Ascites

Ascites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.

Causes

Ascites results from high pressure in the blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension) and low levels of a protein called albumin .

Albumin

Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood. Albumin c...

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Diseases that can cause severe liver damage can lead to ascites. These include long-term hepatitis C or B infection and alcohol abuse over many years.

Severe liver damage

Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood. Albumin c...

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Hepatitis C or B infection

Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.

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Alcohol abuse

Alcoholic liver disease is damage to the liver and its function due to alcohol abuse.

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People with certain cancers in the abdomen may develop ascites. These include cancer of the appendix, colon, ovaries, uterus, pancreas, and liver.

Other conditions that can cause this problem include:

• Clots in the veins of the liver (portal vein thrombosis)
• Congestive heart failure

  Congestive heart failure

  Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...

  

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• Pancreatitis
• Thickening and scarring of the sac-like covering of the heart

Kidney dialysis may also be linked to ascites.

Symptoms

Symptoms may develop slowly or suddenly depending on the cause of ascites. You may have no symptoms if there is only a small amount of fluid in the belly.

As more fluid collects, you may have abdominal pain and bloating. Large amounts of fluid can cause shortness of breath.

Many other symptoms of liver failure may also be present.

Liver failure

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.

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Exams and Tests

Your doctor will do a physical exam to determine the amount of swelling in your belly.

You may also have the following tests to assess your liver and kidneys:

• 24-hour urine collection

  24-hour urine collection

  24-hour urine protein measures the amount of protein released in urine over a 24-hour period.

   

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• Electrolyte levels
• Kidney function tests
• Liver function tests
• Tests to measure the risk of bleeding and protein levels in the blood
• Urinalysis
• Abdominal ultrasound

Your doctor may also use a thin needle to withdraw ascites fluid from your belly. The fluid is tested to look for the cause of ascites.

Use a thin needle

Liver transplant is surgery to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver.

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Treatment

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

The condition that causes ascites will be treated, if possible.

Treatments for fluid build-up may include lifestyle changes :

• Avoiding alcohol
• Lowering salt in your diet (no more than 1,500 mg/day of sodium)
• Limiting fluid intake

You may also get medicines from your doctor, including:

• "Water pills" (diuretics) to get rid of extra fluid
• Antibiotics for infections

Other things you can do to help take care of your liver disease are:

• Get vaccinated for diseases such as influenza, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and pneumococcal pneumonia
• Talk to your doctor about all medicines you take, including herbs and supplements and over-the-counter medicines

Procedures that you may have are:

• Inserting a needle into the belly to remove large volumes of fluid (called a paracentesis)
• Placing a special tube or shunt inside your liver (TIPS) to repair blood flow to the liver

  Special tube or shunt

  Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure to create new connections between two blood vessels in your liver. You may need ...

   

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People with end-stage liver disease may need a liver transplant .

Liver transplant

Liver transplant is surgery to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver.

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Possible Complications

Complications may include:

• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (a life-threatening infection of the ascites fluid)

  Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

  The peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs. Peritonitis is present when this tissue be...

  

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• Hepatorenal syndrome (kidney failure)

  Hepatorenal syndrome

  Hepatorenal syndrome is a condition in which there is progressive kidney failure. It occurs in a person with cirrhosis of the liver. It is a seriou...

   

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• Weight loss and protein malnutrition
• Mental confusion, change in the level of alertness, or coma (hepatic encephalopathy)
• Other complications of liver cirrhosis

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If you have ascites, call your health care provider right away if you have:

• Fever above 100.5°F (38.05°C), or a fever that does not go away
• Belly pain
• Blood in your stool or black, tarry stools
• Blood in your vomit
• Bruising or bleeding that occurs easily
• Build-up of fluid in your belly
• Swollen legs or ankles
• Breathing problems
• Confusion or problems staying awake
• Yellow color in your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)