Fatty Liver Pain
Fatty liver, often medically referred to as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is a painful liver condition characterized by liver inflammation and formation of scar tissue, which has many possible causes, including obesity, poor nutrition and certain medications, among many others.
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Features
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Fatty liver is referred to as such because it is a condition of excess fat stored in the liver (and other tissues thereafter). A normal liver metabolizes fat, but a fatty liver malfunctions, leading to fat accumulation, which causes inflammation and an increase in liver enzymes and inflammation.
Identification
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The first symptom of a fatty liver is abdominal pain, though this progressive condition will take a while to exhibit this symptom, since the fat in the liver builds up slowly over time, according to the California Pacific Medical Center. Other symptoms include fatigue and immune system weakness.
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Cause of Pain
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The pain of a fatty liver is caused by the expansion of the liver. As it expands, its membrane stretches, the organ becomes heavier, and the result is abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right abdominal area. This pain intensifies if the condition is left untreated, and gallstones form, composed of cholesterol and bile salts.
Treatment
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Treatment depends on the cause of the fatty liver disease, but may involve the removal of the chemical compound or drug that is causing fatty liver, altering fat and nutrition intake with carbohydrates and proteins, or taking supplements and medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Pain Medications
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Pain will decrease as the fat in the liver decreases and the condition becomes manageable, and therefore the typical approach is not "masking" the pain, but addressing its cause. Pain medications risk aggravating the existing liver condition.
Prevention
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A healthy low-fat diet and exercise are the best preventative methods. Avoid or minimize alcohol intake, and be certain your medications are not hepatoxic (meaning toxic to the liver). Have your doctor check your blood sugar, triglyceride and cholesterol levels regularly.
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