This article was medically reviewed by Raj Vuppalanchi, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).
There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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If you’ve got pain on the right side of your upper abdomen, you may be dealing with liver pain. While this sensation can be scary, rest assured there are plenty of ways to get relief. In this article, we’ll cover what you can do to ease the pain now, possible causes, and the best medical treatments for long-term management. Keep in mind that liver pain is relatively rare; you’ll probably only feel it if you have an underlying condition. If the pain is new, check in with your doctor as soon as you can.
Things You Should Know
- Treat your pain immediately by drinking water, lying down, and eating healthy food for the next few days. Your liver will feel better soon.
- Avoid alcohol, fatty foods, sugar, herbal supplements, and diet pills. All of these can exacerbate liver pain.
- Ask your doctor before taking OTC pain medications. Medications can be hard on your liver, so they aren't a good long-term solution.
Steps
References
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-water-should-you-drink
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7449535/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/art-20044256
- ↑ https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/stomach-pain-female/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spleen-problems-and-spleen-removal/
- ↑ https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer/symptoms
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/foods-for-a-healthy-liver/
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-sweet-danger-of-sugar
- ↑ https://www.md-health.com/Liver-Pain-Symptoms.html
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/foods-for-a-healthy-liver/
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-sweet-danger-of-sugar
- ↑ https://time.com/4758402/protein-fatty-liver-disease/
- ↑ https://gi.org/topics/medications-and-the-liver/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002123.htm
- ↑ https://gi.org/topics/medications-and-the-liver/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5497590/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-surprising-ways-alcohol-affects-health-not-just-liver/
- ↑ https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/cirrhosis/cirrhosis-alcohol.asp
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17179-liver-disease
- ↑ https://www.liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/#1503433005041-1b714e18-b29f
About This Article
If you have liver pain, you can treat it by drinking lots of warm water, which will hydrate your body and help your liver remove toxins. Natural remedies may also help with your pain, so consider taking a natural supplement like milk thistle or dandelion root. Avoid taking over-the-counter pain medications, as these can actually increase liver distress and possibly cause damage. In the future, reduce your alcohol intake and stay away from fatty, rich foods, as these can cause liver pain. Opt for foods that improve liver function, like citrus fruits or brussels sprouts. If your liver pain persists, see your doctor for professional treatment. For more help from our Medical co-author, like how to treat an illness causing your liver pain, scroll down.
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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