Ascites is a medical condition that is characterized by the accumulation of large amounts of fluid inside the abdominal cavity. As a result, the stomach becomes swollen, giving the concerned individual a feeling of fullness, heaviness and discomfort.It also causes abdominal pain and bloating. The condition also extends to the legs which get swollen with the excess water. With time, the individual would start facing breathing problems (due to increased pressure placed on the diaphragm) and start experiencing heart palpitations as well.
Best Home Remedies For Ascites
Ascites is usually caused by medical conditions like liver cirrhosis, TB, thrombosis, caner, aneurysm and other conditions related to the heart, liver and kidneys. As such, it would be considered wise to get the condition treated medically with the help of a qualified physician. However, there are certain home remedies that would help alleviate the condition and its symptoms to a great extent. These include:
1. Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd can provide effective relief from Ascites and its side effects. Remove the skin of the bitter gourd and de-seed it. Crush the bitter gourd and grind it to form paste. Extract the juice from the resultant paste and mix it with equal amount of water to form a juice. Drink this juice at least thrice a day for a week or so until the symptoms of the condition dissipate [1].
2. Chickpeas
Regular consumption of chickpeas can help treat Ascites effectively. Soak a cup full of chickpeas in water overnight. Strain the water out the next morning, add some salt and pepper for taste, and eat the chickpeas. Do this continuously every morning for a week or so for desirable results [2].
3. Fenugreek Seeds
Follow the same procedure as above for this remedy as well. Soak about 3 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water overnight. Strain the water the next morning and drink it on an empty stomach to get quick relief from Ascites and its symptoms [3].
4. Garlic
The inherent properties of garlic make it a very effective remedy for several illnesses, including ascites. Grind a few cloves of raw garlic to extract about half a teaspoon of juice. Mix this juice in 125ml of water and stir nicely. Drink this juice twice every day for a few weeks in order to get quick and effective relief from ascites [4].
5. Radish
Radishes are considered as very effective home remedies for ascites. Grind some radish leaves to form paste and extract its juice. Mix this juice with equal amounts of water, and drink the concoction once every day for a week or so [5].
6. Melons
Eating melon every day can help fight off ascites and its symptoms effectively. Melon aids in stimulating digestion and restoring fluid balance in the body. This in turn would reduce the amount of fluid collected in the abdominal cavity. So make sure you eat melon every day in order to curb ascites and its symptoms effectively [6].
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8. Onions
Onions act as powerful diuretics that flush out harmful toxins and impurities from the body, including excess water. Add as many onions as you can to the dishes that you cook daily. This would help your body fight off the condition from inside. Doing so would drain the excess water stored in your body via urination [8].
9. Parsley
Like onions, parsley is a natural diuretic that can help treat ascites and its symptoms quickly. In addition to flushing out harmful toxins from the body, mainly the kidneys, parsley would cleanse the blood as well. So make it a point to add plenty of fresh parsley to the meals that you eat on a daily basis [9].
10. Liquids
It is considered wise to drink fluids like buttermilk and carrot juice which help to revitalize the energy stores in the body, without necessarily accumulating in the abdominal cavity like water. Drink at least one glass of carrot juice and buttermilk a day for desirable results [10].
11. Potassium Rich Foods
Individuals with ascites are usually asked to refrain from adding too much salt to their meals. Salt aka sodium can lead to water retention in the body, thereby aggravating ascites and it symptoms. On the other hand, they are also encouraged to include more potassium in their meals as potassium helps the body excrete the excess water in the system via urination. So if you suffer from ascites, make sure to add more potassium rich foods (like sunflower seeds, leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits etc.) to the meals that you eat every day [11].
12. Water
Although many individuals feel that drinking water would lead to water retention, it is a known fact that drinking at least 2 liters of water every day can help flush out harmful toxins in addition to promoting proper kidney function (removing excess water from the body). So be sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to keep water retention and ascites at bay [12].
