Surviving John

The feeling of pain in the area of the liver comes to different people in different ways. Some patients feel extreme discomfort – they describe it by saying it feels like their liver is ready to explode. Others describe their pain as “just an occasional discomfort.” They feel an aching sensation when they breathe in or cough. These people who have pain in the area of the liver say they feel somewhat swollen or bloated.

There are a number of possible causes for pain in the area of the liver. It can be a problem with the liver itself, or it result from a problem with some other organ or part of the body that is related to the liver in some way. For example, there could be trouble with the gallbladder, biliary tract, or blood vessels near the liver. Pain coming from the liver itself is usually due to inflammation of some kind. Such inflammation can result from any number of reasons.

Cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure and hepatitis are several of the most serious problems that can affect your liver. There are, in fact, many different types of liver problems that can trigger liver pain.

If the pain doesn’t actually originate in the liver, it may be due to an obstruction of the biliary tract, like a stone. This type of liver pain, which is also known as biliary colic, can usually come on quickly and may last as long as several hours. Pain of this type begins in your upper middle or upper right quadrant. It may extend to your shoulder, or to the region between the shoulder blades in your upper back.

Biliary colic usually happens after you’ve eaten a large fatty meal. Other causes of pain in the area of the liver include a liver abscess and cholangitis or inflammation of the biliary duct. Sometimes, liver cysts can also cause pain in the area of the liver. Poor gallbladder health can also cause what feels like pain in the area of the liver.

Several medications are available that will help relieve pain in the area of the liver. They include:

* Drugs known as NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce pain and inflammation. Some NSAIDs require a doctor’s prescription, but you can get other forms over the counter.

* Demerol, which is also known as Meperidine.

* Morphine

Liver pain shouldn’t be ignored. Anytime you have soreness or tenderness near the bottom of your ribcage, it’s a good idea to call your doctor. Such discomfort could be the result of liver of gallbladder problems. These can be serious threats to your long term health and merit a call to your doctor.

Do you need more information on pain caused by the liver? Click on liver trouble.