Ascites (better known as abdominal dropsy) is a pathological condition characterized by fluid buildup in the abdomen. The disease is not an independent disease, it serves as a symptom of a malfunction of some internal organs. Treatment of dropsy of the abdominal cavity in humans requires an integrated approach. The patient must not only responsibly comply with all the recommendations of the doctor regarding taking medications, but also follow a strict diet. With the ineffectiveness of conservative methods of treatment or in severe cases, surgical intervention is indicated.
Pathogenesis
Normally, a small amount of fluid is released in the abdominal cavity of a person. It is necessary so that the intestinal loops do not stick together and glide unhindered. In this case, the released plasma fluid must be absorbed by their walls. Under the influence of various provoking factors, this mechanism fails. As a result, the released fluid is not absorbed by the walls of the intestine, but accumulates in the abdominal cavity. In this case, it is customary to talk about the development of ascites.
Dropsy of the abdominal cavity in humans is of the following types:
- Transistor. The volume of fluid in the abdomen does not exceed 0.5 liters. This is the earliest stage of ascites, it is not accompanied by any symptoms. In addition, with palpation, it is also not possible to detect pathology.
- Moderate. In the abdominal cavity is up to 4 liters of fluid. The ailment is accompanied by severe discomfort, the patient’s stomach is very sagging. Ascites is detected during examination and palpation.
- Tense. It is characterized by the accumulation of a large volume of liquid (on average 10 l). The abdomen and sides are very sagging, the internal organs are compressed.
- Chylous. It is a complication of the last degree of cirrhosis. An increase in the abdomen occurs due to the accumulation in the abdominal cavity of a white liquid containing fat cells.
The surgeon is involved in the treatment of ascites. It is to him that you must contact when the first alarming symptoms occur. The doctor will provide information that the dropsy of the abdominal cavity is for the disease, will conduct diagnostic measures and draw up the most effective treatment regimen.
Etiology
As mentioned above, the disease is not an independent disease. Dropsy of the abdominal cavity is a symptom that may indicate the development of the following pathologies:
- Cirrhosis.
- Lymphomas
- Leukemia.
- Carcinomatosis.
- Peritonitis.
- Pericarditis.
- Heart failure.
- Myxedema.
- Tumors or ovarian cancer.
- Badda-Chiari syndrome.
- Urolithiasis.
- Pleural edema.
- Rhesus conflict of mother and fetus during pregnancy.
- Tumors of an abdominal organ (including malignant).
- Diseases of the intestines, stomach, or gall bladder.
In addition, the cause of dropsy of the abdominal cavity in humans is unbalanced nutrition. The risk group includes people practicing fasting and long-term diets.
Ascites is diagnosed not only in adults, it can also be congenital in nature. In this case, the cause of dropsy of the abdominal cavity is most often a hemolytic pathology or latent hemorrhage.
Clinical manifestations
Symptoms of the disease are pronounced. In a person, dropsy of the abdominal cavity is manifested in the form of a pathological increase in the abdomen in volume. However, this symptom may indicate the development of pancreatitis, and the accumulation of feces. If in the standing position the abdomen is very drooping, and in the supine position it literally spreads to the sides, this clearly indicates the development of ascites.
Thus, edema is the main symptom of dropsy. Other symptoms of ascites:
- Cough.
- Dyspnea. It is especially difficult to breathe while lying down.
- As the abdomen increases in volume, the intensity of pain in the pelvis increases.
- Frequent urination. The act itself is accompanied by painful sensations. The volume of urine is not increased.
- Heart rhythm disturbance.
- Frequent episodes of belching and heartburn.
- The presence of hemorrhoids.
- Bulging navel.
- Drowsiness.
- General weakness.
- Apathy.
- Violation of the discharge of feces.
In severe cases, pain is constantly felt in the abdomen. It interferes not only with motor activity, but also with breathing. The patient's blood circulation is disturbed, due to which the limbs and face begin to swell. It is important to understand that as ascites progresses, the course and underlying disease worsen, which served as a provoking factor.
Diagnostics
If signs of ascites occur, you should immediately contact a surgeon. It is important to remember that as the volume of pathological fluid increases, the functioning of internal organs deteriorates more and more. This, in turn, is a danger not only to health, but also to human life.
Dropsy of the abdominal cavity can be diagnosed based on the results of a comprehensive examination, including:
- Percussion abdomen. In other words, it is tapping. If the patient is lying, with dropsy, a sound resembling that which occurs when striking an empty box is heard. In the area of the sides, it is dull. If the patient is in an upright position, a percussion sound is determined at the top (as when striking an empty box). He’s stupid in the lower abdomen.
