Can serious illnesses be "heard"? Tapping your belly may reveal warning signs

Turns out, the sounds your stomach makes when uncomfortable might be health warning signals. Recently, a doctor shared that by simply "tapping" the abdomen, you can preliminarily assess its condition. If the belly makes a certain type of sound, it could indicate ascites (abdominal fluid buildup), which might be a sign of serious underlying conditions like liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, or cancer.

Tapping Your Belly to Self-Test for Serious Illness: This Sound Indicates Ascites

Gastroenterologist and hepatologist Dr. Qin Ching-wang pointed out on a health program that doctors use "percussion" on the abdomen to assess a patient's condition. He explained that based on the sound from abdominal percussion, you can initially distinguish the root of the problem:

1. Bloating/Hollow Sound:
   • Symptom: The belly sounds like "tapping a balloon," feeling bloated and swollen.
   • Cause: Eating too fast, consuming gas-producing foods, swallowing too much air.
   • Management: Often improves by adjusting dietary habits and moderate exercise.
2. Ascites/Dull Sound:
   • Symptom: The belly sounds like "patting a watermelon," feeling solid and dull.
   • Cause: Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, often a sign of disease.
   • Management: Seek medical attention promptly for professional diagnosis and treatment.

In addition to percussion sounds, the "bowel sounds" produced by the intestines themselves are also important indicators:

• Hyperactive Bowel Sounds:
  • Symptom: More than 10 bowel sounds per minute, high-pitched.
  • Cause: Possibly "hyperactive bowel function."
  • Management: If accompanied by severe abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits, etc., seek medical help quickly.
• Reduced Bowel Sounds:
  • Symptom: Bowel sounds become fewer, even only heard once every few minutes.
  • Cause: May indicate weakened intestinal function.
  • Management: If accompanied by severe abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits, etc., seek medical help quickly.

Case Study: Woman in 60s with Abdomen Swollen Like Pregnancy, Diagnosed with Late-Stage Liver Cancer

Qin shared a case of a woman in her 60s who sought medical help for persistent abdominal bloating for over a month. Her weight hadn't increased significantly, but her abdomen was as swollen as if pregnant. Initially thinking it was constipation, she took stool softeners but the bloating remained, accompanied by intermittent "gurgling" bowel sounds.

Qin asked the patient to lie down and performed a "shifting dullness" test. When the patient changed positions, he observed changes in the percussion sound to determine if free fluid, especially over 1000ml of ascites, was present in the abdominal cavity. Subsequent examinations confirmed that her liver was covered with tumors of various sizes, leading to a diagnosis of late-stage liver cancer.

He emphasized that there are three main causes of ascites:

1. End-stage liver cirrhosis
2. Deteriorating kidney function
3. Late-stage cancer of abdominal or pelvic organs (e.g., liver cancer, ovarian cancer)

5 Major Factors Easily Leading to Liver Cirrhosis

According to Hong Kong's Department of Health information, liver cirrhosis results from long-term liver damage, leading to increased fibrous tissue and changes in the liver's lobular structure, causing hardening. The main causes include:

• Alcohol abuse
• Viral infection (e.g., chronic viral hepatitis)
• Heavy use of certain medications
• Long-term exposure to certain environmental toxins
• Heredity or other diseases (e.g., metabolic diseases, bile duct obstruction)

How to Delay Liver Cirrhosis?

The Department of Health states that liver cirrhosis can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes to reduce further liver damage and improve the condition. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.

If diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, patients can also alleviate the condition through:

• Quitting smoking and alcohol
• Maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding excessive fatty foods
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Regular, appropriate exercise under healthcare professional guidance
• Avoiding mental stress