Ascites, also known as dropsy or abdominal dropsy, is a physical disorder where
someone suffers from accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Ascites can be caused by liver disease and is a common side effect of alcoholism, chronic infection of viral hepatitis, or the abusive use of intravenous drugs. Otherwise, tumors, obstruction in portal vein and other problems may lead to Ascites. Fortunately, there are several simple herbal remedies which may help:
* Garlic can play a big role in curing the problem of Ascites. Add one-half teaspoon of fresh garlic juice to 125 ml of water and consume it two times per day. This garlic juice treated water should be consumed for 2-3 weeks for best result by the Ascites patients on a regular basis.
* Regular consumption of bitter melon (bitter gourd) root juice can provide prompt recovery of the complications imposed by Ascites. Take 25 ml at least three times per day in dilute condition.
* Punarnava has been found to be especially effective against Ascites. Pound the dried roots of punarnava to make a powder. Take 1 teaspoon twice daily with lukewarm water.
* The juice of fresh radish leaves has been found to be very beneficial in the controlling the intensity of Ascites. Mix the juice of radish leaves with water.
* Fenugreek seeds are another herbal remedy. Soak several fenugreek seeds overnight in a cup of water and then drink the water in the morning on an empty stomach..
* Carrot juice and buttermilk can play a vital role in restoring energy in the body while not adding to the accumulated fluid levels.
* A decoction of apocynum, also known as apocandle, has had outstanding results for Ascites when the urine is scanty and high-colored and the bowels are constipated. Put 15 to 30 drops in four ounces of water and take one teaspoon every hour. If the kidney and bowels do not respond, administer 30 to 60 drops every three or four hours. Should there still be no response, add some ground apocynum root to the decoction and begin slowly to avoid possible nausea.
* Polytrichum Juniperum used as a diuretic infusion is one of the better Ascites remedies. As should be the case with all infusions unless otherwise directed, take one to two teaspoons of dried herb (or two to four teaspoons of fresh herb), place in a cup of hot water for approximately ten minutes and then strain.
* Aralia Hispida is another valuable diuretic. The best results are obtained from giving as an infusion every two or three hours.
* Apis is a good remedy when there is a smarting or burning sensation during urination.
* Chimaphila is another good vegetable diuretic, and, like the remedies already mentioned, should be used as an infusion.
* Strophanthus frequently out-performs other remedies for Ascites. Use thirty drops to a half glass of water and take a teaspoonful every hour.
* When the body fails to respond to other suggested remedies for Ascites, relief may be found from the compound powder of jalap and the bitartrate of potassium, in dram doses every three, four, or five hours, until there are two, three, or four copious stools within a 24 hour period.
People with Ascites should avoid consumption of excessive water. In case of abnormal thirst, drink small amount of milk (raw organic goats milk is the healthiest option) at room temperature in small sips.
Note: Successful treatment of Ascites should include a professional diagnosis and then treatment of the cause of the Ascites (preferably naturopathic treatment once the diagnosis has been completed).
About the author Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts The Best Years in Life website for those who wish to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and is working on a major book project due to be published later this year. He is also a contributing author for the worldwide advocacy group "S.A N.E.Vax. Inc" which endeavors to uncover the truth about HPV vaccine dangers. Mr. Isaacs is currently residing in scenic East Texas and frequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country near Austin and San Antonio to give lectures and health seminars. He also hosts the CureZone "Ask Tony Isaacs - featuring Luella May" forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group "Oleander Soup" and he serves as a consultant to the "Utopia Silver Supplement Company".
Ascites - symptom, cause, treatment, cure and home remedy of Ascites Ascites is a condition in which fluids accumulate in the abdominal cavity. The stomach of the patient gets swollen; he has a feeling of heaviness and uneasiness. The legs also get swollen, breathing becomes difficult, the palpitation becomes rapid. The patient should not be given salt as far as possible. He should be given diuretic medicines. It is caused by diseases such as those of the heart, kidney, liver, and TB., cancer, aneurysm and thrombosis, etc.
