Feeling pain in the area where your liver is located can be worrying. Now, the liver itself doesn’t have nerves that sense pain, so if you’re experiencing discomfort, it’s usually because something is affecting the liver in a way that’s causing pressure or changes in the surrounding tissues. Let’s delve into some surprising reasons why your liver might be hurting

1. Liver Inflammation (Hepatitis)

One of the most common causes of liver discomfort is hepatitis, which is essentially inflammation of the liver. There are several types:

Viral Hepatitis: Hepatitis A, B, and C are viruses that can infect the liver. Hepatitis B and C can become chronic and, in fact, lead to serious issues.
Alcoholic Hepatitis: This is caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Autoimmune Hepatitis: In this case, your body’s immune system attacks liver cells, causing inflammation.

With hepatitis, you might also experience other symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, and nausea.

2. Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease occurs when fat builds up in the liver cells. It can be divided into two types:

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD): Linked to heavy drinking.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Occurs in people who drink little to no alcohol. It’s often associated with obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

While early stages might not cause pain, as the condition progresses, it can lead to discomfort.

3. Liver Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis means scarring of the liver caused by long-term damage. The scar tissue that forms can affect liver function and lead to pain. Common causes include chronic alcohol abuse, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease.

4. Liver Cancer

Liver cancer can cause pain, especially in the later stages. The growth of a tumor can stretch the liver’s capsule (a layer of tissue), causing discomfort.

5. Gallstones or Cholecystitis

Sometimes, the pain you think is coming from your liver is actually due to issues in the gallbladder, like gallstones or inflammation (cholecystitis). The gallbladder is close to the liver, so it’s easy to confuse the pain.

6. Medications or Toxins

Certain medications, supplements, and toxins can harm the liver, leading to pain. Overuse of some pain relievers, for example, can cause liver damage.

7. Congestion or Increased Pressure in the Liver

Conditions like heart failure or vascular abnormalities in the liver can lead to increased pressure and congestion in the liver, causing discomfort.

Conclusion: Talk to your physician

If you’re experiencing pain in your liver area, seeing a healthcare professional is important. They can perform tests like blood work, imaging, and sometimes a liver biopsy to determine the cause. Remember, your liver is a vital organ, and taking care of it is compulsory for your overall health.