really going on. Has anyone else dealt with this or have any insights?
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Doctors’ responses
Pain on the right side can certainly raise concerns about the liver, given its location just under the ribcage on the right side of your abdomen. Liver pain can sometimes be a symptom of various conditions, though it’s worth noting that not all right-sided abdominal pain is liver-related. Given that your blood tests were normal, we might need to consider other possibilities. Liver pain can occur if there’s inflammation (like in hepatitis), congestion, or if the liver capsule is stretched. Fatty liver disease could also cause discomfort, especially if eating grease-heavy meals makes it worse, as fatty foods can put stress on the liver function. Gallbladder issues could potentially contribute as well because it’s located near the liver and can cause right-upper-quadrant pain, often sharper and after eating fatty meals.
Sometimes, pain that seems liver-related could be muscular or related to other structures like the ribs. If stress is high, it can exacerbate or even contribute to pain perception through muscle tension or affecting digestive processes. While waiting for more definitive answers, you might mitigate some discomfort by monitoring diet (reducing fatty foods), ensuring good hydration, and perhaps focusing on stress reduction techniques. Always important is to remain in contact with your healthcare provider. If you notice additional symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes, changes in urine or stool color, or more intense pain, it’s crucial to revisit your doctor promptly, as these could indicate more pressing liver-related issues. Keep an eye on how different foods affect your pain, and share these observations with your provider as they could offer additional clues into underlying issues. Always prioritize getting an accurate diagnosis.
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