Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Mild Pain At The Bottom Of Right Lung?
Posted on
Thu, 19 Feb 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 18 Feb 2015
Answered on
Mon, 16 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I am 74 and have been a heavy drinker for decades. I had a liver function blood test about 1 year ago. the doctor said results were fine. I was surprised.
I had a PE post op 8 years ago and have often had mild pain at the bottom of my right lung which I have put down as some sort of scarring,
However it has been a bit more constant and having gone on line I am concerned it could be liver related and not the lung scarring. Whats your thoughts
I had a PE post op 8 years ago and have often had mild pain at the bottom of my right lung which I have put down as some sort of scarring,
However it has been a bit more constant and having gone on line I am concerned it could be liver related and not the lung scarring. Whats your thoughts
Brief Answer:
Liver pain is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I could not possibly know the reason of your pain. I can make some thoughts though.
Liver pain may only happen when the liver's capsule is suddenly distended because of bleeding etc. Sometimes the liver may also be painful in inflammatory conditions (like hepatitis). Alcoholic liver disease may cause tenderness when palpated but no real pain is expected.
"Scars" in the lungs is not something that I can understand as a cause of pain. What caused the scars? Can you provide more details about it? Any radiological tests?
Liver enzymes may be elevated or not. After drinking cessation enzymes may return to normal after at least 4 weeks.
The pain could also be of musculoskeletal origin. Can you please describe the area of the pain in detail? When do you feel it? Is there anything that makes it worse or better? Does it have anything to do with food intake?
Pain in the liver area may be much more commonly caused by gall bladder problems. It usually happens 1-2 hours after eating particularly if the fat content of the food was high. It may last anywhere from minutes to one hour. If it lasts for more then it's either of another origin or it is cholecystitis and is not supposed to go away without medical help.
I'll be waiting for your input.
Liver pain is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I could not possibly know the reason of your pain. I can make some thoughts though.
Liver pain may only happen when the liver's capsule is suddenly distended because of bleeding etc. Sometimes the liver may also be painful in inflammatory conditions (like hepatitis). Alcoholic liver disease may cause tenderness when palpated but no real pain is expected.
"Scars" in the lungs is not something that I can understand as a cause of pain. What caused the scars? Can you provide more details about it? Any radiological tests?
Liver enzymes may be elevated or not. After drinking cessation enzymes may return to normal after at least 4 weeks.
The pain could also be of musculoskeletal origin. Can you please describe the area of the pain in detail? When do you feel it? Is there anything that makes it worse or better? Does it have anything to do with food intake?
Pain in the liver area may be much more commonly caused by gall bladder problems. It usually happens 1-2 hours after eating particularly if the fat content of the food was high. It may last anywhere from minutes to one hour. If it lasts for more then it's either of another origin or it is cholecystitis and is not supposed to go away without medical help.
I'll be waiting for your input.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Something I forgot to mention was that after a CAT scan 6 years ago I was diagnosed with a cyst on my liver, no action required.
The other thing I should have mentioned was that I have almost constant burping.
The lung problem was caused by a blood clot post prostate surgery and I do get irritation at the site of the clot ie right hand side lower rib.
The other thing I should have mentioned was that I have almost constant burping.
The lung problem was caused by a blood clot post prostate surgery and I do get irritation at the site of the clot ie right hand side lower rib.
Brief Answer:
A peripheral blood clot in the lungs may cause discomfort
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a clot in a small vessel in the lungs may cause discomfort which usually follows respiratory movements. Usually such clots are absorbed after some time particularly if they are small but I cannot exclude a permanent damage that may cause discomfort.
Burping may be compatible with the gall bladder problems that I've mentioned.
The liver cyst - particularly if it was small - is no reason for pain or worries. Such cysts may however - sometimes - bleed and cause discomfort with the mechanism that I've explained in my previous answer.
An ultrasound scan of the liver and gall bladder may be helpful to confirm or exclude some diagnoses.
If your transaminases and bilirubin levels were normal during the pain then the gall bladder scenario becomes less likely.
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again using your follow-up questions, if you want to ask for clarifications.
Kind Regards!
A peripheral blood clot in the lungs may cause discomfort
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a clot in a small vessel in the lungs may cause discomfort which usually follows respiratory movements. Usually such clots are absorbed after some time particularly if they are small but I cannot exclude a permanent damage that may cause discomfort.
Burping may be compatible with the gall bladder problems that I've mentioned.
The liver cyst - particularly if it was small - is no reason for pain or worries. Such cysts may however - sometimes - bleed and cause discomfort with the mechanism that I've explained in my previous answer.
An ultrasound scan of the liver and gall bladder may be helpful to confirm or exclude some diagnoses.
If your transaminases and bilirubin levels were normal during the pain then the gall bladder scenario becomes less likely.
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again using your follow-up questions, if you want to ask for clarifications.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
