The liver is the largest organ in the human body. It’s about the size of a football and it’s situated on the right side of the abdomen, just beneath the rib cage. The liver is also responsible for several vital functions; in fact, it does more than 500 essential jobs.
Since it does so many important jobs, nature has ensured that the liver can sustain itself. It’s the only visceral organ in the human body that can regenerate itself. However, despite its ability to repair itself, the liver can still become damaged. Excessive drug and alcohol use, fatty liver disease, and hepatitis C are just some of the things that can cause liver damage.
If this organ becomes damaged and that damage is severe, liver disease and liver failure can occur. It’s important to be aware of the signs of liver damage so that you can receive prompt medical treatment.
1. Abdominal aches and pains
If you start to experience any unexplained pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen, it could be a sign that you are suffering from liver damage. The pain can range. It could feel like a dull ache that comes and goes, or it could come on suddenly and out of nowhere and feel like a sharp, stabbing pain. Though the liver does take up a large portion of the abdominal cavity, the largest part is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen.
If this organ is damaged, it could become inflamed, and the inflammation could lead to pain. Damage could be the result of excessive alcohol use, taking too many medications (particularly medications that contain acetaminophen), fatty liver disease, or hepatitis C. If you are experiencing any unexplained pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen, seek immediate medical care.
