Ascites and its Ayurvedic treatment

 What is Ascites?

Accumulation of fluid inside the abdomen (belly) is called ascites. 

Ascites is the most common problem in patients who are suffering from cirrhosis (scarring), and it usually develops when the liver is starting to fail.

In general, the development of ascites indicates ascites liver disease in 80% of patients, and they should be referred for consideration of liver transplantation.

What causes Ascites?

Liver cirrhosis ascites is the most common cause of and many underlying diseases that can be responsible for causing ascites, heart failure, kidney failure, infection or cancer can also be the cause of ascites. 

When liver cirrhosis and ascites occurs, blood flow through the liver is blocked and causes an increase in pressure in the portal vein that delivers blood from the digestive organs to the liver.

This increase in the pressure causes a decrease in liver function, and this condition is called portal hypertension. 

Ascites occurs when this portal hypertension develops. The kidneys cannot work properly and cannot get rid of the body of enough sodium through urine. This urine gets accumulated as fluid in the abdomen, causing ascites.

What are the Symptoms of Ascites?

Most of the ascites signs and symptoms include abdominal distension, rapid weight gain, swelling of ankles and shortness of breath from accumulation of fluid around the lungs. Additional mild ascites symptoms may occur and are listed below.

• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Tiredness
• Breathless
• The urgency to pass urine
• Constipation

Retention of fluid in stomach symptoms causes pressure on other internal organs, which often results in discomfort. It may also cause bloating, abdominal pain, difficulty in walking and back pain.

What are the Risk Factors for Ascites?

Generally, it is observed that the development of ascites in the patients is caused by liver cirrhosis, and in such cases, the patients are recommended liver transplantation.

Common risk factors for the development of ascites include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcoholism/alcohol abuse.

Some other diseases that can lead to fluid buildup are congestive heart failure and kidney failure.

Other risk factors that are related to the other underlying conditions are congestive heart failure, malignancy, and kidney disease.

How to Diagnose Ascites?

Some diagnostic tests for ascites that you may receive include:

1. Ultrasound

2. CT scan

3. MRI

4. Blood tests

5. Laparoscopy

6. Angiography

What is an Ayurvedic View of Ascites?

In Ayurveda, ascites can be correlated with jalodara. It is a type of udararoga in which there is an aggravation of Vata dosha which gets accumulated in udar (abdomen) between twaka (skin) as well as mamsa (muscles).

What is the Ayurvedic Treatment for Ascites?

Panchakarma therapies:

Chandigarh Ayurved Centre offers effective ways to cure ascites through panchakarma therapies.

Therapies that are recommended in ascites are Niruh vasti, Patra potli pind Sweda, and Anuvasana vasti and are done by the experienced therapists.

Such therapy is an effective treatment for the root cause of ascites.

1) Patra potli pinda sweda

It is a classical method that has been used in Ayurveda for many ages that provides heat by using leaves of medicinal plants.

This procedure provides relief from stiffness, inflammation, & improves the blood circulation.

2) Niruh vasti

It is a procedure of giving enema using herbal decoction which balances the metabolism of the body and improves the complexion.

3) Anuvasana vasti

Anuvasana vasti is a procedure of giving enema using herbal medicated oil or ghee through anal route.

It provides nourishment to the body, improves digestion, beneficial in chronic constipation and deal with abdominal distension and ascites.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Ascites

Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides a wonderful kit in treating ascites which is known as the Ascites Care kit.

This kit comprises of gokhru capsule, detox premium powder, panchsakar churna, sheet dhara syrup, trikatu churna, and gokhru churna. These formulations are very helpful in balancing the three doshas.

1. Gokhshura Capsule

Gokhshura capsule is pure and natural diuretic medicine for ascites which is very effective in ascites as it has an anti-inflammatory property that reduces the inflammation.

These ayurvedic capsules for ascites are formulated with the pure extract of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). It also eliminates harmful toxins from the body.

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

2. Detox Premium Powder:

Detox premium powder contains various herbo-mineral ingredients like Prawal pishti, Akik pishti, Giloy satva, Kamdudha ras, Moti pishti, Jahar mohra, Gandhak rasayan, Shukta pishti, Yavakshaar, Tal sindoor, Sudhyog tab, Shankh bhasm, Sutshekhar ras, Shwet parpati, etc.

As the name suggests, it helps in the removal of toxins from the whole body. It also provides strengthen to the body, and helps in maintaining the general health of the body.

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

3. Panchsakar Churna:

It is classical churna which is very effective for constipation patients as it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and laxative properties.

This herbal churna comprises of various ingredients like Balaharitaki, Shunthi, Shatapushpa, Swarnapatri, Shatapushpa, and Saindhav lavana. It also provides relief in symptoms of ascites.

Recommended Dosage: Take one 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 a mixture of three Ayurvedic herbs like Marich (Piper nigrum), Saunth (Zingiber officinale), and Pippali (Piper longum).

These tablets improve the digestion and eliminate the kapha dosha from the body. It also supports respiratory functions and removes 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.

Some Healthy Tips and Diet

Here are some of the healthy tips & diets that helpful in ascites patients.The tips that are mentioned below give wonderful results:

1. Avoid alcohol consumption.

2. Limits the amount of fluid intake daily

3. Limit the salt intake daily

4. Use ginger as it improves digestion and removes the feeling of abdominal discomfort, stiffness, pain, etc.

5. Drink garlic juice mixed with water as it treats ascites.

6. Drink fresh bitter gourd juice mixed with water daily three times in a day.

7. Crush fennel seeds and boil it in hot water as fennel seeds reduce inflammation and bacteria causing bloating.

8. Eat healthy food daily.

9. Avoid processed, fried, & stale food.

10. Do exercise daily as this helps in developing abdominal muscle.