Patient's question:
I am 35 years old. In the past two years, I have frequently experienced abdominal pain. Various detailed examinations have shown no problems, but my body still lacks energy and has slight edema, primarily in the upper body. I also have mild fatty liver. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) says that my liver Qi is stagnant and I have phlegm dampness. Can this be treated with medication?Doctor's answer:
Fatty liver is a metabolic disease caused by the abnormal deposition of fat in the liver. Common causes include obesity, diabetes, pregnancy, and alcohol consumption. The key to treating fatty liver is to remove the triggers, adjust the dietary structure, avoid greasy foods and eat more vegetables and fruits, engage in appropriate exercise, and control weight. As for the medication for fatty liver, whether it is traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine treatment, the key is to improve lipid metabolism and stabilize the liver cell membrane. Chinese herbal formulas primarily focus on soothing the liver, promoting bile flow, strengthening the spleen, resolving dampness, and eliminating phlegm and masses. Examples include cooking hawthorn with honey, stir-frying celery with mushrooms, braising tofu with mushrooms, brewing a decoction with cassia seeds, and when liver enzymes rise, herbs like licorice, tangerine peel, and gentian can be used concurrently.