Associated symptoms of a swollen liver

Not infrequently, an enlargement of the liver is also accompanied by an enlargement of the spleen. This is called hepatosplenomegaly. Depending on what causes the enlargement of the liver, the possible accompanying symptoms are very variable.

In fatty liver disease, there are usually no symptoms at first. If an infection, such as hepatitis, is responsible for the increase in size of the liver, symptoms similar to a flu-like infection can occur. Prolonged fatigue, exhaustion and reduced performance can also occur.

If the liver swells as a result of heart failure, symptoms such as shortness of breath, water in the legs (edema of the lower leg) or reduced performance can also occur. Cirrhosis of the liver can result in a significantly bulging, tense abdomen due to water retention in the abdominal cavity. In the case of liver enlargement due to blood cancer, the following can occur

An increased susceptibility to infection,
Rapid appearance of bruises,
Strong night sweats ,
Weight loss,
Performance reduction and many other accompanying symptoms occur.

A swollen liver initially causes no pain because there are no pain-conducting nerve fibers in the liver itself.

Therefore, no pain signal can be transmitted from the liver to the brain. Complaints occur when the liver is so swollen that surrounding structures are affected by the swelling.A possible cause of the pain caused by a swollen liver is capsule-stretching pain. The liver is surrounded by a tissue capsule that contains pain-conducting nerve fibers.

Overstretching this capsule due to swelling of the liver can cause pain. If the liver presses on other structures in the abdominal cavity, against the diaphragm or even from the inside against the ribs due to its size, this can also cause pain. The pain is usually felt in the right upper abdomen, but cannot be localized exactly at one point.

A swollen liver can occasionally be accompanied by back pain. The reason for this is usually that the enlarged liver presses on structures that are located at the back of the abdominal cavity or in close proximity to the back of the ribcage and/or the spine. Typically, back pain is felt on the right side of the lower costal arch or just below it.

If there is an enlargement of the liver in combination with a swelling of the lymph nodes, this may be an indication of an infectious disease, such as Pfeiffer’s glandular fever. In addition, those affected often suffer from severe fatigue and fever can also occur. However, lymph node swelling can also occur together with liver enlargement in cancers such as white blood cancer.

Therefore, such a combination of symptoms, which exists over a longer period of time, should be clarified by a physician. The doctor can take blood samples, perform a physical examination and order further tests if necessary. Hepatosplenomegaly, an enlargement of the liver and spleen, can also have numerous causes.

Especially in larger children and adolescents, infection with the Epstein-Barr virus causes swelling of both organs. It is often accompanied by fatigue, exhaustion and possibly fever. This is mononucleosis, also known as mononucleosis or whistling glandular fever.

A specific therapy is usually not necessary. Malaria can also cause swelling of the spleen and liver. A special blood test can be used here to make a diagnosis.

Fever occurring in relapses is typical for most forms of malaria. The metabolic or storage diseases mentioned above, such as amyloidosis, can lead to an enlargement of the liver and spleen. If there is a blood cancer, this often leads to an enlargement of the liver and spleen. The spleen, which is not palpable in healthy people, can then be greatly enlarged. This can be palpated or detected with an ultrasound device.