Natural Home remedies for the treatment of ascites Simple home remedy for ascites using Garlic : Half tsp. of garlic juice taken in 125 ml. of water cures Ascites. It should be taken regularly for some days. Good home remedy for ascites using Gram : Boil 25 gms. of gram in litre of water. When the water is reduced to half the quantity, strain and drink it. Take it regularly for three weeks. Homemade recipes for ascites Bitter gourd : Taking 25 gms. of bitter gourd juice mixed with water thrice daily provides relief from ascites. Effective home remedy for ascites using Radish : 1/2 cup of the juice of radish leaves mixed with a little water daily is beneficial for patients of ascites. Fenugreek seeds: Take cooked fenugreek seeds or soak them overnight in water, strain and drink it. It is beneficial in ascites. Diet tips for ascites Onion: Eating onions frequently proves to be diuretic and is a good medicine for ascites. Natural home remedy for ascites using Mango : Eating mangoes is beneficial in Ascites. Eat two mangoes at a time thrice a day. Carrot juice, butter milk and melon are useful for patients of ascites. Home Remedies for Ascities
Home remedies for ascities include garlic, gram, bitter gourd, fenugreek, radish, melon, onion, sleep, etc. Ascities is termed as peritoneal fluid excess, peritoneal cavity fluid and hydro peritoneum. It basically deals with the accumulation of the fluid in the abdominal or peritoneal cavity. Some of the major reasons, which play a vital role behind causing ascities, are alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatic vein obstruction. Kidney and heart failure also cause excess accumulation of fluid. In addition to it, ascities can also be caused by cancer involving tuberculosis and abdominal cavity. Ascities is that condition of body in which, fluid is accumulated in the cavity of abdomen. The stomach gets swollen. There is a heavy and uneasy feeling. The legs are swelled up. Even breathing is not normal, which causes rapid palpitation. The main symptoms of ascities are: Accumulation of the fluid in the abdomen Distension in the abdomen Umbilicus eversion Shifting of dullness of percussion Portal hypertension Nephrotic syndrome Breath shortness Reduced appetite Lethargy Swollen ankle Rapid gain in weight Natural treatment of ascities differs on the basis on its cause. Salt restricted diet and bed rest are some of the main features of the treatment. In addition to them, diuretics or drugs are also utilised as they play a pivotal role in excreting more water from the kidney. The process of therapeutic paracentesis is used to remove the fluid. On the other hand, large volume paracentesis is used for draining larger amount of fluid from the patients body. Short duration of hospital stay is required for such treatments. Taraxacum officinale, the herbal diuretic is used for curing ascetics, as it not only drains excess fluid, but also provides potassium to the body. According to the National Cancer Institute, the use of a thin needle or tube to remove excess fluid from the abdomen can provide temporary relief from ascities. Some remedies and diet tips are given below: Garlic: It plays a pivotal role in curing ascities. Take 125 ml of water. Mix in half teaspoon garlic juice. Drink the garlic mixture regularly for days. Gram: Take 25 gm gram. Boil it in one fourth litre water. Let the water reduce to half. Strain the liquid. You will have to drink this for at least 3 weeks. Bitter Gourd: It provides the needed relief from ascities. Extract 25 ml juice of bitter gourd. Drink it thrice after mixing with water. Juice of bitter gourd can be taken empty stomach also. Radish: It is very beneficial in the treatment of ascities. Mix the juice of the leaves of radish plant with water. Fenugreek Seeds: Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight. Strain and drink that water in the morning. Avoid drinking excess water: Milk can be given to the patient replacing water, when thirsty. In take of more water during the case of ascities adds to swelling and weight gain. Therapies: Some therapies are helpful to cure this disease which are patoladhya ghrit, punarnave chum, and punarnava kwath and shilajatwadi vati. Punarnava or Boeharia Diffusa Powder: This powder is also beneficial in Ascites. It helps in draining the added fluid. Onion: It has diuretic goodness. So, include it in your diet. It helps in draining excess accumulated fluid through the means of urine. Fluids: Carrot juice and buttermilk are benefiting in this disease. They have a vital role in restoring energy in the body, along with not adding to the accumulated fluid levels. Melon: Eat melon daily in a lavish portion to stay healthy and fight ascities. It also helps in digestion and restoring the fluid balance and homeostasis. Alcohol: Stay away from alcoholism. It is the one and only cause behind the 83% of the total patients suffering from this disease. Active Life: Exercise helps your abdominal muscles in building process. This also protects the fluid accumulation. Sleep: Do not sleep during the day. Maintain a fixed time to go to the bed at night and wake up early in the morning. This plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the body. Helpful Diet: This includes buttermilk, camel milk, soup of horse gram, old rice, salads with dry radish, garlic, asafoetida and honey. Harmful Diet: Avoid taking too much starch like rice and wheat. Salt is very harmful for the patient of ascites. Herbs: Arjuna or white murdah has diuretic properties. Heenga or asafoetida dissolved in hot water is used to foment the abdomen. Himsra or caper brush should be taken as directed. Kakamachi or black nightshade is used in the ayurvedic treatment of Ascites. Kateli or kantakari is used to treat dropsy along with ascites. A doctor should be visited, if there is single doubt that you are suffering from ascities. Nevertheless, these home remedies can be practised on a regular manner to prevent the disease. Proper diagnosis in the case of ascities is a must. At times, its needed to consult your doctor, even before trying any of these home remedies and foods. You should keep in mind that there are so many minute details of each patient, which should be taken care of before prescribing the remedies.
