Health News
When is a big stomach more than visible proof of eating way too much fatty food? When it is an accumulation of fluid, and not fat, that is causing the abdominal distension. It is called ?ascites,? a medical condition for an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which is the gap between the wall of the abdomen and the organs that are contained within the abdomen.
?Ascites is a symptom of a disease. It is not a disease itself,? said H. Franklin Herlong, M.D. Dr. Herlong presented a talk on ?Management of Ascites? at Sinai?s Grand Rounds last week.
Dr. Herlong, a visiting professor from Johns Hopkins, is a gastroenterologist. ?Ascites is one of the most frustrating symptoms that can dramatically alter a patient?s life,? Dr. Herlong said. Ascites is usually a symptom when a patient has cirrhosis and severe liver disease. ?Fluid leaks out of the liver and that is how ascites is formed,? he said. ?Cirrhosis is the most common cause of ascites.? However, ascites may be a symptom of other serious illnesses including congestive heart failure.
Ascites can be managed but it is important to treat the underlying disease itself, he cautioned. Treatments include salt restriction and properly prescribed diuretics. People who can manage their ascites will be able to eat better, move around more easily and probably improve their self-image. ?Patients feel better,? Dr. Herlong said. And that is the best reason for managing ascites.
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Health News
When a Big Stomach is More Than a Big Stomach
When is a big stomach more than visible proof of eating way too much fatty food? When it is an accumulation of fluid, and not fat, that is causing the abdominal distension. It is called ?ascites,? a medical condition for an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which is the gap between the wall of the abdomen and the organs that are contained within the abdomen.
?Ascites is a symptom of a disease. It is not a disease itself,? said H. Franklin Herlong, M.D. Dr. Herlong presented a talk on ?Management of Ascites? at Sinai?s Grand Rounds last week.
Dr. Herlong, a visiting professor from Johns Hopkins, is a gastroenterologist. ?Ascites is one of the most frustrating symptoms that can dramatically alter a patient?s life,? Dr. Herlong said. Ascites is usually a symptom when a patient has cirrhosis and severe liver disease. ?Fluid leaks out of the liver and that is how ascites is formed,? he said. ?Cirrhosis is the most common cause of ascites.? However, ascites may be a symptom of other serious illnesses including congestive heart failure.
Ascites can be managed but it is important to treat the underlying disease itself, he cautioned. Treatments include salt restriction and properly prescribed diuretics. People who can manage their ascites will be able to eat better, move around more easily and probably improve their self-image. ?Patients feel better,? Dr. Herlong said. And that is the best reason for managing ascites.
-Sandra Crockett
- Biologics: The New Frontier
It is not a pleasant subject, but inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a fact of life for many people. That's especially tough when you are a child. ?There are about four million people in the U.S. with IBD,? says Ritu Walia, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist...
- Obesity Poses Challenges
This country faces many challenges and a big one ? no pun intended ? is obesity. ?Obesity has become an epidemic,? says Lee Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Kaplan, a visiting professor from Massachusetts General Hospital and director of the MGH Weight Center,...
- A Primer On Gaucher's Disease
Are you or someone you love affected by Gaucher's disease? A genetic disease, Gaucher's is caused by the deficiency of an enzyme that is the result of a genetic mutation. Without the enzyme, lipid (a fat) accumulates in the body and can cause...
- Congestive Heart Failure Management Program At Northwest Hospital
Are you suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF)? The Northwest Hospital Congestive Heart Failure Management Program can help you manage your health so that you will feel better and improve your quality of life. Heart failure is a common condition...
- Adult Hydrocephalus Center At Sinai Hospital
The Adult Hydrocephalus Center at Sinai Hospital specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and hydrocephalus diagnosed in young and middle-aged adults. Additionally, the trained medical staff in the...