Ascites (edema of the abdomen) can occur as a consequence of many diseases, but in most cases it is one of the complications of cirrhosis of the liver. This condition always indicates serious disturbances in the functioning of internal organs or entire systems and poses a danger to human health and life.
What it is?
Abdominal ascites is a symptomatic phenomenon in which there is an accumulation of fluid (transudate) in the abdominal cavity. It is a mistake to consider it a separate disease - it is only a manifestation of certain health problems.
The abdominal cavity contains the spleen, gall bladder, part of the intestines, stomach, and liver. It is closed and delimited by the peritoneum - a membrane consisting of two layers - the inner one, adjacent to the named organs, and the outer one, attached to the walls of the abdomen.
Peritoneal carcinomatosis, causes of the disease, symptoms and treatment:
The task of the peritoneum is to fix the organs located in it and take part in the regulation of metabolism. It is abundantly supplied with vessels that ensure metabolism through blood and lymph.
In a healthy person, between the two layers of the peritoneum there is a certain volume of fluid, which does not accumulate, but is constantly absorbed into small lymphatic vessels, freeing up space for new fluid to enter.
Transudate in the peritoneum begins to accumulate if the rate of its formation is increased or its absorption into the lymph is slowed down. The progression of the underlying pathology gradually increases its volume and it begins to put pressure on the internal organs, ascites develops, and the course of the underlying disease worsens.
Possible causes of abdominal ascites:
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- tuberculosis;
- compression of the portal vein;
- Budd-Chiari disease;
- some childhood diseases;
- bleeding;
- pancreatitis;
- malignant liver tumor;
- anasarca;
- pregnancy and pathologies of intrauterine development;
- heart failure;
- endometriosis.
The risk group includes people with alcohol and drug addiction, diagnosed with chronic hepatitis, and residents of regions with a high incidence of this pathology. Obesity, high cholesterol levels, etc. can affect the accumulation of transudate.
Abdominal ascites in oncology, prognosis
In cancer, malignant cells multiply uncontrollably. If, during metastasis, they enter the liver, this provokes compression of its sinusoids (the spaces between groups of cells filled with blood) and an increase in pressure in the portal vein and the vessels closest to it.
As a result, the outflow of blood and lymph from the peritoneum slows down and ascites of the abdominal cavity occurs in oncology. How long do they live in this condition? Only half of patients with dropsy who received timely treatment remain alive for two years. The high mortality rate is due to the rapid development of complications of dropsy, including:
- hydrothorax;
- respiratory failure;
- intestinal obstruction;
- formation and pinching of an umbilical hernia;
- peritonitis;
- hepatorenal syndrome;
More often than other cancers, ascites is caused by:
- pancreatic tumor;
- mesothelioma;
- ovarian cancer;
- abdominal carcinomatosis;
- Meigs syndrome.
The prognosis for the development of oncological ascites worsens in old age, with a significant number of metastases and renal failure.
Symptoms of ascites, photos - clinical manifestations
photo of abdominal ascites
Dropsy can develop gradually, over 1-3 months or even six months or more, or spontaneously, for example, with thrombosis of the portal vein. The first signs of abdominal ascites appear after the accumulation of 1000 ml of fluid or more, among them:
- Pain and feeling of fullness in the abdomen;
- Flatulence and belching;
- Increase in body weight and abdominal volume;
- Heartburn;
- Swelling of the legs, sometimes in the scrotum in men;
- Shortness of breath and tachycardia when walking;
- Difficulty when trying to bend the body.
If a person stands, the stomach takes on a spherical shape, and in a horizontal position it blurs. Over time, the skin becomes covered with light striae (stretch marks), and the navel bulges out as fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity.
With increased pressure in the portal vein on the sides and in front of the abdomen, the saphenous veins expand, becoming noticeable - this symptom is called “head of the jellyfish”.
Symptoms of abdominal ascites such as jaundice, nausea and vomiting appear due to blockage of the subhepatic vessels.
With tuberculosis, a person quickly loses weight, feels headaches, severe weakness, and the pulse becomes rapid. The abdomen enlarges very quickly if the outflow of lymph is impaired, and slowly if the cause of ascites is protein deficiency. In the latter case, edema is pronounced, which also occurs with cardiac, liver and kidney failure.
An increase in body temperature is not a direct sign of ascites and occurs only in some diseases that cause dropsy:
- liver cirrhosis;
- tumors;
- peritonitis;
- pancreatitis.
If ascites develops due to myxedema, then the temperature, on the contrary, drops below normal - to 35°C. This is due to insufficient production of thyroid hormones, which affect the intensity of metabolism and the body's production of heat.
Stomach cancer, first symptoms, treatment and prognosis:
Diagnostics
During the initial examination, the doctor performs percussion - tapping on the abdomen and analyzing the sounds that arise. With ascites, the sound above the fluid is dulled, and light blows on the abdominal wall on one side form waves that can be felt by placing a palm on the other side of the peritoneum (fluctuation).
In the diagnosis of abdominal ascites, ultrasound and computed tomography are used - these methods determine the volume of accumulated fluid and the main cause of the development of dropsy.
List of tests for ascites:
- Blood tests - general and biochemical - may show increased bilirubin and nitrogenous breakdown products, hypoproteinemia, high ESR;
- Urine – general – reveals, depending on the cause of dropsy, the presence of protein, red blood cells, increased density of urine;
- The fluid obtained by puncture of the abdominal cavity is transparent, whitish or with a slight admixture of blood, its reaction is never acidic - it is neutral or slightly alkaline;
- Rivolt's test - helps to distinguish transudate from inflammatory discharge - exudate using a qualitative chemical reaction to protein.
Fluid taken from the abdominal cavity is also examined for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and cancer cells.
Treatment of abdominal ascites, drugs
For abdominal ascites, treatment consists of eliminating the pathology that caused the dropsy. General treatment measures are:
- A diet with a limited salt content (no more than 2 g per day) or its complete absence; in case of cirrhosis, reduce fluid intake;
- Taking medications depending on the disease and in all cases - diuretics - Veroshpiron, Furosemide - in combination with potassium supplements (Asparkam, potassium orotate);
- Monitoring body weight loss - with successful treatment, the loss is 500 g per day.
Treatment tactics for various diseases:
- For heart failure, diuretics, vasodilators, and ACE inhibitors are indicated. In this case, it is prescribed - with a decrease in water and salt. Cardiac glycosides (Digoxin, Strophanthin) and other drugs are used to stimulate myocardial contractility.
- Strict bed rest and diet No. 7 (up to the exclusion of salt) are indicated for kidney pathologies that are accompanied by nephrotic syndrome - amyloidosis, glomerulonephritis). In this case, the volume of liquid drunk per day should not exceed the amount of urine excreted by more than 300 ml.
- Hydrops of the newborn due to hidden blood loss is treated through blood and plasma transfusions. Exudative enteropathy also involves the use of glucocorticosteroids and diuretics.
