Patient's question:
A colleague has recently experienced poor appetite, fatigue, nausea, dry vomiting, weight loss, and dull pain in the liver area or upper right abdomen. Alanine aminotransferase levels often persistently or repeatedly decline, similar to alcoholic fatty liver. How is it treated?Doctor's answer:
Dietary Therapy: For alcoholic fatty liver, abstinence from alcohol and maintaining stable nutritional status are the fundamental treatments. Prohibition of alcohol and correction of malnutrition can lead to the resolution of most fatty liver cases within 1 to 6 weeks, although some may take 4 months or longer. The diet should primarily consist of high-calorie, high-protein (less than 60g per day of normal protein intake), and sufficient digestive vitamins. Insufficient protein intake can force the body to synthesize fat, contributing to fatty liver.For obesity-related fatty liver, the focus is on weight loss. Weight reduction can stabilize diabetes and hyperlipidemia associated with obesity, as well as resolve fatty liver. Dietary therapy and exercise are the foundation for weight loss. Losing 10% of body weight can normalize elevated liver enzymes caused by fatty liver. However, weight loss methods should be implemented under medical guidance, particularly for patients with diabetes, heart and kidney diseases, or significant liver damage.