Jalodara is the Sanskrit term for which modern disease term?

• A. Jaundice
• B. Peritoneal effusion
• C. Ascites
• D. Abdominal hernia

Answer: (C)

Jalodara refers to water accumulating in the abdomen, meaning fluid collects in the peritoneal cavity and causes abdominal distension. In modern medicine this is known as ascites. Ascites arises when factors like portal hypertension from liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis), heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, infections, or cancers lead fluid to accumulate in the abdominal space. Jaundice, by contrast, is yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes due to high bilirubin, not fluid buildup, so it isn’t jalodara. Peritoneal effusion is a broader term for fluid in the abdomen, but ascites is the specific clinical syndrome most commonly described by jalodara. Abdominal hernia is a protrusion of organ contents through a weakness in the abdominal wall, not fluid accumulation.