What Are The Symptoms Of Ascites?
I have a question or two about ascities and liver disease.
I am a heavy drinker as of late (1/2) pint of Vodka a day plus I drink several 16.0 oz of bottled water a day.
I seem to have no signs of liver damage/problems as my urine is the correct color, my stool movements are the correct color etc.
No stomach pains no jaundice etc. I feel full after eating only a small meal but I attribute that to all the liquids I drink.
I get literally no excecise as I am at my PC about 10 hours a day.
This particular bout of drinking has been going on now for about 7 months and last year it also lasted about 7 months.
Is it possible its just because I am fat and lazy?
I know when I quit drinking before my stomach went back to normal size and my appetite returned to normal.
Oh..I also find it hard to breath after a short walk but I attribute that to smoking 2 packs of cigs a day for the past 50 years.
Following risk factors for your actual health problems...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am really sorry for the situation you are in.
You are saying to:
- be drinking vodka on daily basis,
- smoking 2 packs of cigs/day
- no exercise (staying at PC about 10 hours a day)
- be fat and lazy
All these are risk factors for various diseases including:
- cardio-vascular
- GI problems like GERD/gastritis/ulcer
- fatty liver
although no jaundice or stomach pains.
Feeling full after eating a small amount of food is due to:
- drinking alcohol on daily basis
- smoking
- lack of exercise
- gastritis (stomach hyperacidity)
- bowel problems: alteration of intestinal flora, candida infection, etc.
I advise to:
- try to cut off alcohol and smoking as it will improve your actual health problems
- take simethicone to ease fullness after eating
- take probiotics to optimize intestinal flora
- try to take short walkings after work or during breaks
If you find it hard to breath after a short walk, then, this is suggestive for possible heart problems. I advise to run further cardiac tests to rule them out:
- ECG
- echocardiogram
- stress test
- holter monitoring
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Albana
So does it suggest that I have p0ssible liver damage?
Possibly fatty liver;abdominal ultrasound&liver function test to determine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
To my opinion, it might be fatty liver. However, further evaluations are needed to confirm it:
- abdominal ultrasound
- liver function test
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Will my symptoms be relieved if I stop the drinking and perhaps be back to normal?
Yes, your symptoms will get relieved if stop smoking&alcohol
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Yes, definitely, your current symptoms will get reversed if you stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
Obviously, eating healthy and more physical activity like walking for example, will also help.
Please do not forget to check your heart and run other tests for gi problems as mentioned earlier.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
I have a follow up question,
For the past 2 days my stool has been a combination of regular brown mixed with a rather dark green! Is this normal?
I do not take any meds of any sort but have been drinking a couple of small bottles of blue gatoraide.
I dont drink gatoraide as a rule but got tired of so much water drinking I thought the gatoraide might be a welcome addition once in awhile! Could the coloring in the gatoriade be the cause?
I am sending a pic of my stomach and wondered if you thought it was normal for an old aged out of shape man?
Blue coloring of gatorate a possible cause to green stool as following....
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
1. The changes in color of the stool (turning into green) will depend on:
- foods/drinks you consume especially if additional additives or coloring have been used
- consumption of green leaves
- increase in bowel movements
If your bowel movements have been regular, then, the dark green color of your stool is due to blue coloring used in blue gatorate. Try not to take for a few days and see the changes in the color of your stool.
2. With regards to the picture you sent, it is well noted that your stomach appearance is out of shape. That is contributed to fat deposition due to many factors:
- lack of physical activity
- consumption of alcohol
- following not a healthy diet
Everything will get back to normal appearance if you follow the changes in your diet and lifestyle regimen as mentioned earlier.
Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Albana