Ascites is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Inside the abdomen is a membrane called the peritoneum, which has two layers. One layer lines the abdominal wall and the other layer covers the organs inside the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum produces a fluid that acts as a lubricant and allows the abdominal organs to glide smoothly over one another. Sometimes too much of this fluid can build up between the two layers and this is called ascites. Ascites can occur as a result of a number of conditions, including severe liver disease and the presence of malignant cells within the abdomen. Simply said, Ascites means, an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Ascites can also be called as the following names. These include: * Hydroperitoneum * Abdominal dropsy
ASCITIC FLUID: Abdominal paracentesis with analysis of the ascitic fluid should be done in patients with new onset ascites, those requiring hospitalization because of ascites and those whose condition deteriorates during hospitalization.Ascites means, an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.
The ascitic fluid should be analyzed for: 1.The serum-ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG) is calculated by subtracting the albumim concentration of the ascitic fluid from the albumin concentration of a serum specimen obtained on the same day. 2. The amylase concentration which is elevated in pancreatic ascites. 3. The triglyceride concentration which is elevated is chylous ascites. 4. White cell count when greater than 350/microliter is suggestive of infection. If most cells are polymorphonuclear, bacterial infection should be suspected. When mononuclear cells predominated, tuberculosis or fungal infection is likely. 5. Red cell count when greater than 50.000/microliter denotes hemorrhagic ascites, which usually is due to malignancy, tuberculosis or trauma. 6. Gram stain and culture which can confirm the diagnosis of bacterial infection. 7. PH when less than 7 suggests bacterial infection 8.Cytology can be positive in malignancy.
CAUSES OF ASCITES:
Ascites is excess fluid in the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and abdominal organs (the peritoneal cavity).The abdomen becomes very swollen and distended, which can be uncomfortable or painful. It can also cause difficulty in getting comfortable, sitting up or walking. It is a common clinical finding with a wide range of causes, but develops most frequently as a part of the decompensation of previously asymptomatic chronic liver disease.
Common causes of ascites are as follows:
* If cancer cells have spread to the lining of the abdomen, they can irritate it and cause fluid to build up.
* If the liver is affected by cancer cells, this may block the circulation of blood through the liver, which can lead to a build-up of fluid in the abdomen.
* If the liver is damaged, it may produce less blood protein. This may upset the body's fluid balance, which causes fluid to build up in the body tissues, including the abdomen.
* Cancer cells can block the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of fine channels which runs throughout the body. One of its functions is to drain off excess fluid, which is eventually got rid of in the urine. If some of these lymphatic channels are blocked, the system cannot drain efficiently and fluid can build up.
Ascites is typically caused by liver disease. These include:
* Cirrhosis
* Hepatitis
* Portal vein thrombosis (clots in the veins of the liver)
* Constrictive pericarditis
* Congestive heart failure
* Liver cancer
* Ovarian cancer
* Protein-losing enteropathy
* Nephrotic syndrome
* Pancreatitis
SYMPTOMS OF ASCITES: Ascites can be a symptom of many types of cancer. The types of cancer that are more likely to cause ascites are cancer of the breast, lung, large bowel (colon), stomach, pancreas, ovary, and the lining of the womb (endometrium).
