The liver plays an important role in the functioning of the human body. It carries out the process of neutralizing toxic substances, purifies the blood from dangerous compounds. In addition, this body is responsible for the production of bile, which is involved in the processing of lipids, stimulates intestinal activity. In its tissues, the accumulation of minerals and vitamins necessary for health occurs. How to understand that the liver hurts? Signs of pathologies are considered in the article.
Slow reaction
One of the most common signals indicating an ailment is pain. The liver is a special organ. It lacks nerve endings. Therefore, by the time signs of pathology appear, the tissues are already significantly damaged. As a result of untimely diagnosis, the disease is difficult to treat and has a devastating effect on health. How then to find out that the liver hurts? Signs indicating the presence of pathology are not necessarily associated with physical discomfort. They represent external changes and a general deterioration.
Disease hazard
According to statistics, about two hundred million people on the planet suffer from impaired liver function. Pathologies of this organ are included in the list of ten main causes of death. Mortality in hepatitis is equivalent to tuberculosis and HIV infection. What factors contribute to the development of ailments? Often, pathologies appear as a result of exposure to viruses or intoxication (most often with alcoholic beverages). Chronic disorders of the organ lead to the complete degeneration of its tissues and cirrhosis.
Some believe that impaired liver function is characteristic of people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, have addictions, and eat poorly.
But such ailments are often diagnosed in athletes who use toxic steroid medications and products for special nutrition.
What factors contribute to the development of pathologies?
Liver function may be affected by the following reasons:
- Abuse of alcohol.
- Inactivity, poor diet.
- Exposure to parasites, bacteria and viruses.
- The effect of various toxic compounds.
- Genetic abnormalities.
Liver function plays an important role. It performs many different functions. Any pathological changes pose a threat to the whole organism. How to find out when the liver hurts? Signs and symptoms of pathologies include a feeling of discomfort, deterioration of overall well-being, disruptions in the digestion process, as well as a change in appearance (skin, hair).
Types of discomfort
Specialists divide pain in the liver into two types: functional and organic. The first pathology is usually due to external circumstances that provoke violations. These reasons include the following:
- Intoxication with alcohol.
- Eating a lot of fatty, fried or spicy foods.
- Overwork.
- Poisoning by poor-quality food, harmful chemical compounds.
- Drug intoxication.
- Stressful situations (acute or chronic).
If the liver hurts as a result of these reasons, the signs of pathology are usually mild and inconsistent. They appear periodically, as a result of exposure to adverse conditions. Functional disorders are quite easy to treat.
Organic lesions include pathologies that cause changes in the structure and activity of the liver. These include:
- Cirrhosis.
- Cysts
- Neoplasms.
- Inflammatory processes of an acute and chronic nature.
- Abscesses.
- Cancerous tumors.
- Fatty hepatosis.
Characteristic features of discomfort
It is known that there are no pain receptors inside the liver. They are available only in a membrane of fibrous tissue that lines the surface of the organ. When it increases, there is pressure on this coating, and the person feels unwell. Where does a person sore liver? A sign of pathologies of this body is discomfort in the right hypochondrium. Moreover, discomforts of an acute nature are considered a symptom of cholelithiasis or other ailments of the gallbladder and its ducts.
In violation of the liver, a person complains of dull pain.
Often patients notice a feeling of pressure and tension. It is associated with an increase in organ volume. However, in some cases, the discomfort is so vague that a person is not able to determine its clear localization. If the patient realizes that the liver hurts by signs, where do they give unpleasant sensations? Often they occur in the right shoulder blade, back, abdominal cavity and even the neck. The discomfort associated with the disorders of the body has a characteristic feature - it intensifies after eating fatty, spicy, fried foods and drinking alcohol. Unpleasant sensations are accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth, impaired bowel function, belching. It should be added that the signs of liver pathologies can be easily confused with the symptoms of other ailments.
