An enlarged liver can throw the body into an inflammatory state, causing different types of pain.
 |
| Liver scarring can cause pain in a person's right shoulder (Image: Getty) |
Liver cirrhosis is often described as "end stage" fatty liver disease because the organ can no longer function properly. This happens when healthy liver tissue becomes progressively replaced with scar tissue, a process that cannot be reversed. As the organ stops working properly, people start noticing pain in their neck, shoulders and joints.
Cleveland Clinic warns that cirrhosis can become increasingly painful as the condition worsens.
"Pain is reported by up to 82 percent of people who have cirrhosis and more than half of these individuals say their pain is long-lasting (chronic)," explains the health body.
Most people with the condition experience this pain in the upper right portion of their abdomen under their ribs.
The pain, however, can come both from the diseases that lead to cirrhosis and/or cirrhosis can make the pain from existing diseases worse.
READ MORE: Nation's favourite foods could raise your risk of liver disease
Because the disease throws the body into an inflammatory state it may also exacerbate pre-existing issues.
"Inflammation and your body's reaction to inflammation can cause general pain," explains Cleveland Clinic.
When in an inflammatory state, a person's osteoarthritis may become increasingly apparent.
Though pain is typically described in the abdomen, cirrhosis patients also complain of pain in the back, shoulders, and neck.
Cancer Research confirms that a swollen and enlarged liver can cause pain in a person's right shoulder.
"This is because the enlarged liver stimulates nerves that connect to nerves in the shoulders. This is called a referred pain," says the health body.
Joint pain, medically known as arthralgia, is another common problem that can present with or without arthritis.
In fact, there is a variety of different liver diseases that co-exist with arthralgia (joint pain) and arthritis.
READ MORE: Five warning signs of potentially 'life-threatening' liver scarring
Often, diffuse joint pain is described in patients suffering acute hepatitis that may mimic other rheumatic diseases.
"Approximately 50 percent of patients with hepatitis B and C have joint pain associated with cryoglobulinemia," explains the Rheumatology Advisor.
In one case report, the Liver Doctor described the case of a patient named Hana who experienced pain specifically in her right wrist.
"Hana initially thought it was due to all the computer work she does, but when both wrists became painful and swollen she decided to see her doctor," explained the Liver Doctor.
How long does it take for fatty liver symptoms to appear?
Though fatty liver disease symptoms can appear in the short timeframe of five years, in most cases they'll emerge between 20 and 30 years after the condition has been diagnosed.
One can prevent these complications by adhering to certain dietary rules and reducing their body weight if they are overweight.
Additionally, a person should aim to do at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week to keep their liver in good health.
"If you're trying to lose weight, you might find that exercise is helpful," notes the Mayo Clinic.
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1751398/fatty-liver-disease-symptoms-pain