- For disturbances in protein metabolism, diuretics and a menu with optimal protein content are indicated, while ACE inhibitors and albumin transfusions help reduce protein loss in the urine.
If the volume of transudate is significant, the peritoneal cavity is drained and the accumulated fluid is slowly removed from it to avoid the development of collapse. The procedure is called laparocentesis and is performed under local anesthesia.
Symptoms and emergency care for gastrointestinal bleeding:
Surgical intervention indicated for ascites caused by portal hypertension. Two types of operations are common:
- Intrahepatic transjugular shunting, in which the portal and hepatic veins are artificially connected;
- Operation Kalba - excision of the peritoneum and muscles in the lumbar region, as a result of which the transudate begins to absorb subcutaneous fatty tissue. This procedure is effective in 1/3 of cases, and the result lasts no more than six months.
In case of advanced cirrhosis and other severe liver pathologies, a liver transplant is performed.
What's the prognosis?
The prognosis for ascites directly depends on the cause of fluid accumulation and the timeliness and effectiveness of treatment. In half of the cases, if there is no effect from diuretics, death occurs. Unfavorable factors also include:
- old age – 60 years or more;
- hypotension;
- diabetes;
- liver cancer;
- bacterial peritonitis;
- blood albumin level less than 30 g/l;
- decreased glomerular filtration of the kidneys.
The danger of ascites is also that, being a symptom, a consequence of the underlying disease, it, in turn, aggravates its course.
The accumulation of free fluid in the abdominal cavity occurs as a result of an inflammatory reaction, impaired outflow of lymph and blood circulation due to various reasons. This condition is called ascites (dropsy), its occurrence can lead to the development of serious consequences for human health.
The fluid accumulated in the peritoneum is an ideal habitat for pathogenic microflora, which is the causative agent of peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, umbilical hernia, hepatic encephalopathy and other equally dangerous pathologies.
To diagnose ascites, one of the safest and non-invasive, but highly accurate methods is used - research using ultrasound waves. Detection of the presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity by ultrasound is carried out as prescribed by the attending physician based on existing clinical signs of the pathological process.
The abdominal cavity is a separate anatomical zone, which constantly releases moisture to improve the sliding of the visceral layers of the peritoneum. Normally, this effusion is able to be dynamically absorbed and not accumulate in areas convenient for it. In our article we want to provide information about the causes of abnormal fluid reserve, diagnosing the pathological condition on ultrasound and effective methods of treating it.
Why does free fluid accumulate in the abdominal cavity?
Ascites develops as a result of various kinds of pathological processes in the pelvic organs. Initially, the accumulated transudate is not inflammatory in nature; its amount can range from 30 ml to 10–12 liters. The most common reasons for its development are a violation of the secretion of proteins, which ensure the impermeability of tissues and pathways conducting lymph and circulating blood.
This condition can be caused by congenital anomalies or development in the body:
- liver cirrhosis;
- chronic heart or kidney failure;
- portal hypertension;
- protein starvation;
- lymphostasis;
- tuberculous or malignant lesions of the peritoneum;
- diabetes mellitus;
- systemic lupus erythematosus.
Dropsy often develops when tumor-like formations form in the mammary glands, ovaries, digestive organs, serous membranes of the pleura and peritoneum. In addition, free fluid can accumulate due to complications of the postoperative period, pseudomyxoma peritonei (an accumulation of mucus that undergoes reorganization over time), amyloid dystrophy (disorders of protein metabolism), hypothyroid coma (myxedema).
The mechanism of dropsy formation is the leakage of fluid into the abdominal cavity from the main lymphatic ducts, blood vessels and organ tissues
Signs of ascites
In the early stages of the development of this condition, patients do not have any complaints; the accumulation of free fluid can only be detected using ultrasound. Visible symptoms appear when the amount of transudate exceeds one and a half liters, the person feels:
- increase in the abdominal region and body weight;
- deterioration in general health;
- feeling of fullness in the abdominal cavity;
- swelling of the lower extremities and scrotal tissue (in men);
- burping;
- heartburn;
- nausea;
- difficulty breathing;
- flatulence;
- tachycardia;
- protrusion of the umbilical node;
- discomfort and pain in the abdomen;
- stool and urinary disorders.
When a large amount of effusion accumulates in the peritoneum, a person can hear a characteristic splash of liquid and feel a wave.
If an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity shows existing excess moisture, the attending physician must accurately determine the root cause of the pathological condition. Pumping out accumulated transudate is not an effective method of treating ascites.
Preparation for ultrasound and its progress
This study does not have any contraindications or restrictions; in emergency cases it is carried out without prior preparation of the patient. The planned procedure requires improved visualization of pathological changes in organs. The patient is recommended to exclude from the diet 3 days before the study foods that contain large amounts of fiber and increase gas formation.
On the eve of the study, drink a laxative or do a cleansing enema. To reduce the accumulation of gases in the intestines on the day of the ultrasound, you need to take Mezim or activated charcoal. Modern methods of ultrasound diagnostics make it possible to determine the most likely areas of accumulation of free fluid in the abdominal cavity.
That is why qualified specialists inspect the following anatomical areas:
- The upper “floor” of the peritoneum, which is located under the diaphragm. Of particular diagnostic importance are the spaces located under the liver and formed by the main part of the small intestine - the ascending and descending parts of the colon. Normally, the so-called lateral canals do not exist - the peritoneum is tightly adjacent to the intestine.
- Small pelvis, in which, with the development of pathological processes, effusion may accumulate, flowing from the lateral canals.
The physical characteristics of moisture accumulated in the peritoneum for any reason do not allow the ultrasound wave to be reflected; this phenomenon makes the diagnostic procedure as informative as possible. The presence of effusion in the studied anatomical spaces creates a dark moving focus on the device monitor. If there is no free fluid, the diagnosis lasts no more than 5 minutes.
To detect excess moisture, the ultrasound device sensor is moved along the anterior and middle axillary lines on both sides of the patient’s body down the abdomen.
If it is not possible to detect a transudate, its presence may be indicated by indirect signs:
- displacement of colon loops;
- change in sound during percussion (tapping) - tympanic in the upper parts of the peritoneum, dull in the lower parts.
Types of abdominal hydrops by ultrasound
The international classification of diseases does not identify ascites as a separate disease - this condition is a complication of the last stages of other pathological processes. Based on the severity of clinical symptoms, the following forms of ascites are distinguished:
- initial – the amount of water accumulated inside the abdomen reaches 1.5 liters;
- with moderate amount of liquid– manifested by swelling of the legs, a noticeable increase in the size of the chest, shortness of breath, heartburn, constipation, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen;
- massive (exudate volume more than five liters) - a dangerous condition characterized by tension in the walls of the abdominal cavity, the development of insufficiency of the cardiac and respiratory systems, and infection of the transudate.