Initial manifestations
Often, patients notice weakness and increased fatigue. Of course, these symptoms can occur after an illness, against the background of disturbances in the activity of the myocardium, blood vessels, stomach, intestines. They are often the result of a respiratory infection. Any disturbance in the body causes a feeling of weakness. And it can be difficult for a patient to determine which illness provokes fatigue. How to understand where a person’s liver hurts? Signs indicating a breakdown in her work include discomfort under her right rib, which is accompanied by constant fatigue.
Fatigue is not related to lifestyle. A person sleeps well, does not suffer from serious illnesses, but he feels a breakdown. If there is such a symptom, you should consult a doctor and check the condition of the liver. Fatigue occurs in case of intoxication, the accumulation of harmful compounds in body tissues.
Digestive problems
Dyspepsia (an upset stomach and intestines) is observed in liver pathologies. It is accompanied by unstable stools, alternating diarrhea and constipation, a feeling of nausea, bouts of vomiting. The patient's taste sensations are distorted, appetite decreases, a bitter taste in the oral cavity occurs in the morning and after eating.
Distinctive signs of hepatic colic
This condition develops in the event of complete or partial blockage of the bile duct. It is accompanied by discomfort of a cutting nature, which is localized in the right side. Chronic ailments appear differently. If the liver hurts, the signs of the disease and symptoms of pathologies associated with inflammation and swelling are expressed in unpleasant sensations of tension or pressure. In some patients, they radiate to the collarbone or lumbar spine. This is due to structural features and the nature of the pathology. For symptoms indicating hepatic colic, you must call an ambulance. Acute pain may indicate the presence of calculi in the bile ducts. A patient with this condition should be hospitalized.
Jaundice
A change in the color of the skin is a characteristic sign of liver pathology. This is due to the fact that this body is involved in the transport of bile and the exchange of bilirubin. Jaundice may be infectious or mechanical in nature. In the first case, it is associated with exposure to microbes. In the second - with hereditary or acquired pathologies, mechanical damage or neoplasms, ailments of the biliary tract.
How to find out when the liver hurts? A sign indicating malfunctioning of the body is a change in the appearance of the patient. The skin, sclera of the eyes and nail plates become yellowish. If this symptom occurs, experts recommend taking an analysis for the bilirubin content in the blood.
If its level is elevated, the person has a liver pathology.
Other external changes
The skin is a mirror of the health of the body. Any ailments are reflected in the state of the epidermis. A disease in which the liver does not filter toxic substances that enter the body is accompanied by external changes. After all, the skin begins to take on part of the functions of the organ. The epidermal cells are not designed to excrete toxic compounds. Therefore, their condition begins to worsen. How to understand if the liver hurts? What signs indicate the presence of pathology? The violation of the body is evidenced by:
- The appearance of a vascular pattern in the form of stars on the surface of the cheeks, back and other parts of the body.
- The appearance of spots on the skin. They usually have a brown or bronze hue. Formed on the surface of the palms and armpits.
- Pale skin color. It testifies not only about anemia. Sometimes this symptom indicates the presence of hepatitis or cirrhosis. Pallor occurs as a result of other reasons (heredity, lack of vitamins). However, when combining this symptom with other manifestations of liver ailments, you should consult a doctor.
- Hematomas on the surface of the body. They arise due to the fragility of blood vessels.
- Yellowish plaques on the elbows, feet, eyelids.
- Redness of the palms and soles.
- Loss of a lot of hair. With impaired liver function, an imbalance of hormones is observed. The fact is that this organ is involved in the production of insulin and removes excess estrogen from body cells. Pathologies affect the condition of the hair, provoking their loss.
- Itching of the skin.
Uncharacteristic manifestations
Unusual signs indicate organ dysfunction. When a liver hurts in an adult, he notices a violation of the reproductive system. Representatives of the weaker sex have malfunctions in the cycle of menstruation. They are caused by a hormonal disorder. Men suffer from sexual dysfunctions. They have a deterioration in erection, impotence. Acne is also a characteristic sign. When an adult's liver hurts, a hormonal imbalance provokes acne.
