Is ascites a life-threatening condition?

Ascites is a sign of liver damage and can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated. Proper treatment and lifestyle modification along with dietary changes can help in managing ascites. If there is serious liver damage your doctor may talk to you about getting a liver transplant.

Can ascites come back?

Yes. Ascites can recur if the underlying cause behind the fluid retention is not treated or if appropriate changes in diet and lifestyle have not been followed. The fluid can continue to build up and you may need to get it drained again. Your doctor may recommend treatment with water pills or a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

How can one control ascites?

Follow the directions given by your doctor and weigh yourself daily. Call your doctor if you gain more than four kilograms or more than one kilogram per day for three consecutive days. Limit usage of non-steroidal drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin as they can affect your kidneys and cause water and salt retention. You should also stick to a low sodium diet and not consume more than 2,000 to 4,000 milligrams per day.

What is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)?

SBP or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a condition in which the peritoneum that covers the inner walls of the abdomen and most of the organs becomes infected. It is most commonly caused by the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity or ascites. This occurs most commonly with advanced liver or kidney diseases.

What is secondary bacterial peritonitis?

Secondary bacterial peritonitis is infected ascites due to an underlying intra-abdominal source of infection. The difference between spontaneous and secondary bacterial peritonitis is based upon ascitic fluid analysis, imaging studies, and response to treatment.

What is the difference between belly fat and ascites?

A medical professional will be able to distinguish between belly fat and ascites. The shape of the abdomen may suggest the presence of fluid or fat in a person. A person with ascites may also present with a distended stomach that feels hard and swollen. The patient may also experience rapid changes in weight and body shape that will happen quicker than the rate at which a person gains body mass.

When will symptoms of ascites present themselves?

The symptoms of ascites can build up over a few weeks or may even take days to present. They can seem minor at first and the swelling can worsen over time. The excessive fluid will eventually cause swelling and make the stomach area feel tight and uncomfortable.

What is the prevalence of ascites with liver cirrhosis?

Ascites occur in about 80% of people with liver conditions or cirrhosis. For people who develop ascites as a complication of liver cirrhosis, the mortality ranges from 15% in the first year to 44% in four years.

Ascites

Written By Dr. Swati MishraBDS

Reviewed By Dr. Sachin Gupta

MD Pharmacology, MBBS

Last updated on: 27 Sep 2022 | 06:23 PM (IST)

Overview

Ascites is a medical condition that results in the accumulation of fluids within the spaces of your abdomen. Primarily, the condition is caused by cirrhosis of the liver that is foremost a result of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Ascites can also be caused by different types of cancer, specifically, it is seen in advanced stages of cancer and recurrent cancer. The condition can also be seen in different heart disorders, infections, low protein levels, and dialysis.

Ascites can be painful in severe cases and may prevent a person from being able to move around comfortably. The condition can cause fluid to move into the chest and surround the lungs which can cause difficulty in breathing.

The most common symptoms of ascites include swelling in the abdomen, weight gain, bloating, sense of heaviness, feeling of fullness, vomiting, shortness of breath, nausea, and indigestion. Treatment of ascites requires a change in lifestyle, modification of diet, and taking diuretics to flush out the excessive fluid. In severe cases, doctors would remove excessive fluid through a needle.

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