When bacteriologically assessing the quality of free fluid, which is carried out under special laboratory conditions, a distinction is made between sterile (absence of pathogenic microorganisms) and infected (presence of pathogenic microbes) dropsy.
According to diagnostic forecasts, there is ascites, which is amenable to drug therapy, and a stable pathological condition (its reoccurrence or not amenable to treatment).
What is done after the pathology is confirmed by ultrasound?
The course of treatment depends on what disease caused the accumulation of excess moisture in the peritoneum. To accurately diagnose the pathological process, practitioners conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient, including:
- biochemical and general clinical blood and urine tests;
- study of cancer markers and indicators of electrolyte metabolism;
- plain radiography of the chest and abdominal cavities;
- coagulogram - assessment of the parameters of the coagulation system;
- angiography of vessels, allowing to assess their condition;
- MRI or CT scan of the abdominal cavity;
- hepatoscintigraphy is a modern technique for studying the liver using a gamma camera, which allows visualization of the organ;
- diagnostic laparoscopy with therapeutic puncture of ascitic fluid.
To pump out transudate from the abdominal cavity, the method of therapeutic laparocentesis is used - a puncture is made in the anterior wall of the abdomen, through which excess fluid is removed
In patients with liver cirrhosis, intrahepatic portosystemic shunting is recommended, the technique of which involves placing a metal mesh stent to create an artificial connection between the collar and hepatic veins. In severe cases of the disease, organ transplantation is necessary.
In conclusion of the above information, I would like to emphasize once again that the accumulation of free fluid in the abdominal cavity is considered an unfavorable manifestation of the complicated course of the underlying disease. The development of ascites can provoke disruption of the functional activity of the heart and spleen, internal bleeding, peritonitis, and cerebral edema.
The mortality rate of patients with massive abdominal hydrops reaches 50%. Measures to prevent the occurrence of this pathological condition include timely treatment of infectious and inflammatory processes, proper nutrition, avoidance of alcohol, moderate exercise, preventive examinations of medical specialists and strict implementation of their recommendations.
Water in the abdomen is an alarming symptom that a doctor diagnoses on an ultrasound. It is recommended to undergo such an examination if the patient notices an enlargement of the abdominal cavity. Such a complaint should not go unnoticed by a specialist, since with advanced clinical pictures the oncological disease progresses with a fatal outcome.
What is ascites
This is a dangerous diagnosis, which is characterized by increased accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Other important organs of the body, such as the lungs and heart, can be affected by ascites. The problem is not inflammatory in nature. The fluid accumulated in the peritoneal area can reach 15-20 liters in volume. This disease is popularly called “frog belly” and is prone to malignancy. For 75% of all clinical pictures, this is a complication of progressive cirrhosis, and the main goal of treatment is to suppress alarming symptoms and prolong the period of remission.
Why does fluid accumulate in the abdominal cavity?
The peritoneum, which lines the walls of the abdominal cavity, secretes a small amount of fluid, which is similar in chemical composition to blood plasma. It is necessary for the normal functioning of internal organs, otherwise they would stick together. The liquid is absorbed and released throughout the day, but under the influence of pathological factors this natural process can be disrupted. With imbalance, intra-abdominal pressure increases and the abdomen increases in size. Urgent diagnosis followed by complex therapy is necessary.
Reasons
This disease is a complication of liver cirrhosis and more. It progresses gradually in the body; at first it does not manifest itself in any way. Abdominal ascites is difficult to treat successfully. However, healing occurs if the main pathogenic factor is eliminated. The causes of ascitic disease are unexpected, the most common among them are presented below. This:
- heart failure;
- malignant neoplasms;
- impaired pressure of the portal vein of the liver;
- abdominal tuberculosis;
- development of mesothelioma, pseudomyxoma;
- disruption of the endocrine system;
- diseases in women (from the field of gynecology).
Why does hydrocele occur in newborns?
Abdominal ascites can progress at any age, and infants with this characteristic disease are no exception. The pathological process worsens during the prenatal period and is characterized by a congenital disorder of liver function. This disease is caused at such a young age by infectious diseases of a pregnant woman. These include the following diagnoses:
- rubella in pregnancy;
- syphilis;
- toxoplasmosis;
- listeriosis;
- hepatitis;
- herpes;
- measles.
The risk group includes newborns whose mothers abused narcotic substances, medications, alcoholic beverages, and chemical reagents during pregnancy. In addition, ascites progresses in the case of blood transfusion during pregnancy, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. To prevent a child from developing abdominal ascites from the first days of life, a pregnant woman is not recommended to have permanent makeup or tattoos.
How does fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity manifest?
The main symptom of peritoneal ascites is free fluid in the abdominal cavity that collects and is not excreted naturally. This sign of the disease provokes an increase in the abdominal cavity in size, and over time this process only progresses. At first, the patient does not notice characteristic changes in appearance, but then he cannot tense and relax his stomach. Additional symptoms of ascites are as follows:
- abdominal pain;
- signs of dyspepsia;
- weight gain;
- shortness of breath when walking;
- big belly;
- heartburn, belching;
- fluctuation;
- state of general discomfort;
- increased swelling of the limbs.
Diagnostics
Determining ascites using visual examination and palpation of the abdominal cavity is very problematic. A description of symptoms is necessary to collect medical history data, but such actions by a specialist are not enough to make a final diagnosis. It is necessary to undergo a clinical examination, visualize foci of transudate, determine the nature and stage of the pathological process. Diagnostics involves the following methods:
- Ultrasound. Helps evaluate the systemic blood flow of the portal vein, the presence of liver cirrhosis, and peritoneal tumors. The method is non-invasive, painless, but at an early stage of ascites it is not very informative.
- Radiography. This diagnostic method visualizes foci of ascites, determines the volume of fluid, and the boundaries of the abdominal cavity. On the screen you can see cirrhosis of the liver and tuberculosis, suggesting heart failure.
- Laparocentesis. An invasive method that involves the collection and further study of ascitic fluid in the laboratory. Additionally, a liver biopsy (puncture) is performed to identify the etiology of the pathological process.
- CT and MRI. Both methods accurately determine abnormal fluid effusion, and diagnose pathology in hard-to-reach parts of the abdominal cavity. Laparocentesis complements complex diagnostics.
- Angiography. This is a type of radiography where a contrast agent is injected into the vessels to determine the etiology of the pathological process. This method can detect cirrhosis even at an early stage.
How to treat ascites
After performing radiography and angiography, the doctor can make a prognosis and determine an effective treatment regimen. The approach to the problem is comprehensive, and for advanced clinical situations does not exclude surgery to remove oncology, laparocentesis. It all depends on the signs and symptoms, the diagnosis performed, and the recommendations of a specialist. At first, doctors try to remove the source of pathology conservatively, but if fluid continues to accumulate in the abdominal cavity, surgery is definitely not possible. Otherwise, oncology will only progress.
How is abdominal dropsy treated therapeutically?
