The liver plays an important role in the functioning of the human body. It carries out the process of neutralizing toxic substances, cleanses the blood of dangerous compounds. In addition, this organ is responsible for the production of bile, which is involved in the processing of lipids, stimulates the activity of the intestines. In its tissues there is an accumulation of minerals and vitamins necessary for he alth. How to understand that the liver hurts? Signs of pathologies are discussed in the article.
Delayed response
One of the most common signs of illness 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 he alth. How, then, to find out what hurts the liver?Signs indicating the presence of pathology are not necessarily associated with physical discomfort. They represent external changes and general deterioration.
Danger of disease
According to statistics, about two hundred million people on the planet suffer from liver disorders. Pathologies of this organ are included in the list of ten main causes of death. Hepatitis is comparable in mortality to tuberculosis and HIV infection. What factors contribute to the development of diseases? Often, pathologies appear as a result of exposure to viruses or intoxication (most often with alcoholic beverages). Chronic disorders of the organ lead to complete degeneration of its tissues and cirrhosis.
Some believe that liver dysfunction is characteristic of people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, have addictions, and eat poorly.
But such ailments are often diagnosed in athletes using toxic steroid medications and speci alty foods.
What factors contribute to the development of pathologies?
Liver function can be affected by the following reasons:
- Alcohol abuse.
- Inactivity, wrong diet.
- Exposure to parasites, bacteria and viruses.
- Influence of various toxic compounds.
- Genetic anomalies.
The liver plays an important role. It performs many different functions. Any pathological changes pose a threat tothe whole organism. How to know when the liver hurts? Signs and symptoms of pathologies include a feeling of discomfort, deterioration in general well-being, malfunctions in the digestive process, as well as changes in appearance (skin, hair).
Types of discomfort
Specialists divide pain in the liver into two types: functional and organic. The first pathology is usually explained by external circumstances that provoke violations. These reasons include:
- Alcohol intoxication.
- Eating a lot of fatty, fried or spicy foods.
- Overwork.
- Poisoning with low-quality food, harmful chemical compounds.
- Drug intoxication.
- Stressful situations (acute or chronic).
If as a result of these reasons a person has a liver ache, the signs of pathology are usually mild and inconsistent. They appear periodically, as a result of exposure to adverse conditions. Functional disorders are fairly easy to treat.
Organic lesions include pathologies that cause changes in the structure and activity of the liver. These include:
- Cirrhosis.
- Cys.
- Neoplasms.
- Inflammatory processes of acute and chronic nature.
- Abscesses.
- Cancerous tumors.
- Fatty hepatosis.
Characteristics of discomfort
It is known thatthere are no pain receptors inside the liver. They are present only in a shell of fibrous tissue that lines the surface of the organ. With its increase, there is pressure on this coating, and the person feels unwell. Where does the human liver hurt? A sign of the pathologies of this organ is discomfort in the right hypochondrium. Moreover, acute discomfort is considered a symptom of cholelithiasis or other ailments of the gallbladder and its ducts.
When the liver functions are disturbed, a person complains of dull pain.
Often, patients notice a feeling of pressure and tension. It is associated with an increase in the volume of the body. However, in some cases, the discomfort is so vague that a person is not able to determine its clear localization. If the patient suspects that the liver hurts by signs, where do they give discomfort? Often they occur in the right shoulder blade, back, abdomen and even neck. Discomfort associated with disorders of the organ 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, and 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, and intestines. They oftenare the result of a respiratory infection. Any disturbance in the body causes a feeling of weakness. And it can be difficult for the patient to determine which ailment provokes fatigue. How to understand where a person's liver hurts? Signs that indicate a breakdown in her work include discomfort under the right rib, which is accompanied by constant fatigue.
Fatigue has nothing to do with lifestyle. A person sleeps well, does not suffer from serious illnesses, but feels a breakdown. If you have 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.
Failures in the process of digestion
Dyspepsia (a disorder of the 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, there is a bitter taste in the oral cavity in the morning and after eating food.
Distinguishing signs of hepatic colic
This condition develops in case 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 illness manifests itself in a different way. If the liver hurts, the signs of the disease and the 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 orlumbar spine. This is due to the structural features and nature of the pathology. With symptoms indicating the presence of hepatic colic, it is necessary to call an ambulance service. Acute pain may indicate the presence of stones in the bile ducts. A patient with this condition should be hospitalized.
Jaundice
Change in the color of the skin is a characteristic sign of liver pathology. This is due to the fact that this organ is involved in the processes of transporting bile and bilirubin metabolism. 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, diseases of the biliary tract.
