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Gastro Science | Posted on 08/28/2023 by Dr. Anil Kumar Jangid
If you often experience shortness of breath, abdominal pain, or sudden weight gain, it would be best to diagnose a condition called ascites. It is a clinical condition determined by the fluid buildup within the abdominal area, causing swelling and discomfort in the abdomen. The condition usually develops due to several underlying health conditions.
Most commonly, it occurs due to liver cirrhosis, however, can be an outcome of heart failure, kidney disease, and various cancers. The extra fluid accumulation occurs because of a body’s fluid disturbance balance and increased pressure within the blood vessels.
In this blog, we will cover a comprehensive discussion on the ascites and its related aspects. However, please note that the information given is based on research and we do not in any way interfere with doctor’s consultation.
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Ascites is a condition that occurs when the liver is not functioning properly, causing an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. The doctor might involve diagnosis of this condition when there are more than 25 milliliters of fluid accumulated in the abdominal area. Fluid begins to fill up the space between the abdomen lining and organs when there is a malfunctioning of the liver.
Ascites are known to be among the most common liver cirrhosis complications. It often leads to affecting more than 60 percent of the population with cirrhosis within ten years of their diagnosis, with a probability of a two-year survival rate that is fifty percent. It is recommended to consult the doctor immediately if you suspect that you might be suffering from ascites or notice any symptoms linked to it.
People who have ascites may experience different symptoms as it varies depending on the condition of person to person. Here are some of the common ascites symptoms experienced by the patient:
If an individual has bacterial peritonitis, then here are symptoms of ascites that might be experienced:
Several ascites symptoms are particular to different conditions such as advanced cirrhosis, heart failure, cancer, and any other underlying conditions.
Ascites are an outcome of high pressure in some liver veins and low blood levels of protein referred to as albumin. Some illnesses might lead to severe liver harm causing ascites. Here are these conditions:
People who have any type of cancer in their abdomen are more likely to develop ascites. It involves appendix, colon, uterus, pancreas, liver, and ovarian cancer.
Other conditions might lead to this problem such as:
Kidney dialysis is also identified to be interlinked with ascites.
The doctor will begin ascites diagnosis by initiating a physical evaluation to identify if the main cause of swelling is because of fluid accumulation in the belly. The doctor might order the following tests for assessing the liver and kidneys:
The doctor might involve using a thin needle for withdrawing ascites fluid from the abdomen. Further, the fluid is tested for detecting the ascites cause and checking if the fluid is infected.
Several options for ascite treatment are available. The doctor might decide the right option according to an individual’s condition. Here are some of the options commonly used for ascite treatment:
Ascites is a condition that indicates harm to the liver. People suffering from liver cirrhosis are at the risk of developing ascites. However, with prompt treatment options and diet modifications, it is easy to manage the condition. If you suffer from ascites, make sure to limit salt intake as it is the primary recommendation by a doctor for ascites treatment. Get in touch with a doctor to understand a diet plan and options for treatment for ascites that might be working for you.
After ascites diagnosis, the rate of survival is not more than five years.
Ascites occur often at the end-stage of cirrhosis following symptoms like nausea, vomiting, reduced mobility, etc.
There is no cure available for ascites, but with lifestyle and diet changes one can reduce the risk of complications.
