ASCITES TREATMENTS

Reclining minimizes the amount of salt the kidneys absorb, so treatment generally starts with bed rest and a low-salt diet. Urine-producing drugs (diuretics) 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.

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.

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.

ASCITES ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

Dietary alterations, focused on reducing salt intake, should be a part of the treatment. In less severe cases, herbal diuretics like dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) can help eliminate excess fluid and provide potassium. Potassium-rich foods like low-fat yogurt, mackerel, cantaloupe, and baked potatoes help balance excess sodium intake.

ASCITES RELATED ITEMS

	ASCITES DEFINITION
	ASCITES DESCRIPTION
	ASCITES CAUSES
	ASCITES SYMPTOMS
	ASCITES DIAGNOSIS
	ASCITES TREATMENTS
	ASCITES PROGNOSIS
	ASCITES INFORMATION
	ASCITES PREVENTION