Liver Pain in Sawbridgeworth

Liver pain is usually felt as a dull ache in your upper right abdomen. It may be caused by infections, alcohol use, medication side effects, or long-term conditions like fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, or cancer. Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes and medication adjustments to advanced procedures, depending on the cause. You should always seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

What does the liver do?

Your liver is a powerhouse organ that quietly works every day to keep you healthy. Though often overlooked, it performs hundreds of critical tasks that affect nearly every system in your body.

Key functions of your liver include:

• Digesting food - your liver produces enzymes that help break down food and release nutrients.

• Producing and storing energy - it converts carbohydrates into glycogen, storing energy for when your body needs it, and releases glucose for instant fuel.

• Storing essential nutrients - vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, along with iron and other nutrients, are stored in your liver to ensure a steady supply.

• Fighting infections - as part of your immune system, your liver helps protect against harmful bacteria and viruses entering through your digestive tract.

• Detoxifying the blood - working alongside your kidneys, your liver filters toxins and waste products, removing them from your body.

• Supporting healing – your liver produces clotting proteins that stop bleeding when you’re injured and aids in tissue repair.

What does liver pain feel like?

Your liver itself does not have pain receptors, so discomfort comes from irritation or inflammation of the tissues around it. This makes liver pain harder to pinpoint and easy to confuse with other abdominal issues. 

Liver pain often feels like:

• A dull ache or throbbing pain in your upper right abdomen, near your stomach.

• Generalised abdominal discomfort rather than sharp, localised pain.

• Referred pain that may spread to your right shoulder or back.

What liver pain can be mistaken for

Because your liver sits close to other organs, its pain can overlap with:

• Stomach problems - nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite may mimic stomach disorders.

• Gallbladder pain - gallstones or infection cause sharp, sudden pain that can radiate to your chest or back that is often confused with liver pain.

• Kidney issues - infections or stones cause deep flank or back pain, sometimes with urinary symptoms.

• Musculoskeletal pain - referred liver pain in your right shoulder can feel like a pulled muscle, but unlike an injury, it doesn’t worsen with movement.

As liver pain is generalised and easily mistaken for other conditions, only a doctor can confirm whether discomfort is truly liver-related. It’s important to get an early medical evaluation, as liver disease can progress silently until advanced stages.

What causes liver pain?    

Liver pain has many possible causes. It can be a sign of problems in your liver or nearby organs. 

Common causes include:

• Hepatitis – inflammation from viruses, alcohol, or medicines

• Cirrhosis – scarring and long-term liver damage

• Fatty liver disease – excess fat in liver cells

• Excessive alcohol use – damaging your liver over time

• Liver cancer – may cause pain or a lump under your ribs

• Bile duct blockage – deep aching pain with jaundice or dark urine

• Liver abscess or cysts – infection or fluid-filled sacs causing discomfort

• Inherited conditions – such as hemochromatosis (iron buildup) or Wilson’s disease (copper buildup)

• Blood vessel problems – like Budd-Chiari syndrome or portal vein thrombosis

• Injury or trauma – damage from accidents or blows to your abdomen.

What can increase the risk of liver issues?

Several lifestyle choices and health factors can raise your risk of developing liver problems. These include:

• Excessive alcohol use – heavy or long-term drinking can damage liver cells and lead to conditions such as cirrhosis.

• Sharing needles or unsafe injections – increases your risk of hepatitis and other infections that harm your liver.

• Unhealthy diet and lack of exercise – can contribute to obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

• Taking too many medications – overuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs can strain your liver.

• Exposure to toxins – certain chemicals and environmental pollutants can injure your liver tissue.

• Viral infections – hepatitis B and C are major causes of liver inflammation and long-term damage.

• Family history or genetic conditions – inherited disorders such as hemochromatosis (iron overload) or Wilson’s disease (copper buildup) increase your risk.

What’s the difference between liver damage and liver disease?

Understanding the difference between liver damage and liver disease is essential so you can recognise early warning signs, seek timely treatment, and prevent serious complications. These two conditions are interconnected, often progressing through stages that range from mild and reversible to chronic and life-threatening. Recognising this progression early can make a crucial difference in protecting your health.

• Liver damage usually refers to short-term or temporary harm to the liver. It may be caused by alcohol, infections, medications, or toxins. In many cases, this damage can be reversed if the cause is managed or treated quickly and effectively.

