Why does pain in the liver area worsen at night?

Generally, worsening of liver area pain at night may be caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits, excessive fatigue, cholecystitis, hepatitis, fatty liver, or other reasons. Symptomatic management through general treatment and medication may be required. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention and undergo corresponding treatments under a doctor's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits

Long-term late-night habits and other unhealthy lifestyle behaviors can impair liver function, increasing the liver's burden during nighttime detoxification processes, thus causing liver area pain, which may be accompanied by chest tightness, fatigue, and weakness. It is recommended to adjust the sleep schedule, ensure sufficient sleep, avoid staying up late, and promote liver function recovery to alleviate liver area pain.

2. Excessive Fatigue

The liver provides energy for the body. Excessive fatigue consumes significant energy, increasing the liver’s workload and causing liver area pain, which may be accompanied by fatigue, weakness, and poor spirits. It is recommended to rest adequately, avoid overexertion, engage in moderate physical exercise, enhance immunity, and help relieve liver area pain.

3. Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is mainly caused by obstruction of the cystic duct and bacterial infection. In cholecystitis, inflammation occurs in the gallbladder wall. At night, while the body is at rest, digestive system activity decreases, but after dinner the gallbladder contracts and empties, causing increased stimulation to the inflamed area, resulting in intensified pain. Symptoms may also include right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting. It is recommended to take medications such as anti-inflammatory bile-promoting tablets, clindamycin hydrochloride tablets, and ursodeoxycholic acid tablets under a doctor's guidance for treatment.

4. Hepatitis

Hepatitis may be caused by viral or bacterial infections. When inflammation worsens at night, it may stimulate liver cell swelling, causing liver area pain, which may also be accompanied by jaundice, fatigue, and loss of appetite. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as azathioprine tablets, bicyclol tablets, and recombinant human interferon α2b injection to alleviate symptoms.

5. Fatty Liver

Fatty liver is mainly caused by long-term alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, and other factors. In fatty liver disease, liver fat content increases; during nighttime, fat metabolism activity in the liver intensifies, and fat accumulation exerts pressure on liver cells, causing increased pain. Other symptoms may include obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. It is recommended to adjust the diet, reduce intake of high-fat foods, and use medications such as chitosan capsules, bicyclol tablets, and orlistat capsules under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.

It is also recommended to adjust sleeping positions in daily life, preferably choosing right-side lying or supine positions to avoid compressing the painful liver area, reduce liver pressure, and alleviate discomfort.