‘I quit drinking for 17 days, but my liver still hurts. Why?’

An individual shared on Quora that they had abstained from alcohol for 17 days, yet still experienced pain in the region of their liver. The query raised concerns on whether this continued discomfort meant the liver was still damaged or if it was part of the healing process. The answer, however, is complex. Pain in the upper right abdomen does not necessarily indicate liver issues, nor does it provide a definitive answer about the liver's recovery.

Dr Ameet Mandot, Director of Hepatology at Gleneagles Hospital Parel, explained that the liver has minimal pain-sensing nerves, and what people perceive as liver pain could actually stem from surrounding tissues or organs like the gallbladder, stomach, and intestines. Muscle strain can also lead to similar discomfort. Additionally, alcohol-related inflammation or an enlarged liver can cause upper right abdominal pain, as can other conditions such as acidity, gastritis, gallstones, or muscle strain.

However, liver-related issues can also cause pain or heaviness, especially when the liver enlarges and stretches its outer layer. This can occur with inflammation, fatty liver, alcohol-related liver disease, or other liver problems. Importantly, pain alone cannot determine whether the liver is healing or worsening, and persistent symptoms should not be self-diagnosed as ongoing liver damage or as a sign of liver detoxification.