• Liver disease is a long-term or progressive condition. Over time, repeated or untreated damage leads to scarring (fibrosis or cirrhosis) and permanent impairment of liver function. Liver disease often requires ongoing medical care and, in severe cases, can result in liver failure.

What are the signs of liver issues?

Liver problems can show up in different ways, and the signs often depend on whether your liver is temporarily damaged, affected by long-term disease, or impacted by cancer.

Signs of liver damage 

• Mild pain or discomfort in your upper right abdomen

• Fatigue or feeling unusually tired

• Difficulty concentrating or memory problems (brain fog)

• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

• Nausea or general digestive upset

• Yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice)

Signs of liver disease

• Persistent fatigue and weakness

• Swollen abdomen (ascites) due to fluid build-up

• Easy bruising or bleeding (including bleeding varices in severe cases)

• Itchy skin and muscle cramps

• Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)

• Confusion, mood changes, or sleep problems (encephalopathy)

• Black, tarry stools or vomiting blood (serious sign needing urgent care)

Signs of liver cancer

• Discomfort or pain in your upper right abdomen

• A hard lump under your ribs on the right side

• Swollen abdomen (ascites)

• Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss

• Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)

• Shoulder or back pain (referred pain)

• General weakness and fatigue

How is liver pain diagnosed?

If you experience persistent pain in your upper right abdomen, it’s important to consult a doctor. Because liver pain can be mistaken for stomach, gallbladder, or kidney problems, a thorough evaluation helps identify the true cause.

What your doctor may do:

• Discuss your medical and family history – including alcohol use, medications, viral infections, or genetic conditions.

• A physical examination – checking for tenderness, swelling, or signs of jaundice.

• Blood tests (Liver Function Tests) – measure enzymes and proteins to assess how well your liver is working.

• Ultrasound scan – uses sound waves to detect swelling, cysts, or abnormal growths.

• MRI or CT scan – provides detailed images of your liver and surrounding structures to spot blockages, tumours, or scarring.

• Liver biopsy – a small tissue sample is taken to check for inflammation, scarring, or cancer.

• Other specialised tests – such as elastography (to measure stiffness/scarring) or endoscopy if complications are suspected.

How is liver pain treated?

Treatment for liver pain depends on the underlying cause. Because liver pain can signal anything from short-term damage to long-term disease, your doctor will tailor care to your specific needs.

Short-term or mild liver pain

• Lifestyle changes – adopting a healthier diet and regular exercise can reduce strain on your liver.

• Limiting alcohol – avoiding alcohol helps your liver recover from temporary damage.

• Medication review – your doctor may adjust or stop medicines that stress your liver. Drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin can harm your liver, so alternatives may be recommended.

Liver disease or chronic conditions

• Liver function monitoring – regular blood tests and scans to track progression.

• Medications – prescribed to manage hepatitis, reduce inflammation, or treat complications.

• Liver dialysis – in advanced cases, dialysis may be used to filter toxins when your liver cannot.

• Liver transplant – for severe or end-stage disease, transplant surgery may be the only option.

When should you see a doctor if you have liver pain?

Many people don’t notice symptoms in the early stages of liver disease. If you are worried about your liver, it is always best to speak to your doctor. You should seek medical advice if you have persistent or recurrent pain in the upper right side of your abdomen or if you notice other signs of liver disease such as fatigue, jaundice, or unexplained weight loss.

When to seek urgent care

Liver pain can sometimes be severe and require emergency medical attention. Go to A&E or dial 999 if you experience:

• A feeling that you cannot get enough air when breathing

• Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools

• Feeling unusually confused or finding it hard to stay awake

• Fainting or confusion

• High fever with jaundice

• Sudden, severe liver pain or pain that spreads to your back or shoulder.

Liver Pain Treatment at Ramsay Health Care

At Ramsay Health Care, patients benefit from the expertise of highly trained consultants and access to advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities. Our teams specialise in identifying the underlying causes of liver pain and tailoring care to each individual. They offer lifestyle guidance and medication management to complex procedures such as liver dialysis or transplant referral.

Choosing Ramsay means choosing trusted care, modern facilities, and personalised support every step of the way.

Contact us to speak to our friendly enquiry team to book an appointment today, you can also search for availability and book online to discuss your symptoms with one of our specialists and take the first step towards protecting your liver health.

Liver Pain FAQs