Patient's question:
Long-term discomfort in the upper right abdomen, a feeling of stuffiness, bloating, and dull pain, occasional belching, passing foul gas, and foul burping, which becomes more uncomfortable when lying down. It feels like there is a lot of gas in the abdomen, which cannot be expelled after turning and twisting. When the body is twisted into a proper posture, gas is released from the stomach. Liver function tests show elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) within the normal range. Ultrasound tests show no abnormalities. Gastroscopy examination suggests bile reflux gastritis, but the medication prescribed for the condition has been ineffective. At one point, symptoms improved significantly after taking Chinese herbal medicine for liver health and Qi regulation. However, the symptoms have returned.Doctor's answer:
The liver and stomach both belong to the digestive system. Therefore, when they are affected by diseases, they often exhibit similar symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between them. The symptoms you mentioned fall into this category. These symptoms can occur in cases of stomach disease as well as liver disease. It is recommended that you rest properly for half a month, avoid alcohol, stay away from staying up late, do not overexert yourself, and refrain from intense physical exercise. Maintain a positive mood, and then have your liver function checked. This will reveal the truth. If your liver function remains abnormal, it suggests that you may have liver disease on the basis of bile reflux gastritis. If your liver function is normal, it means you do not have liver disease. The focus should still be on treating your stomach disease.