OVERVIEW

• Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. It occurs due to severe liver disease such as cirrhosis of liver.
• The innermost lining of abdomen is called peritoneum. It consists of two layers called parietal peritoneum and visceral peritoneum. When fluid is present between the two layers of peritoneum, it is called ascites.
• Extra fluid in stomach can make the belly swollen. If fluid is not drained out at proper time, then it can lead to infection. Fluid can also enter the chest and lungs. This causes difficulty in breathing.

CAUSES OF ASCITES

• The most common cause of ascites is liver cirrhosis.
• Following are the other causes of ascites:
• Drinking excessive alcohol
• Heart problems
• Infection
• Low protein levels in blood
• Kidney failure
• Cancer
• Due to above reasons, there gets increased pressure in the veins of liver. The pressure causes blockage of veins in liver and they don’t work properly. Due to this kidneys remove excess of salt from the body. This causes fluid accumulation.

SYMPTOMS OF ASCITES

In ascites, the main symptom is ballooning of belly. Other signs and symptoms of the disease are the following:

• Feeling of fullness
• Shortness of breath
• Bloating
• Pain in abdomen
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Swelling in ankles and legs
• Heartburn
• Backache
• Rapid weight gain
• Fever
• Hernia
• Piles

RISK FACTORS FOR ASCITES

The occurrence of ascites is associated with some of the risk factors. They are:

• Cirrhosis of liver
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Tuberculosis
• Pancreatitis
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Malnutrition
• Wilson disease
• Hemochromatosis

PREVENTION OF ASCITES

There are some steps which can be taken to prevent liver cirrhosis and thus ascites:

• Regular exercise
• Consuming whole foods
• Eating fresh fruits and vegetables
• Stop alcohol intake
• Maintaing a healthy weight
• Avoid smoking
• Lower salt intake in food
• Stop drug abuse

DIAGNOSIS OF ASCITES

• The doctor will do the physical examination of the patient. He will ask patient about the signs and symptoms of the disease.
• He may order some of the following tests:
• Blood tests
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI scan
• Laproscopy

TREATMENT OF ASCITES

The treatment of ascites includes:

• Taking diuretics
• Paracentensis
• Liver transplant

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF ASCITES

• Ascites is called Jalodar in ayurveda. In this, three doshas – vata, pitta and kapha are vitiated. The main doshas affected are kapha and pitta.
• Ayurveda recommends dietary and lifestyle modifications for tis management.

CHANDIGARH AYURVEDA CENTER’S MEDICATIONS FOR ASCITES

Here are some of the medications of Chandigarh Ayurveda Center which are used for the treatment of ascites:

 1. Gokshura Capsule

Gokshura capsule is pure ayurvedic medicine which is very effective in ascites as it has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the swelling of the abdomen. It also acts as diuretic which causes increased urine secretion from the body and removal of all the toxins. These capsules contain pure extract of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris).

Recommended Dosage: Take one capsule twice daily with normal water.

2. Detox Premium Powder:

Detox premium powder contain various herbo-mineral ingredients. This herbal powder is prepared from Moti pishti, Prawal pishti, Shukta pishti, Giloy satva, Kamdudha ras, Jahar mohra, Akik pishti, Gandhak rasayan, Tal sindoor, Shankh bhasm, Sutshekhar ras, Sudhyog tab, Shwet parpati, Yavakshaar. This herbal powder helps in the removal of toxins from the whole body, strengthens the body, and helps in maintaining general health.

Recommended Dosage: Take one sachet twice daily with normal water.

3. Panchsakar Churna:

This churna is very effective for constipation patients as it shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, laxative, & analgesic properties. It is a classical herbal churna prepared from ingredients like Shatapushpa, Balaharitaki, Shunthi, Swarnapatri, & Saindhav lavana. It helps in removing all toxins from the body & provides good results in constipation. All signs & symptoms related to constipation are treated with the regular use of this churna.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful at bedtime with warm water.

4. Liver Care Tablet:

These tablets are 100% safe and purely ayurvedic formulation. It maintains the proper functioning of the liver and stimulates the growth of new liver cells. Liver Care Tablets contains Ingredients like Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Kutaki(Picrorhiza kurroa), Bhumi amla( phyllanthus niruri), Giloy(Tinopora Cordifolia), Yavakshar( Hordeum vulgare), Imli Kshar( Tamarindus indica), Mukta Shukta pisti etc. These herbs balances excess Pitta Dosha and helps in problems like abdominal bloating,flatulence, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and indigestion.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

5. Trikatu Tablet:

Trikatu tablets are mixture of three herbs which are Saunth (Zingiber officinale), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum). These tablets improve digestion, boost your metabolism, helps in eliminating fat tissues and kapha dosha, support respiratory functions, and remove impurities and ama from the body.

Recommended Dosage: Take one tablet twice daily with normal water.

6. Kidney Care Tablet:

A healthy working kidney plays an important role in keeping the whole body clean, well-fueled, strong and functioning properly. Kidney failure puts the body at risk, allowing waste to accumulate and damage the kidneys from inside. It is a good idea to do a kidney cleansing and keep a check on the health of the kidneys in your middle and old age. The toxins that buildup results in nausea or feeling sick to the stomach, lack of concentration and blood pressure changes are all symptoms of kidney failure. The herbs used are very effective in treating kidney disorders and revive damaged kidney. It has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and analgesic properties.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.