How to know when the liver hurts? A sign indicating a malfunction of the organ is a change in the appearance of the patient. The skin, sclera of the eyes and nail plates acquire a yellowish color. If this symptom occurs, experts recommend taking an analysis for the content of bilirubin in the blood.
If its level is elevated, a person has liver pathology.
Other external changes
The skin is a mirror of the body's he alth. Any ailments affect the condition 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 over part of the functions of the body. The cells of the epidermis are not designed to remove poisonousconnections. Therefore, their condition begins to deteriorate. How to understand if the liver hurts? What signs indicate the presence of pathology? Violation of the work of the body indicates:
- 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 tint. Formed on the surface of the palms and armpits.
- Pale skin coloration. It testifies not only to anemia. Sometimes such a symptom indicates the presence of hepatitis or cirrhosis. Pallor also occurs as a result of other causes (heredity, lack of vitamins). However, if this symptom is combined with other manifestations of liver disease, you should consult a doctor.
- Hematomas on the surface of the body. They arise due to the fragility of the vessels.
- Yellowish plaques on elbows, feet, eyelids.
- Redness of the palms and soles.
- Loss of a lot of hair. With violations of the liver, an imbalance of hormones is observed. The fact is that this organ is involved in the production of insulin and removes excess estrogen from the cells of the body. Pathologies affect the condition of the hair, causing hair loss.
- Itching of the skin.
Uncharacteristic manifestations
Unusual signs point to the disorder of organ functions. When the liver hurts in an adult, he notices a violation of the reproductive system. Representatives of the weaker sex experience disruptions in the cycle of menstruation. They are caused by a hormonal disorder. Men suffersexual dysfunctions. They have a deterioration in erection, impotence. Acne is also a characteristic symptom. When the liver hurts in an adult, hormonal imbalance provokes acne.
What to do if you have symptoms?
In case of severe discomfort under the right rib, you can take a tablet of "Drotaverine" or another drug that eliminates spasms. However, to refuse to visit a doctor is still not worth it. 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 to the patient laboratory tests of biological material, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. To rule out other pathologies (inflammation of the lungs, gallbladder, renal colic), the doctor may recommend a CT scan of the chest, consultations of other specialists.
If discomfort under the right rib is accompanied by fever, call an ambulance.
Proper diet
So, if the patient is sure that the liver hurts by signs and symptoms, treatment with folk remedies and diet is very important. Such measures can improve the human condition. Some products have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body. Other types of food should be avoided. So, with liver pathologies, you need to completely exclude:
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Fatty and fried foods.
- Semi-finished products, fast food.
- Dishes withlots of artificial additives.
- Soda water.
- Coffee.
- Strongly brewed tea.
- Sauces, seasonings.
If a person suspects he has liver pain based on the signs and symptoms, a diet to improve the condition of the organ should include:
- Yesterday's bread.
- Dried plums.
- Watermelons.
- Black radish.
- Low-fat sea fish (boiled or steamed).
- Beets.
- Low-fat cottage cheese.
- Pumpkin (baked, stewed).
- Olives, olives.
- Drink made from rose hips.
- Med.
Other principles
How does the liver hurt? The first signs of pathologies include discomfort and disturbances in the digestive process. The wrong diet contributes to increased heaviness 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 need to follow these recommendations:
- Purchase only unprocessed foods (e.g. buy beef cut instead of ground beef).
- Cook your own, do not use convenience foods, store-bought sauces.
- Give up margarine and other artificial fats.
- Replace granulated sugar with honey.
- Cook fermented milk products at home. Products sold in stores contain harmful substances.
- Favour plant based lipids (eg sunflower oil).
- Do not abusecarbohydrates.
- Drink at least three liters of fluid per day.
- Eat the food 1-2 days after cooking.
Herbal preparations
If the liver hurts, the signs and symptoms of folk remedies tend to be less pronounced. To restore the normal functioning of the body use:
- 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 cold place. In the first days of treatment, use 1 small spoon of the drug one hour after eating. Then gradually increase the dose. The maximum amount of drink should reach 100 grams. Sometimes the treatment is accompanied by abdominal discomfort. But this side effect wears off soon.
- 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 insist. Then the broth must be filtered. This should be done 40 minutes after preparation. The drug is taken half an hour before meals. The duration of therapy is three weeks.
How to prevent the development of pathologies?
If the liver hurts, the symptoms (discomfort, change in skin tone, indigestion) begin to appear when the ailment is serious. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to remember about prevention. You should give up bad habits, play sports, adhere toa he althy diet and personal hygiene rules, consult a doctor in a timely manner in case of malaise. To prevent getting hepatitis, you need to get vaccinated.
If the liver hurts, how to treat signs of pathology? Today there are many effective drugs. For example, hepatoprotectors that protect the cells of the body and contribute to the normalization of its activity.
