All about ascites  causes of ascites symptoms of ascites diagnosis of ascites treatment for ascites Articles in liver diseases - cirrhosis of the liver hemochromatosis primary sclerosing cholangitis primary biliary cirrhosis alagille syndrome alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency Crigler-Najjar syndrome hepatitis fatty liver liver transplant Wilson's disease ascites cholestasis jaundice liver encephalopathy liver failure portal hypertension |
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What're the symptoms of ascites?
Small amounts of fluid in the abdomen do not usually produce symptoms. Mild ascites is hard to notice, but severe ascites leads to abdominal distension. In patients with ascites, a doctor will attempt to identify causes, such as a history of liver disease, other signs of portal hypertension or signs of tuberculosis or nephrotic syndrome.
A proportion of chronic ascites patients also develop hepatic hydrothrorax, e.g. unilateral pleural fluid (mainly right-sided) due to liver disease, and many have para-umbilical herniations of the abdominal wall. |
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More information on ascites
What is ascites? - Ascites is the presence of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Ascites is more often associated with liver disease and other long-lasting (chronic) conditions.
What causes ascites? - Ascites occur in long-standing disorders including cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis without cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and obstruction of the hepatic vein.
What're the symptoms of ascites? - Mild ascites is hard to notice, but severe ascites leads to abdominal distension. Some chronic ascites patients develop hepatic hydrothrorax.
How is ascites diagnosed? - Several blood tests are commonly performed for ascites, including full blood count, electrolytes and renal function, liver enzymes, and glucose.
What is the treatment for ascites? - The basic treatment for ascites is bed rest and a salt-restricted diet, usually combined with drugs called diuretics. |
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