The main goal of drug therapy for ascites is to remove fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity using a non-invasive method. Treatment is appropriate at an early stage, when the peritoneum is not yet completely filled with transudate. For ascites, the doctor prescribes diuretics and calcium supplements. In the first case, we are talking about medications such as Veroshpiron, Diacarb, Lasix, Torasemide, after taking which the water in the abdominal cavity disappears. In the second - calcium tablets, Panangin and Asparkam. Additionally, it is recommended to take multivitamin complexes.
How to remove fluid in the abdomen using surgical methods
If ascites is diagnosed in an advanced stage, surgery to pump out the transudate cannot be avoided. In this way, you can temporarily remove a large belly, but if you do not eliminate the cause of the disease, its symptoms will very soon remind you of themselves again. It is important to understand that we are talking about oncology, and surgery cannot be avoided. Surgical intervention for ascites involves the following steps.
Speaking about the treatment of oncology with herbs, one cannot fail to mention this plant. By the way, his second name is wrestler. To fight malignant tumors you will need a tall fighter. The height of this plant can reach one and a half meters, it has very wide leaves, but the root, which is needed to prepare the medicine, is very small.
The root of aconite must be dug up, crushed and poured with vodka. This infusion should be stored in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks. After this, it is recommended to take one drop of infusion daily, increasing the dose by one drop. As soon as you reach 45 drops, you should repeat the course from the very beginning.
There is another recipe for aconite tincture: the root of the plant must be crushed, poured with water and boiled for two hours. After this, you need to add a small amount of alcohol to the container and put the mixture in the refrigerator.
This tincture should be taken half an hour before meals, about 3-4 times a day. Please note: the first doses may cause the patient to feel slightly dizzy and nauseous, but this is not at all dangerous.
Hemlock
Another quite poisonous, but incredibly effective herb for oncology is called hemlock. In medical practice, there have been numerous cases where this particular plant helped heal the most advanced diseases.
However, we should not forget that, like any medicinal plant, hemlock has a number of contraindications. In addition, it does not have an antidote, so treatment with hemlock is always a certain risk.
Note that the medicine can be prepared exclusively from fresh hemlock flowers. Only the tops of the plant should be collected. They must be placed in a glass container with a capacity of three liters and filled with alcohol.
For 1/3 of the shoots you will need two glasses. It is necessary to infuse the composition for a couple of days, after which you should add vodka to the brim of the jar and infuse for another two weeks; of course, it is best to do this in a dark place.
This herb is ideal for breast cancer. You can start taking it with 20 drops of the product, adding one drop daily. When the course reaches four dozen drops, you need to start reducing the dose. Afterwards the course can be repeated, of course, with the consent of the attending physician.
When treating oncology with a herb called hemlock, carefully monitor your health, pay attention to any (even minor!) changes. Among the signs of hemlock poisoning, one should note the appearance of frequent severe headaches, loss of coordination, confusion, and pale skin. Cramps and loss of strength are often observed.
Mountain Omega
If you decide to treat oncology with herbs, pay attention to mountain omega, also called Ferula Djungarian. It is almost impossible to get this plant alive, which is why many people have no idea what it looks like.
You can find it in dried form in almost any pharmacy. This plant is poured with vodka or alcohol and infused for three weeks. This drug mixture can be used to treat both benign and malignant tumors. It slows down their development or completely destroys them.
To summarize, let’s say that all the traditional medicine presented above can significantly increase the chances of recovery and improve the patient’s condition. However, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage, all precautions and regularly see an oncologist!
Chaga mushroom
Speaking about which herbs for oncology can boost immunity and improve health, it is worth mentioning separately about the plant known as chaga mushroom. There are a number of rules for collecting this plant: traditional healers are convinced that it must be collected in the spring, you should not collect chaga from dead dry trees, the best option is a living tree, whose age ranges from 20 to 50 years.
This mushroom is prepared in the following way: it is crushed, placed in a three-liter jar and filled with water. After the mushroom has infused, the liquid must be filtered and consumed as a drink instead of water or tea. In the event that metastasis has already begun, traditional medicine recommends enemas with chaga.
Blackberry
Another natural remedy that can suppress the activity of cancer cells is the common blackberry. Its beneficial properties allow the body to maintain the functioning of all vital systems. Blackberry fruits contain anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which slow down the growth of malignant tumors and help the body fight cancer.
Traditional healers note that blackberries help best with intestinal cancer. It can be consumed both fresh and frozen. The beneficial properties of the berry will also be preserved when preparing jams, marmalade or marmalade.
What herbs help against cancer?
Today, cancer drugs containing herbs and plants are widely used in oncology.
Pharmaceutical preparation based on Vinca rosea. The herb of this plant includes a large number of alkaloids (biologically active substances that have the ability to destroy cancer cells). The plant grows in tropical forests and on the Black Sea coast.
Mainly used in complex therapy of acute leukemia and breast cancer. To make the drug, the root bulbs of Colchicum splendidus, which grows in the mountainous regions of the Caucasus, are used.
The action of this cancer medicine is aimed at stopping mitosis (division) of pathological cells and destroying them. In tablet form, colchamine is used in anticancer therapy of the digestive system.
Padophylline is also actively used in the treatment of benign neoplasms and in particular papillomas and candylomas.
Oncology is a hot topic today. There are many theories about the occurrence of malignant tumors in the human body.
Theorists put forward versions that reduced nonspecific immunity or an altered process of the self-regulation system leads to the development of cancer.
In the list of ingredients of anti-cancer recipes of traditional medicine you can often find the rarest and most unusual plants. However, in most cases, the raw materials for preparing decoctions can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Plants used in alternative therapy for cancer
| Plant | Used raw materials | Action | At what pathologies applies | Recipe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calendula | Flowers meanings | Antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory | For various types of tumors | Take 10 drops of tincture 4 times a day, after diluting with warm water |
| Sage | Grass | Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial. Normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and reduces the formation of gases. | For upper respiratory tract cancer and gastrointestinal cancer | 2 tbsp. pour 400 ml of hot water and leave for a while. 30 min., take three times a day |
| Yarrow | Grass | Hemostatic, used | For uterine and rectal bleeding | 2 tsp raw materials, pour 400 ml of boiling water, drink 2-3 rubles/day, 80-100 ml |
| Valerian, Melissa | Root Grass | Sedative | For overexcitation of the central nervous system, stress, tachycardia, gastrointestinal spasms | 2 tbsp. medicinal raw materials, pour 500 ml of boiling water, boil or leave for a while. 15 min., take 100 ml twice or thrice a day |
| Fireweed angustifolia | Grass | Analgesic, anti-inflammatory | For malignant soft tissue formations | 2 tbsp. pour 400 ml of boiling water, leave for a while. 2 hours and filter, drink 2 tbsp. three times a day |
| Sagebrush | Whole plant | Antispasmodic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and immunomodulatory | Fibroids, other soft tissue tumors | 4 tbsp. medicinal raw materials, pour 400-500 ml of hot water, keep in a water bath for 15 minutes, let cool for 45 minutes. Strain the grounds and take a decoction of 30-40 ml three times a day half an hour before meals. |
| Great celandine | Grass | Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral and mild pain reliever | For various types of malignant tumors | 2 tsp dried raw materials, pour 400-500 ml of boiling water, drink 5 tbsp. twice or thrice a day |
The combination of several plants has a stronger effect on the patient than the combination of their effects when used separately. The most effective folk recipes for malignant neoplasms are given below.