- Palpation. During it, the doctor assesses the condition of the liver and spleen, as well as the severity of the pain syndrome.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
- MRI
- ECG.
- Echocardiography.
- X-ray examination.
- Dopplerography.
- Laparocentesis (puncture of the abdominal wall in order to collect a small amount of pathological fluid).
In addition, the surgeon can also prescribe laboratory tests (blood and urine tests, less often a liver biopsy) in order to obtain the most complete picture of the patient’s health status.
Drug treatment
The treatment regimen depends on the severity of ascites. If, against the background of the pathology, the patient has heart or respiratory failure, measures are indicated to reduce the amount of accumulated fluid. If a person’s condition does not pose a danger to life, the fight against the underlying pathology comes to the fore.
In all cases, treatment of dropsy of the abdominal cavity involves taking diuretics. Diuretics help reduce ascitic fluid volume. As a rule, doctors prescribe the following funds:
- "Furosemide."
- Mannitol.
- "Spironolactone."
The dosage regimen is determined individually. The doctor should take into account the fact that no more than 400 ml of fluid should be excreted per day. Otherwise, there is a risk of dehydration.
The treatment regimen for dropsy of the abdominal cavity in humans may also include the administration or intravenous administration of the following agents:
- Drugs whose active components help strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Most often, doctors prescribe Diosmin.
- Means that contribute to the retention of fluid in the vascular bed. Examples of drugs: Polyglukin, Gelatin.
- Albumin-containing medications (for liver and kidney pathologies).
- Antibiotics. Most often prescribed if the underlying cause is peritonitis.
Thus, the treatment regimen directly depends on the underlying disease.
Surgical treatment
If the pressure indicator in the abdominal cavity is so large that the functioning of vital organs is disrupted, laparocentesis is indicated. Thus, this procedure can be performed not only for diagnostic, but also for therapeutic purposes.
First, the surgeon punctures the abdominal wall, after which a catheter is installed in the cavity, connected to a container that will be filled with fluid. The volume of pumping of the latter depends on the severity of the disease and the general condition of the patient.
Power Features
A diet for dropsy of the abdomen is one of the main points of treatment. Nutrition should be such that the body receives a sufficient amount of nutritional components, but the course of the disease does not worsen.
It is recommended to include the following products in the diet:
- Meat and fish of low-fat varieties.
- Fruits.
- Vegetables.
- Skim cheese.
- Wheat groats.
- Greens.
- Compote.
- Kissel.
It is necessary to completely exclude from the menu:
- Meat and fish of fatty varieties.
- Fried food.
- Spice.
- Smoked meats.
- Alcohol-containing drinks.
- Coffee.
- Tea.
Dishes need to be salted minimally. In addition, persons suffering from ascites need to limit the amount of fluid consumed to 0.5-1 liters.
Folk methods
The use of non-traditional means helps to remove excess fluid from the body. It is important to remember that alternative treatment is only an auxiliary measure, it will not save the root cause.
The most effective recipes:
- Take 40 g of pre-chopped parsley. Pour raw materials 1 liter of boiling water. Let it brew throughout the day. Take 4 times a day, 20 ml before a meal.
- Take 1 tbsp. pre-ground leaves of coltsfoot. Pour them with 250 ml of water. Put the container on fire. Boil for 10 minutes. Cool, strain. Take 10 ml three times a day.
With ascites, it is recommended to drink compotes. Apricot is considered the most useful. It not only promotes the elimination of fluid, but also retains potassium in the body.
Forecast
With timely access to a doctor, he is usually favorable. Ignoring the warning signs leads to the development of complications.
Possible consequences:
- Ascites peritonitis.
- Hydrothorax.
- Heart and respiratory failure.
- Diaphragmatic and umbilical hernia.
- Intestinal obstruction.
In severe cases, the lack of treatment leads to the death of the patient.
Prevention
Specific measures to prevent the development of the disease do not exist. It is enough to treat all identified diseases in a timely manner and if alarming symptoms occur, immediately contact a medical institution.
Finally
Dropsy of the abdominal cavity (ascites) is a pathological condition in which a large amount of fluid accumulates in the stomach, which is normally released in a small volume and absorbed by the walls of the intestine. The disease is not an independent disease. Ascites always develops against the background of a course of another pathology. Treatment of dropsy of the abdominal cavity involves drug therapy and diet. In severe cases, surgery is performed.