How to differentiate between gallbladder and liver pain?

Although liver pain and gallbladder pain can sometimes be identical, several significant differences can distinguish the two. It is important to learn how to differentiate gallbladder and liver pain and to notice when the symptoms develop to explain the pain to a healthcare provider.

Pain in your abdominal area can be difficult to diagnose and to explain, as symptoms might be similar. Additionally, some medical diseases, like pancreatitis, can produce discomfort that may resemble liver or gallbladder pain.

How to differentiate between gallbladder and liver pain?

Although liver and gallbladder discomfort can be similar, there are several significant distinctions. Pain from the gallbladder is frequently reported inside the upper right or centre abdomen, and nausea and vomiting may also be present. The chest or back may also experience radiating discomfort.

Contrarily, liver discomfort is usually felt in the upper right abdomen, close to the ribs. If you have abdominal pain, it's crucial to see a doctor so they can correctly diagnose and treat your illness.

Gall Bladder pain & symptoms

Gallbladder pain may occur anywhere. Since your gallbladder is in the upper right abdomen, you will typically experience pain there. Additionally, chest pain and pain in the upper mid-abdominal part are possible.

Referred pain of gallbladder:

Gallbladder discomfort may be referred pain. Referred severe pain is when discomfort in one portion of your system is the root cause of pain in another area. 

What are the symptoms of gallbladder pain?

Your right shoulder and back may experience severe pain from your gallbladder. The pain from your gallbladder is unlike any other abdominal ache you have ever experienced. A sudden, severe discomfort in the upper right abdomen is possible and the sensation is often described as a stabbing pain. The discomfort is significant and ongoing.

• Nausea and Vomiting: If gallstones are the source of the pain, these symptoms may also be present.
• Bloating & Gas: Along with the discomfort and nausea, there may also be bloating and gas.
• Indigestion: The discomfort could get greater after eating, particularly after a meal that is high in fat.
• Jaundice: When the gallbladder is inflamed or a gallstone is blocking the bile ducts, it can cause jaundice, which manifests as the yellowing of both the skin and eyes.
• Fever: If the gallbladder is infected, fever may develop.

Not everyone who experiences gallbladder disease will exhibit each of these symptoms, and some people may also experience other symptoms. Additionally, each person's level of symptom severity is different. For an appropriate diagnosis and course of treatment, you should speak with your doctor if you have any questions about your symptoms.

What causes gallbladder pain?

Gallstones are the major reason for gallbladder pain. Stone-like substances known as gallstones, also known as cholelithiasis, can form in your gallbladder.  According to estimates, more than one in ten persons in the UK suffer from gallstones.

Gallbladder stones

Additionally, your common bile duct, which is the major bile duct, is where gallstones can move from your gallbladder. Black pigment stones or brown pigment stones form in the gallbladder and give a common symptom of sharp pain. Less frequent and more dangerous than gallbladder stones are common bile duct stones. Your typical bile duct may become blocked if a stone leaves your gallbladder. 

While some people only have one gallstone, others may experience multiple gallstones at once. Those who have gallstone symptoms typically need gallbladder removal surgery.

Read more: Can gallstones make you tired and dizzy?

Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)

Cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation, can be brought on by gallstones. This might happen if a gallstone prevents your gallbladder from releasing bile.

Bile duct polyps

The interior of your gallbladder contains enlarged lymph nodes of tissue called gallbladder polyps. Although these polyps are often benign, they may indicate another gallbladder problem. They might result in problems including inflammation. The risk of cancer from gallbladder polyps is around 5%.

Gallbladder cancer 

A rare type of cancer called gallbladder cancer develops when cancer (malignant) cells proliferate in the gallbladder. 

Gallbladder pain relief

A warm bath or using a heating pad might assist in relaxing the muscles and lessen severe pain. Some people use a magnesium supplement to assist with emptying their gallbladder. Others recommend sipping peppermint tea to ease the pain. However, there isn't anything else you could do at home to ease the discomfort. You'll likely need medication or surgery if the pain worsens. Gallbladder surgery is carried out to treat various gallbladder disorders, especially gallstone disease. 

Liver pain & symptoms

Liver discomfort can range from dull and amorphous to intense. Sometimes, pain in the liver is mistaken for discomfort in the right shoulder, the abdomen, or the kidney.

Liver pain can be brought on by a variety of organ disorders including liver diseases. Some of these may harm the liver as the liver can eventually stop working if not treated properly or within the best timeframe.

It is essential to be conscious of liver pain and other signs that could indicate a liver illness because indications of liver disease frequently do not manifest till the condition is advanced.

Liver Pain Symptoms

Patients who encounter one of the following symptoms ought to get prompt medical attention:

• Swelling in the legs or ankles or the belly
• Rough skin
• Persistent tiredness
• Reduced appetite
• Intense discomfort, particularly in the abdomen; fever; dark urine; and pale, bloody, or tarry stools.
• Yellowish skin, rapid weight loss, and nausea
• Touching the abdomen causes excruciating agony

What causes liver pain?

Cholangitis

This drainage system experiences pressure build-up due to cholangitis. It typically means that there exists a clog or impediment in the system. Bile from the bile duct can back up into the liver and harm liver cells when bile ducts become compromised.

Stones, a tumour, blood clots, or bacterial backflow could all increase risk factors.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to liver inflammation. Chronic hepatitis, which is brought on by hepatitis B, C, and D, can eventually result in cirrhosis, liver disease, and liver cancer.

Liver infection

A hepatic abscess is a compartment of pus-filled infectious fluid that develops within the liver. The abscess may develop as a result of infection with specific germs, including bacteria, parasites, or fungi.

An abscess may cause harm to adjacent tissue, bleeding, secondary infections, or even death.

Diagnosis & Treatment: 

Finding the underlying issue that is causing the liver pain is crucial. A medical professional will conduct a physical check-up and review the patient's medical background.

Read more: Signs that your liver is not functioning properly.

Testing alternatives could include:

Liver function tests via blood tests determine particular liver issues or hereditary diseases or determine liver function

Hepatic damage can be detected via imaging tests including CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds. Another option is liver tissue analysis, which entails removing a sample of liver tissue for testing.

Adopting some lifestyle adjustments, such as giving up alcohol, lowering weight, or adhering to a healthy diet such as avoiding fatty foods & excess cholesterol, would aid liver pain to go away. Other issues can call for treatment with drugs or surgery. If the liver is failing, a transplant may be required.

Read more: The best diet for a healthy liver.

Bottom Line: 

It might be difficult to distinguish between liver pain and gallbladder pain because the two conditions can have similar symptoms and overlap. Usually, the pain in the upper right or middle quadrant of an abdomen will indicate gallbladder pain. The upper right quadrant of the abdomen is often where liver pain is felt, on the other hand. It is significant to remember that these classifications are not always precise and that some symptoms may occur in both the liver and the gallbladder.

To determine the health of your liver, order a Welzo Liver Health Blood Test.