DEAR DOCTOR K: My doctor says I have fatty liver disease, but I rarely drink. So how is this possible?
DEAR READER: I can understand your surprise, since it used to be that fatty liver disease was usually caused by abusing alcohol. However, it has also been true that obesity and diabetes could cause fatty liver. Perhaps you have one of these conditions. In the past 30 years, as obesity and diabetes have become more common, so has fatty liver disease.
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Dr. Anthony Komaroff is a practicing physician, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Editor in Chief of Harvard Health Publications. Learn more »
Harvard Health Publications is the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, providing the general public with authoritative, trustworthy, and accessible health information. Learn more »
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