Ascites is the formation of an abnormal amount of fluid inside the abdomen (belly). This is a common problem in patients with cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. Approximately 80% of patients with liver cirrhosis develop ascites.

1. What are ascites?
Ascites is the formation of an abnormal amount of fluid inside the abdomen (belly). This is a
common problem in patients with cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. Approximately 80% of
patients with liver cirrhosis develop ascites. Ascites means the formation of fluid in the
stomach, often due to severe liver disease. Excess fluid bloats your belly. Medical definition
of ascites (peritoneal) Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cavity. Ascites is caused by a
variety of diseases and conditions, for example cirrhosis of the liver, cancer in the abdomen,
circulatory failure, and tuberculosis.
What are ascites symptoms?
Ascites is often accompanied by fullness, swelling of the belly, and rapid weight gain. Other
symptoms are usually:
Difficulty breathing
Nausea
Swelling of the legs and ankles.
Indigestion
Vomiting
Acidity
Lack of appetite
Fever

2. Hernia
If you have a combination of these symptoms, see your doctor. If you have ascites, it is often
a sign of liver failure. It occurs most often with cirrhosis.
What Causes Ascites
Ascites is most often caused by scarring of the liver, also known as cirrhosis. The spots
increase pressure within the blood vessels of the liver. The increased pressure forces the
fluid into the abdominal cavity, resulting in the formation of ascites.
Diseases that cause severe liver damage can lead to ascites. In addition to:
Chronic hepatitis C or B infection
Alcohol abuse for many years
Fatty liver disease (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH)
People with certain abdominal cancers develop ascites. These include cancers of the
appendix, colon, ovaries, uterus, pancreas, and liver.
Other conditions that can cause this problem are:
Coagulation of liver veins (portal vein thrombosis)
Circulatory heart failure
Pancreatitis
Thickening and scarring of the sac-like covering of the heart (pericarditis)
Kidney dialysis can also be associated with ascites.
Risk factors for Ascites
Liver damage is the biggest risk factor for ascites. Some causes of liver damage are:
Cirrhosis
Hepatitis B oc
History of alcoholism
Other conditions that can increase your risk of escalation:
Cancer of the ovary, pancreas, liver or endometrium
Heart or kidney failure
Pancreatitis
Tuberculosis
Hypothyroidism
When to call your doctor

3. Symptoms of ascites may appear slowly or suddenly, depending on the cause of the fluid
formation.
Symptoms do not always indicate an emergency, but you should speak to your doctor if you
experience the following:
An enlarged or bloated abdomen
Sudden weight gain
Difficulty breathing while sleeping
Decreased appetite
Abdominal pain
Swelling
Nausea and vomiting
Acidity
Be aware that ascending symptoms may be due to other conditions.
Diagnosis of ascites
Determining promotions requires several steps. Your doctor will first check for swelling in
your abdomen.
They then use imaging or another testing method for the liquid. The tests he performs
include:
Ultrasound
Computed tomography
Magnetic resonance
Blood test
Laparoscopy
Angiography
The doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. They can perform a
variety of tests, including blood tests, ultrasound, or CT scan.
If they think you have ascites, your doctor will use a needle to draw fluid from your
abdomen and test it. This process is called paracentesis. This will help your doctor find out
what is causing your condition so they can treat it properly.
In most cases of ascites, your doctor will refer you to a liver specialist, who can discuss a liver
transplant.

4. Treatments options for Ascites
Your doctor may prescribe "water pills," also known as diuretics, to help remove excess fluid
from your body.
Two of the most common urinations:
Furosemide (LASIX)
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
They both help your kidneys excrete more sodium and water.
If changes to your diet and prescribed urination don't help, or if your symptoms are severe,
your doctor may need to use paracentesis to remove large amounts of excess fluid through a
needle inserted into your stomach. When you are done with this, you should follow a diet
low in salt and fluids, otherwise the liquid will come back.
If these treatments don't work, you may need surgery to place a shunt in your liver or
replace it entirely.
Treatment for promotions depends on the cause of the
condition.
Urination
Diuretics are commonly used to treat ascites and are effective for most people with this
condition. These drugs increase the amount of salt and water the body leaves, which
reduces the pressure on the veins that surround the liver.
While urinating, your doctor may want to check your blood chemistry. You probably need to
reduce your alcohol and salt intake. Learn more about the low sodium diet.
Paracentesis
In this procedure, a long, thin needle is used to remove excess fluid. It is inserted through
the skin into the abdominal cavity. There is a risk of infection, so antibiotics may be
prescribed for those undergoing paracentesis.
This treatment is generally used when the ascites is severe or recurrent. Urination does not
work even in such late cases.
Surgery
In severe cases, a permanent tube called a shunt is implanted in the body. Divert blood flow
around the liver.

5. Your doctor may recommend a liver transplant if the ascites does not respond to treatment.
It is commonly used for end-stage liver disease.
Ascites Complications
Problems associated with promotions:
Abdominal pain
Pleural effusion or "water in the lungs"; May cause shortness of breath.
Like hernias and inguinal hernias.
Bacterial infection such as acute bacterial peritonitis (SBP)
Hepatic syndrome, a rare type of progressive kidney failure
To carry out
You can't avoid the climbs. However, you can reduce the risk of climbing by protecting your
liver. Try to follow these healthy habits:
Drink alcohol in moderation, as it helps prevent cirrhosis.
Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Have sex with a condom. Hepatitis is transmitted sexually.
Avoid sharing needles. Hepatitis is transmitted through shared needles.
Find out the side effects of your medications. If you are at risk for liver damage, talk to your
doctor about whether or not to test your liver function.