Collection No. 1Ingredients:
- 7 parts sage herb;
- 5 parts of nettle leaves;
- 4 parts each of immortelle grass, bearberry, string and rose hips;
- 3 parts bitter wormwood;
- 2 parts each of yarrow herb, thyme, motherwort, dried grass, chamomile flowers, dried flowers (or calendula), linden, birch buds and buckthorn bark.
Preparation: Pour 2.5 tablespoons of the mixture into a container with a liter of boiling water. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours. The volume of the decoction should decrease. After the required time has passed, filter the medicinal raw material, cool the drink, pour it into a glass (not plastic!) container and put it in the refrigerator.
Take 40-60 ml 3 times a day a third of an hour before meals. One course of treatment lasts 2-2.5 months, the interval between courses is 3-4 months. Taking a herbal decoction can be combined with treatment with propolis tincture.
Collection No. 2Ingredients:
- 3 parts each of viburnum fruits and celandine grass;
- 2 teaspoons each of Echinops fruits, hop cones, ivy budra herbs and prickly tartar and buckthorn bark;
- 1 teaspoon each of marshmallow root and high levasil, dried parsley and cinnamon rose hips.
Update: December 2018
The accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which causes the abdomen to become enlarged, is called ascites. This condition is not very common, but its development almost always indicates the presence of a serious illness. It can occur when the liver, heart, kidneys and a number of other organs are damaged. The main thing is to promptly determine the cause of its development and carry out the correct treatment.
In the vast majority of cases, people with ascites are long-term patients who are aware of their diseased organ. However, there are cases when this condition is the debut of the disease. You can learn modern information about what can cause ascites, modern diagnostic and treatment methods from this article.
Causes of ascites
This condition can occur due to a large number of different diseases, but most often, the cause of ascites lies in one of three organs - the liver, heart or kidneys. Their defeat is accompanied by the accumulation of fluid throughout the body, including in the internal organs, under the skin and in the abdominal cavity. More exotic causes include some hormonal disorders, tuberculosis, damage to lymphatic vessels and a number of other pathologies.
Liver damage
Liver disease is the most common cause of ascites. The accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity can occur when its cells are damaged or due to compression of the portal vein.
Liver cells produce a large number of substances every minute, including albumin, proteins, some vitamins (A, E, D, K), “good” cholesterol, blood clotting substances, etc. The protein produced by the liver is necessary to retain fluid in the lumen of blood vessels. It attracts water, which prevents swelling in a healthy person. When cells are damaged, the amount of protein produced decreases, causing fluid to begin to leak through the walls of blood vessels into the tissue and cavity (abdominal, thoracic, pericardial, etc.).
Compression of the portal vein can also cause ascites. This is a large vessel that is located on the posterior surface of the liver, in a small notch. As the organ enlarges, the vein can become severely compressed, which leads to increased blood pressure on its walls. Because of this, the liquid is “squeezed” through the vein and goes directly into the abdominal cavity.
The table below describes liver diseases that cause cell dysfunction, organ enlargement, or all three. When ascites develops, they must be excluded first.
| Liver disease | Brief description of the disease | Pathological mechanism |
Hepatitis with blood transmission (in severe cases)
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These are severe viral diseases that specifically affect liver cells, damaging and reducing their functions. To date, no therapy has been developed that can cure 100% of patients, so in some of them hepatitis becomes chronic. | Cell dysfunction |
| Autoimmune hepatitis | This pathology is associated with a disruption of the immune system, due to which blood cells begin to attack and gradually destroy liver tissue. | |
| Alcoholic liver disease | Alcohol has a direct damaging effect on liver tissue. Constant consumption of large doses of ethanol inevitably leads to severe chronic disease. | |
| Drug overdose (with the development of drug-induced hepatitis) | Some medications can also be toxic to this organ if taken incorrectly. These include:
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| Budd-Chiari syndrome | This is a rare condition in which the veins inside the liver become blocked. The result is disruption and swelling of the liver. Often accompanied by ascites. | |
| Reye's syndrome | A severe complication that occurs in children who have had a viral infection (smallpox, influenza, adenoviral infection, etc.). It is extremely rare and can result in death or disability. | |
Cirrhosis, including:
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Cirrhosis is the replacement of normal liver tissue with non-functioning connective tissue. Typically, this is a slow and gradual process. The final stage of cirrhosis is severe liver failure and death from poisoning by body toxins. | These pathologies combine two pathological mechanisms - they lead to both narrowing of the portal vein and damage to liver cells. |
| Primary sclerosing cholangitis | Leads to overgrowth of the hepatic ducts and decreased organ function. Almost always leads to primary biliary cirrhosis. | |
| Wilson-Konovalov disease | A hereditary disease in which a person lacks the copper transport protein. Because of this, the trace element accumulates in the liver and brain, causing severe damage. | |
| Fatty liver | In the case when the liver tissue is replaced not by connective tissue, but by adipose tissue, doctors diagnose “fatty degeneration.” The disease can occur as a result of poisoning, diabetes, a number of hormonal diseases, etc. |
Despite the large number of different liver diseases, the correct diagnosis can be made based on the patient’s condition and the results of some studies. Which ones? Information about this is presented below.
Heart damage
Blood moves throughout the body due to the continuous work of the heart and blood vessels. When the functions of the heart muscle are impaired, the blood flow begins to slow down, which leads to its stagnation and the release of fluid into organs and tissues. First of all, swelling occurs in the legs and arms. However, with severe heart failure, the liquid part of the blood can accumulate around the internal organs and in the abdominal cavity.
Ascites due to cardiovascular diseases can occur with:
Damage to the heart muscle. Due to a decrease in the number of working cells and their replacement with connective tissue, organ failure may occur. Damage can result from:
- any forms of coronary heart disease, including heart attack and angina;
- infections (endo-, peri- and myocarditis);
- autoimmune diseases (lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and others);
- amyloidosis is a metabolic disorder in the body, due to which pathological protein (amyloid) is deposited in the walls of organs;
- trauma and injury to the organ.