The symptoms of ascites can be very distressing. The abdomen becomes very swollen and distended, which can be uncomfortable or painful. It can also cause difficulty in getting comfortable, sitting up or walking.The following are the common symptoms of ascites.These include:
* Rapid weight gain * Abdominal discomfort and distention * Shortness of breath * Swollen ankles * Feelings of sickness * Reduced appetite * Feelings of sickness (nausea) * Tired (lethargic)
SIMPLE PREVENTIVE TIPS FOR ASCITES: Modifying or restricting use of salt can prevent most cases of recurrent ascites.
TREATMENT FOR ASCITES: Ascites is a disease which is a common clinical finding with a wide range of causes, but develops most frequently as a part of the decompensation of previously asymptomatic chronic liver disease. The treatment of ascites depends on its cause. Treatment may include medicines called diuretics, which help remove the fluid, and antibiotics, if infection develops.
Diuretics:This may be prescribed if initial treatment is ineffective. The weight and urinary output of patients using diuretics must be carefully monitored for signs of: Hypovolemia (massive loss of blood or fluid)
Azotemia (abnormally high blood levels of nitrogen-bearing materials)
Potassium imbalance
High sodium concentration. If the patient consumes more salt than the kidneys excrete, increased doses of diuretics should be prescribed.
Large-volume paracentesis: Large-volume paracentesis is also the preferred treatment for massive ascites. Diuretics are sometimes used to prevent new fluid accumulations, and the procedure may be repeated periodically.
Moderate-to-severe accumulations of fluid are treated by draining large amounts of fluid (large-volume paracentesis) from the patient's abdomen. This procedure is safer than diuretic therapy. It causes fewer complications and requires a shorter hospital stay.
Spironolactone and furosemide: The combination of spironolactone and furosemide is the most effective regimen for rapid diminution of ascites. The starting dose is 100 mg of Spironolactone and 40 mg of Furosemide together in the morning. If there is no decrease in body weight or increase in urinary sodium excretion after two or three days, the doses of both drugs should be increased. The doses of medication can be increased to 400 mg of Spironolactone per day and 160 mg of Furosemide per day.
Dietary tips for ascites: Diet is quiet effective treatments for ascites.The following foods can be taken by the ascites sufferers.These include: Low-fat yogurt, Mackerel, Cantaloupe Baked potatoes Carrot juice, Butter milk Melon Low salt foods
HERBAL TREATMENT FOR ASCITES: This is an effective treatment for ascites.This treatment has no side effects. These include:
Kutki(Picrorhiza kurroa): This is a popular home remedy for ascites. Its beneficial in the treatment of ascites, a disease characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen. About 50 grms of the herb is boiled in 200 ml of water till 3/4 of the water has evaporated. Punarnava(Boerhaavia diffusa): The herb is useful in the treatment of ascites, a disease charecterised by accumulation of fluid inside the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen.
Garlic: Garlic plays a vital role in curing ascites. Half tsp. of garlic juice taken in 125 ml. of water cures Ascites. It should be taken regularly for some days.
Mango: This is a useful home remedy for ascites. Eating mangoes is beneficial in Ascites.The sufferers must eat two mangoes at a time thrice a day. Gram: This is also a popular herb for ascites.The ascites sufferers must boil 25 gms. of gram in litre of water. When the water is reduced to half the quantity, strain and drink it. Take it regularly for three weeks.
Onion: This is also plays an important role in curing ascites. Eating onions frequently proves to be diuretic and is a good medicine for ascites.
Bitter gourd: This is the most useful home remedy for ascites.The sufferers must take 25 Gms. of bitter gourd juice mixed with water thrice daily provides relief from ascites.
Radish: The sufferers must take 1/2 cup of the juice of radish leaves mixed with a little water daily is beneficial for patients of ascites.
Fenugreek seeds: This is the best herb for ascites.The sufferers must take cooked fenugreek seeds or soak them overnight in water, strain and drink it. It is beneficial in ascites.