Can the liver hurt? What does liver pain feel like?

Feb 27, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhou Chao

Introduction

The liver itself does not feel pain; however, pain arises when pathogenic factors stimulate the structures surrounding the liver. The sensation of pain may include dull ache, throbbing pain, or distension. Fatty liver or alcoholic liver disease caused by non-infectious factors can lead to a vague, dull pain in the right upper abdomen. Liver abscesses due to bacterial infection or viral hepatitis caused by viral infection result in right upper abdominal pain, primarily presenting as a dull, throbbing pain. Liver cirrhosis may cause recurrent feelings of distension and pain in the right upper abdomen.

The liver itself usually does not cause pain; however, discomfort or pain may arise when pathological factors stimulate the liver. The sensations typically include dull pain, aching pain, and distending pain.

1. Dull Pain

If non-infectious conditions such as fatty liver or alcoholic liver disease are present, patients may experience dull pain in the upper right abdomen during the course of illness, manifesting either intermittently or continuously.

2. Aching Pain

Liver abscesses caused by bacterial infection or viral hepatitis due to viral infection may both lead to pain in the upper right abdomen, primarily presenting as aching pain, which sometimes radiates to the right shoulder and back.

3. Distending Pain

Patients with liver cirrhosis often suffer from recurrent distending pain in the upper right abdomen, accompanied by symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, and abdominal bloating.

In addition, conditions such as liver cancer may also cause sharp or stabbing pain. Any discomfort in the liver area should prompt timely medical evaluation at a hospital.

Can the liver hurt? What does liver pain feel like?

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