Overload of parts of the heart. Some diseases lead to increased pressure on the walls of the organ and their stretching. Such overload can occur due to blood retention in the ventricles/atria or due to increased pressure in the vessels. The cause of overload can be:
- Hypertension, with late initiation of therapy or improper treatment. After diagnosis, the patient must constantly take medications that lower blood pressure and periodically visit a local physician (once a year). If you lose control over the course of the pathology (with constantly elevated blood pressure), you must consult a doctor again;
- Arterial hypertension, which can occur due to hormonal disorders (Cushing's syndrome, hyperthyroidism, etc.), damage to kidney tissue, damage to parts of the brain;
- Congenital and acquired defects, such as patent interventricular/interatrial septum, stenosis or valve insufficiency, stenosis or coarctation (enlargement) of the aorta and others.
Cardiomyopathies. This is a group of genetic diseases in which the structure of the heart wall is disrupted. There are two options - either it becomes too thick (hypertrophic form) or becomes thinner (dilated form).
Heart failure is a condition that requires proper and timely treatment. The development of ascites in cardiac pathology is always an unfavorable sign, indicating an insufficient amount of therapy or a severe course of the disease.
Kidney damage
This organ performs a large number of functions, one of which is removing excess fluid and toxins from the body. During the day, the kidneys filter about 180 liters of blood. When kidney tissue is damaged, this process is disrupted, which leads to the accumulation of fluid in various parts of the body: on the legs and arms, on the face, in the abdominal cavities, heart and internal organs.
This condition is aggravated by constant loss of protein in the urine, which occurs due to the destruction of the kidney filter. Since there is less protein in the blood vessels, the arteries and veins cannot hold all the liquid part of the blood. As a result, swelling becomes even larger and spreads throughout the body.
Not every kidney disease can cause such fluid retention. The following pathologies most often lead to the destruction of kidney tissue and disruption of the filtration process:
- Glomerulonephritis. This term refers to a whole group of diseases that share several characteristics. First, they almost always lead to the destruction of the kidney filter and force a person to use hemodialysis (at the final stage). Second, glomerulonephritis is an autoimmune disease that develops due to an “error” in the body’s defense systems. As a result, blood cells begin to attack and destroy healthy kidney cells;
- Tubulointerstitial nephritis (abbreviated as TIN). This is a disease in which components of the kidney filter (tubules) die. Most often, it occurs after poisoning with various toxins, including heavy metals, drugs, methanol and other substances. Also, cases of the development of TIN were noted after severe viral diseases, radiation exposure, and against the background of cancer of any organ;
- Diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes is more than just high blood glucose levels. This is a serious disease that gradually affects the entire body, including the kidneys. In the absence of adequate treatment and constant control of sugar, the renal filter begins to slowly and irreversibly collapse, which can lead to widespread edema and ascites;
- Congenital kidney defects. Polycystic disease, underdevelopment of renal tissue, absence (agenesis/aplasia) of the kidney - all these conditions can cause fluid retention in the patient’s body;
- Systemic disease. Lupus erythematosus, periarteritis nodosa, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic scleroderma are rare but serious diseases that damage the connective tissues of the human body, including the kidneys;
- Hypertonic disease. Constantly high blood pressure negatively affects the functioning of all organs, but primarily the heart and kidneys. Hypertension, which is not treated or treated incorrectly, inevitably leads to shrinkage of the kidneys and disruption of their functions.
Advanced kidney diseases are almost always severe. However, ascites is only one of many symptoms. In such patients, swelling develops throughout the body, and the health and function of the heart, brain and other organs deteriorate.
Other causes of ascites
Having ruled out the presence of kidney, heart and liver diseases as possible causes, it is necessary to begin assessing the condition of other organs. The problem may be hidden in impaired drainage of lymphatic fluid, decreased thyroid function, or damage to the peritoneum. In particular, fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity can occur with the following diseases:
Symptoms
The accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity can be quite difficult to determine. An enlarged abdomen can occur not only with ascites, but also with pancreatitis, intestinal paresis, intestinal obstruction, pregnancy and a number of other conditions. Therefore, it is important to be able to distinguish free fluid in the abdomen from bloating, accumulation of feces, enlargement of other organs, etc. To do this, you can use the following simple techniques:
- Place your hands on the sides of your abdomen. After this, lightly push your stomach 2-3 times with one hand. If the second hand feels a splash of fluid or its movement, then most likely the cause of an enlarged abdomen is ascites;
- Assess the shape of the abdomen in two positions: standing and lying down. If a person’s abdomen retains a rounded shape and hangs down somewhat while standing, but when lying down, the abdomen seems to “spread out” and flatten, the presence of fluid should be suspected.
Also, in addition to direct changes in the abdomen, the patient may experience a number of other symptoms of abdominal ascites, due to the accumulation of fluid and increased intra-abdominal pressure. The most common of them include:
- Difficulty breathing, including shortness of breath or a wet cough;
- Frequent urge to urinate;
- Development of constipation;
- Constant weakness and decreased performance.
However, it should be noted that it will be much easier and better to diagnose the disease if a person with a suddenly enlarged belly consults a doctor. He will be able to more reliably examine, palpate and “tap” the abdominal wall and, if necessary, refer the patient for further examination or to the hospital.
How to determine the cause of ascites
In the first section, a huge number of reasons for this condition were given. To suggest a diseased organ and determine the most likely disease a person has, a comprehensive examination is necessary. It should begin with a thorough clarification of all complaints and possible harmful factors, and end with specialized diagnostics. Below, we will describe the principles of this diagnosis and ways to find out the true cause of ascites.
Analysis of all complaints and harmful factors
To determine the affected organ, you must first find out whether a person has specific symptoms indicating a disease of the heart, kidneys, liver, lymph vessels, etc. The manifestations of these diseases can be quite diverse, but they are characterized by some common features. The most characteristic of them, which help make a diagnosis, are described in the table:
| Affected organ/disease | Feature of edema | Characteristic symptoms |
| Heart or blood vessels |
They are located throughout the body, and must be found on the legs. In most cases, dense to the touch, cold. The skin over the swelling is often pale or takes on a bluish tint. |
Episodes of pressing pain behind the middle of the chest in the past; Constantly high blood pressure; The presence of shortness of breath, which appears/intensifies with exertion. |
| Liver | Depending on the severity of the disease, there are 2 options for the manifestation of the disease:
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The appearance of enlarged and clearly contoured veins on the abdomen. They are figuratively compared to the “head of a jellyfish”; Increased bleeding may develop (easy bruising, nosebleeds, etc.); There may be a dull, constant pain of low intensity in the right hypochondrium. |
| Kidneys | As a rule, swelling occurs throughout the body and in the internal organs. The most typical location is on the face. They are soft to the touch, the skin over them is not changed. | Often, swelling is the only manifestation of the disease that the patient notices. |
| Thyroid | Characteristic is the development of dense edema throughout the body, without changes in the skin. |
Characterized by severe weakness, drowsiness and low performance; If the disease continues for a long time, weight increases and the facial expression becomes puffy. |
| Tuberculosis of mesenteric nodes | The accumulation of fluid occurs exclusively in the abdominal cavity. | There are no specific symptoms. A prolonged increase in temperature to 37-37.5 o C, constant weakness and fatigue are possible. |
The next stage of diagnosis, after a careful interview and examination of the patient, is taking tests and conducting instrumental examinations, such as ultrasound, x-rays, etc. In most cases, it is these methods that make it possible to establish a final diagnosis and find out the cause of the disease.
