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How To Check For Liver Dysfunction In An Alcoholic?
Question: I have used alcohol for over thirty years, I drink about one half gallon of Rum per week, I think I have Liver problems. Is your Liver on the right side?
If I drink anything it hurts and I can not sleep on my right side, in fact it hurts so bad I can not fall asleep.
If I drink anything it hurts and I can not sleep on my right side, in fact it hurts so bad I can not fall asleep.
Brief Answer:
Blood tests and ultrasound scan abdomen to be done
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
The liver is on the right side but I suggest a detailed clinical evaluation for the pain you are experiencing. Other than the liver there is also the gall bladder which can have stones and that may cause pain on the right side. Occasionally the GERD can cause diffuse pain in the liver area.
It is important for you to get certain blood tests to assess liver functions. These are AST, ALT, Alkaline phosphate and GGT. These tests require a very small quantity of blood and are done in every clinical set up.
Apart for the blood tests I would also recommend you an ultrasound scan of the abdomen to know if your liver is really enlarged, whether there exists a possibility of alcoholic liver disease and if you are having stones in the gall bladder which are causing pain.
Please continue taking medications for blood pressure and GERD as recommended by your doctors.
Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Blood tests and ultrasound scan abdomen to be done
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
The liver is on the right side but I suggest a detailed clinical evaluation for the pain you are experiencing. Other than the liver there is also the gall bladder which can have stones and that may cause pain on the right side. Occasionally the GERD can cause diffuse pain in the liver area.
It is important for you to get certain blood tests to assess liver functions. These are AST, ALT, Alkaline phosphate and GGT. These tests require a very small quantity of blood and are done in every clinical set up.
Apart for the blood tests I would also recommend you an ultrasound scan of the abdomen to know if your liver is really enlarged, whether there exists a possibility of alcoholic liver disease and if you are having stones in the gall bladder which are causing pain.
Please continue taking medications for blood pressure and GERD as recommended by your doctors.
Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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