Q: I am a 23 years old boy having elevated liver enzymes and fatty liver for the last 10 months. Since then my SGPT has also been fluctuating but other enzymes are normal. My height is 180 cm and weight is 74 kg. Last week, my liver enzymes were found normal except alkaline phosphate, which was 292 (reference range being up to 270) and albumin was 5.03 (reference range being 5). I was diagnosed with mild fatty liver too, but on an earlier occasion the radiologist had said that I did not have a fatty liver. All my other tests were normal including HbsAg, ANA, PT/INR, Anti HCV and fasting blood sugar except high eosinophil at 6.10 (reference range being 6). I am taking Viboliv and had already started following diet restrictions for the last 4-5 months. I used to have alcohol previously but not frequently. I have taken it only 6-7 times in the past 10 months. I also have a problem of fullness in stomach, though I pass bowels twice daily and sometimes feel the urge to pass more, but, I believe this is merely psychological. I had this problem for a long time (6-7 years) but it has not really hampered my daily activities. Could it be due to the irregular functioning of my liver? Could I be having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or amoebiasis in addition to a fatty liver? I eat green vegetables with fruits and less of non-vegetarian food. Please advise.

A:No drug has been approved for the treatment of fatty liver. I suggest you do the following:

• Maintain your ideal body weight (if you are overweight).
• Proper control of diabetes and hyperlipidemia (if you have these problems). It is good to have regular (once a year) blood tests for these conditions.
• Regular exercise (1/2 hr of brisk walk, 4-5 times a week).
• Alcohol use in moderation.
• Please stop all unnecessary medications.

• Take Isabgol husk one tablespoonful daily, mix it with water or juice.
• Take regular exercise (1/2 hr of brisk walk, 4-5 times a week).
• Drink plenty of water: 5-6 glasses/day.