Laboratory and instrumental diagnostics
Regardless of the specificity of the symptoms and the doctor’s confidence in a particular diagnosis, each patient undergoes a series of studies. Why is this necessary? Diseases often disguise themselves as each other - lupus erythematosus can hide under the mask of glomerulonephritis, or hyperthyroidism can “pretend” to be hypertension. There are many such examples, which is why to treat abdominal ascites you need to see a doctor and undergo all the necessary examinations. This will improve the quality of therapy and the likelihood of recovery.
Prescriptions for various examinations are issued depending on the doctor’s assumptions. At the moment, there is no universal analysis that could independently determine the cause of fluid accumulation. Specific studies are recommended to evaluate the performance of each system. Which ones exactly are described below.
| System under study | Necessary tests | Necessary instrumental examinations |
| Heart or blood vessels | Clinical blood test:
Normal: less than 10 mm/hour in women less than 15 mm/hour in men
Norm: 4.1-9.0*10 9 cells/l
Norm: in women: 4.0-5.2*10 12 cells/l in men: 4.3-5.6*10 12 cells/l
Normal: in women: 120-160 g/l in men: 130-180 g/l Blood biochemistry
Norm – up to 5 mg/l
Normal – less than 5 mmol/l
Normal – less than 3.0 mmol/l
Normal – more than 1.2 mmol/l
Normal – up to 6.1 mmol/l
Normal: 20-77 pg/ml |
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| Liver | Clinical blood test:
Blood biochemistry:
Normal: total bilirubin – less than 17 µmol/l direct fraction: 1.7-5.1 µmol/l indirect fraction: 3.4-12 µmol/l
Norm: AST – up to 45 U/l ALT – up to 38 U/l
Norm: 65-87 g/l
Normal: 20-60 mg/dl General urine analysis
Norm: 1015-1025 g/l
Normal: protein in urine – less than 0.033 g/l glucose in urine - absent
Normal: red blood cells – up to 2 per field of view leukocytes – up to 5 per field of view
Normal: in the absence of heavy physical activity – up to 80 mg/day after intense exercise – up to 240 mg/day
Normal: leukocytes – up to 2000/1 ml red blood cells – up to 1000/1 ml cylinders – up to 20/1 ml
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| Thyroid | Hormone analysis:
Normal: 0.4-4.2 µIU/ml
Normal T 3: 70.3-204.5 ng/dl (1.08-3.14 nmol/l) Norm T 4: 55-138 nmol/l |
Doppler ultrasound is used to assess the size of the gland, its structure and consistency. Other instrumental diagnostic methods are used quite rarely. If necessary, the doctor may also recommend a scintigraphic examination, computed tomography or biopsy. |
| Tuberculosis of mesenteric nodes | Clinical blood test:
Blood biochemistry
The Diaskin test is the most informative laboratory test for tuberculosis. It is an improved and highly specific mantu sample. A special drug is injected strictly intradermally into the forearm. After which a small bubble forms, the condition of which is assessed after 3 days. The presence of tuberculosis is indicated by redness and enlargement of the vesicle, more than 14 mm in diameter. |
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| Peritoneal carcinomatosis | Laboratory diagnostics have low efficiency | In most cases, the diagnosis is established after a laparoscopic examination - examination of the abdominal cavity using special surgical instruments. Laparocentesis may also be informative. |
| Lymphostasis |
Treatment
Measures to eliminate ascites can be divided into 2 groups. The first is aimed at removing fluid from the abdominal cavity using medications and minor surgical interventions. The second is for the treatment of the disease that caused ascites. This process is usually much more complex and lengthy.
In some cases (for example, with cirrhosis, glomerulonephritis, cardiomyopathy, etc.) it is impossible to completely get rid of the disease, but you can control its course. How to do it? Individual therapy, if necessary, is selected by the attending physician. We will describe the general principles of disease therapy.
Removing fluid from the abdomen
At the moment, there are recommendations from national medical associations that doctors adhere to. They include a specific algorithm by which ascites can be effectively and safely eliminated. This algorithm includes the following provisions:
Hospitalization. Treatment must be carried out in a hospital inpatient setting for 4 groups of patients:
- With the onset of the disease;
- If therapy at home is ineffective;
- With a large volume of fluid in the abdomen;
- If complications develop (impaired consciousness, decreased kidney function, drop in blood pressure, etc.)
Mode. During the first week, it is important to observe bed rest, since in a horizontal position the removal of excess water and sodium improves and blood flow to the kidneys is facilitated;
Nutrition. It is necessary to limit the intake of salt (sodium chloride), since 1 g of sodium attracts 250-300 ml of water. The more it enters the blood, the more water is retained in the body. While ascites persists, it is not recommended to add salt to food. After the liquid has been removed, it is allowed to use salt during cooking, but you should not add additional salt to the food;
Water mode. In the absence of elevated temperature (more than 37.5 o C), drink consumption should be reduced to 1 liter/day;
Diuretic medications. In most cases, it is necessary to begin eliminating fluid with these drugs. There are two main types of diuretics that are used for ascites. The choice between them is made by the attending physician, depending on the cause of the disease. This is a very important nuance, since prescribing the wrong medicine can lead to severe heart failure, human poisoning and death. The most commonly used drugs are listed below:
- Loop diuretics: Furosemide, Torasemide. These are quite strong drugs that can remove large amounts of fluid from the body. However, together with water, they remove vital electrolytes - potassium and sodium. Therefore, in diseases that occur with a deficiency of these ions (for example, severe liver failure), loop diuretics are used with great caution;
- Potassium-sparing diuretics: Spironolactone, Eplerenone, Canreonate. This group acts more delicately and does not lead to significant losses of liquid and ions. On the contrary, they retain potassium in the body. Therefore, these diuretics are contraindicated during pregnancy and diseases that impair the release of electrolytes (for example, renal failure).
Laparocentesis. Abdominal puncture for ascites is performed only in 2 cases:
- When a large volume of fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity. This condition is called “tense ascites.” If you do not remove some of the water from the abdomen and do not reduce intra-abdominal pressure, the patient may experience compression of the internal organs and the functioning of the lungs and heart may be impaired;
- If medications are ineffective.