What to do if you have symptoms?
In the case of severe discomfort under the right rib, you can take a tablet of Drotaverin or another drug that eliminates cramping. However, you should not refuse to visit a doctor. Only a specialist is able to determine the cause of discomfort. If the liver hurts, signs of pathology are present, it is necessary to undergo an examination. Timely diagnosis and therapy will help to avoid complications.
The doctor usually prescribes the patient laboratory tests of biological material, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. To exclude other pathologies (pneumonia, gall bladder, renal colic), the doctor may recommend a chest CT scan, consultations of other specialists.
If the discomfort under the right rib is accompanied by temperature, you should call an ambulance.
Proper diet
So, if the patient is confident that the liver hurts for signs and symptoms, treatment with folk remedies and diet is very important. Such measures can improve a person’s condition. Some foods have beneficial effects on the functioning of the body. Other types of food should be avoided. So, with liver pathologies, you must completely exclude:
- Alcohol-containing drinks.
- Greasy and fried foods.
- Semi-finished products, fast food.
- Dishes with a lot of artificial additives.
- Sparkling water.
- Coffee.
- Strongly brewed tea.
- Sauces, seasonings.
If a person suspects that his liver hurts due to signs and symptoms, a diet to improve the condition of the organ should include:
- Yesterday's bread.
- Dried plums.
- Watermelons
- Black radish.
- Low-fat marine fish (boiled or steamed).
- Beetroot.
- Low-fat cottage cheese.
- Pumpkin (baked, stewed).
- Black olives.
- A rosehip drink.
- Honey.
Other principles
How does the liver hurt? The first signs of pathologies include discomfort and digestive disorders. An improper diet contributes to increased severity under the rib on the right, the appearance of bitterness in the oral cavity, belching, problems with stools and nausea. To avoid these symptoms, you must adhere to these recommendations:
- Acquire only unprocessed foods (for example, buy a piece of beef pulp, not minced meat).
- Cook yourself, do not use convenience foods, store sauces.
- Refuse margarine and other artificial fats.
- Replace granulated sugar with honey.
- Cook dairy products at home. Products sold in stores contain harmful substances.
- Give preference to lipids of plant origin (for example, sunflower oil).
- Do not abuse carbohydrates.
- Drink at least three liters of fluid per day.
- Eat food 1-2 days after its preparation.
Herbal preparations
If the liver hurts, signs and symptoms in the treatment of folk remedies, as a rule, become less pronounced. To restore the normal functioning of the body using:
- Black radish juice. To prepare the product, 10 tubers of the plant are required. They are cleaned, washed and ground in a meat grinder. Juice should be kept in a cool place. In the first days of treatment, use 1 small spoonful of the drug one hour after eating. Then gradually increase the dose. The maximum amount of drink should reach 100 grams. Sometimes treatment is accompanied by abdominal discomfort. But this side effect soon passes.
- A decoction of knotweed, calendula flowers, corn stigmas and horsetail helps to reduce pain. Dry raw materials are mixed. A large spoonful of the product is combined with two glasses of boiling water. Put on fire, cook for two minutes. Leave to brew. Then the broth needs to be filtered. This should be done 40 minutes after preparation. The tool is consumed half an hour before a meal. The duration of therapy is three weeks.
How to prevent the development of pathologies?
If the liver hurts, signs (discomfort, change in skin tone, digestive disorders) begin to appear when the ailment is serious. To avoid such problems, you need to remember about prevention. You should abandon addictions, play sports, adhere to a healthy diet and personal hygiene rules, consult a doctor in case of discomfort. In order to prevent infection with hepatitis, you need to get vaccinated.
If the liver hurts, how can I treat the signs of pathology? Today there are many effective drugs. For example, hepatoprotectors that protect the cells of an organ and contribute to the normalization of its activity.