Ascites
Ascites is the collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing abdominal swellings. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, distension and discomfort, increase of weight, and shortness of Breath. It commonly causes bacterial peritonitis.
Causes include Liver Cirrhosis, Cancer, Heart disease, Tuberculosis, Pancreatitis and blockage of the Hepatic Vein. Liver Cirrhosis is the most common cause in the developed world.
Diagnosis is based on examination along with Ultrasound or CT scan.
Treatment with modern medicine involves low salt diet, diuretic and draining the fluid.
In Traditional Medicine, it is universally viewed as accumulation of Water or Damp/Phlegm. In some cases it is also associated with Yang Deficiency (which allows Water/Phlegm/Damp to accumulate). In addition, TCM views some cases as obstruction by Blood Stasis.
In the treatment of Ascites, often Hydragogue Cathartics are used to pass water through the bowels These medicines must only be used in strong individuals and are not suitable for use in the weak. These same Cathartics have sometimes been applied externally to the abdomen to avoid internal irritation.
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Western Tradition Potion for Ascites Powder for Ascites (Isaac) Powder to Purge in Ascites (Nicholas) Powder of Gum Lacca Lesser (Dialacca Minor) (Mes.) Powder of Gum Lacca Greater (Dialacca Maj.) (Mes.) Powder of Gum Lacca Lesser of Rhasis (Dialacca) Troches of Gum Lacca (Trochisci de Lacca) (Mesue) Pills for Ascites (Renodeus) Pills for Ascites with Fever (Renodeus) Tincture of Bees Mandala of the Sun (Se bru nye dkyil) (Tibetan) Mild Medicine (Tibetan Medicine) |
TCM Classification Purge Heat & Water Accumulation Da Cheng Qi Tang Zhou Che Wan Shi Zao Tang Damp Obstruction Wu Ling San Wu Pi San Fang Ji Huang Ei Tang Wei Ling Tang Zhen Wu Tang Cold Obstruction / Yang Deficiency Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan Zhen Wu Tang Blood Stasis Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang |
Sample Formula
1. External Formulas:
i. Euphorbia Gan Sui with Licorice applied as a plaster to the navel
ii. Xiaozhang Tie (a medicated plaster of TCM
Euphorbia Gan Sui
Rhubarb (Da Huang)
Radish seed (Lai Fu Zi)
Aloeswood (Chen Xiang)
Clove (Ding Xiang)
Borneo Camphor (Bing Pian)
Artificial Musk (Ren Gong She Xiang)
This has been clinically studied and found effective in Cirrhotic Ascites. (See here)