In most cases, laparocentesis takes little time - about 10 minutes. At one time, the surgeon can remove up to 2-4 liters. It is impossible to eliminate all ascites at once, as this can lead to a drop in pressure and cause the patient to go into shock. Immediately after the procedure, it is necessary to carry out an intravenous infusion of albumin. This solution will help keep water within the bloodstream and prevent the re-accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
Treatment of the cause of ascites
In addition to removing excess water from the body, it is also necessary to prevent its re-accumulation. To do this, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive therapy for the underlying disease. Depending on the affected organ, the patient is referred to a doctor of a certain profile: gastroenterologist, cardiologist, nephrologist, oncologist, phthisiatrician, etc. Only the attending doctor can take into account all the necessary nuances and choose the optimal solution. We can only describe general principles that must be followed during therapy.
Liver
In 80% of cases, ascites occurs due to cirrhosis of the liver, which developed against the background of viral hepatitis B, C, or a combination of both. Since these diseases do not manifest themselves for a long time, most of the liver cells have time to collapse. In its place, connective tissue grows, which compresses the vena cava and promotes the release of fluid through its walls. Other diseases lead to ascites quite rarely.
The greatest importance in the treatment of liver diseases is the elimination of harmful factors:
- If the patient has viral hepatitis, special antiviral therapy is necessary;
- With the development of autoimmune hepatitis, biliary cirrhosis or sclerosing cholangitis, glucocorticosteroids or immunosuppressants are used;
- In the presence of Budd-Chiari syndrome, it is necessary to restore the patency of the liver vessels, with the help of medications (fibrinolytics and anticoagulants) or surgery.
In addition to specific treatment, such patients are necessarily prescribed hepatoprotectors, which protect the remaining liver cells. These include:
- Ursodeoxycholic acid preparations: Ursosan, Ursofalk, Ursodez, Exchol;
- Phospholipids: Essentiale Forte, Rezalut, Essliver, Antraliv.
To determine the most suitable treatment regimen for you, you need to contact a gastroenterologist. Only a doctor can choose the most suitable drugs and properly treat the disease. Self-medication is dangerous - it can lead not only to a deterioration in health, but also to significantly reduce life expectancy.
Heart
In the treatment of heart disease, there are several areas of therapy that help eliminate the symptoms of the disease, improve the condition of the heart muscle and increase a person’s life expectancy. These include combating high blood pressure and excess blood cholesterol, preventing the formation of blood clots during arrhythmias and protecting the heart from adverse factors.
To accomplish all these tasks, an integrated approach and joint work between the patient and the doctor are required. Typically, treatment includes the following components:
| Therapy Component | a brief description of | Purpose of the recommendations |
| Diet |
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| Lifestyle change |
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| ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) | ACE inhibitors:
ARB drugs:
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These drugs have two very important effects:
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| Other blood pressure remedies | Calcium channel blockers:
Diuretics:
Beta blockers:
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In severe hypertension, the use of one drug (ARB or ACEI) is often insufficient. Therefore, they are combined with one of the medications listed in this group. |
| Antiarrhythmic drugs | Sodium channel blockers:
Potassium channel blockers:
Calcium channel blockers:
Beta blockers (listed above) |
Combating rhythm disturbances is one of the most important components of therapy. It is severe arrhythmias that become frequent causes of sudden cardiac death, irreversible myocardial damage and coronary artery disease. |
| Drugs that reduce the amount of “blood fats” | Statins are the drugs of choice for increasing cholesterol and LDL levels:
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These drugs are necessary for the prevention/treatment of atherosclerosis - the process of plaque growth on the walls of the arteries. By closing the lumen of blood vessels, the plaque disrupts the nutrition of vital organs: kidneys, heart, brain and others. |
| Medicines that prevent blood clotting | Must be prescribed after vascular accidents (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attacks) or for arrhythmias.
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Used to prevent blood clots, which can lead to blockage of the pulmonary arteries and death. |
It should be noted once again that the final treatment regimen is determined by the attending doctor. He can adjust it at his own discretion, depending on the type and severity of the pathology and the condition of the patient’s body. However, the general principles of treatment that must be followed have been described above.
Kidneys
Treatment of chronic kidney diseases, which can cause ascites, is almost always a complex and lengthy process. Depending on the specific type of disease, the issue of the need to prescribe glucocorticosteroid hormones, surgery to correct defects, permanent hemodialysis or other therapeutic measures is decided. However, the general principles of treatment for these pathologies are the same. These include the following recommendations:
- Limiting salt. Since impaired renal function impairs the elimination of electrolytes, taking even small amounts of salt can lead to fluid retention and increased blood pressure. The maximum permissible dose for these diseases is no more than 1 g/day. This amount can be achieved by eating fresh food and unsalted drinks;
- Quitting alcohol and smoking;
- Maintaining adequate diuresis. With chronic damage to an organ, toxic substances begin to accumulate in a person’s blood. They lead to sleep disturbances, constant weakness, decreased performance and poor health. Therefore, it is important to regularly use diuretics to improve the removal of “toxins”;
- Regular monitoring of toxic substances in the blood. This measure helps prevent the development of severe complications such as brain damage (encephalopathy);
- Reducing the inflammatory process. In case of autoimmune diseases such as glomerulonephritis, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, it is necessary to reduce the body's immune functions. Due to this, the kidney tissue will be damaged significantly less. As a rule, glucocorticosteroid hormones (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone) or immunosuppressants (Sulfasalazine, Methotrexate) are used for this purpose;
- Taking nephroprotective drugs. ACE inhibitors and ARBs, in addition to their protective effect on the heart, have a similar effect on the kidneys. By improving the condition of their microvessels, they prevent further damage and remove hemodialysis from the patient.
Most diseases that can cause fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity are chronic and practically incurable. Despite this, a person can control their course with adequate treatment. The recommendations listed above are one component of such treatment, which can slow down kidney damage and increase life expectancy.
FAQ
Question:
Is it possible to cure abdominal ascites in oncology?
This is a rather complicated question. Removing the liquid is, in most cases, not difficult. This procedure is carried out according to the principles described above. However, eliminating a malignant tumor is much more difficult. At stages 1-2, surgical treatment followed by a course of special therapy is possible. In late stages, the only option is chemotherapy, which is not always effective.
Question:
Is it dangerous to use hormones and immunosuppressants in the treatment of kidney disease?
These drugs have side effects such as decreased immunity. This makes it easier for infection to enter the body. However, without the use of these medications, destruction of a vital organ may occur, which will inevitably result in death. The benefits of hormones and immunosuppressants are greater than the risks.
Question:
How often does fluid accumulate in the abdomen due to blockage of lymph vessels?
Question:
Are there folk remedies for the treatment of abdominal ascites?
Definitely not. Ascites is a sign of advanced disease of one of the internal organs. Every person who suspects this pathology is strongly recommended to go to the hospital and see a therapist.
Question:
Are there any specific treatment options for hypothyroidism?
Removal of fluid from the abdomen is carried out according to the principles described above. Simultaneously with these measures, doctors are trying to support the function of the thyroid gland with the help of Thyroxine medications.
Question:
What is the prognosis for life with ascites?
Each case is individual and depends on the specific disease. Therefore, only your attending physician can make an adequate prognosis.
