Ascites

Ascites is the buildup of fluid in your belly, often due to severe liver disease. The extra fluid makes your belly swell. Ascites Signs and Symptoms Ascites is usually accompanied by a feeling of fullness, a ballooning belly, and • Shortness of breath • • Swelling in legs and • • • • Loss of appetite • Fever • If you have a combination of these symptoms, see your doctor. If you have ascites, it’s often a sign of Ascites Causes Ascites happens when pressure builds up in the veins of your The pressure blocks Ascites Risk Factors Any disease that causes liver damage or scarring can make you more likely to get ascites. Common risk factors for ascites include: • Liver cirrhosis (scarring) due to: • Viral infections like hepatitis B or hepatitis C • Alcohol abuse • Obesity • Viral infections like hepatitis B or hepatitis C • Alcohol misuse • Cancer in organs in the belly area • Kidney failure • Congestive heart failure Ascites Diagnosis The doctor will give you a If they think you have ascites, the doctor will use a needle to remove fluid from your belly for testing. This procedure is called a In most cases of ascites, the doctor will refer you to a liver specialist, who may discuss a Ascites Treatments The doctor may prescribe “ Two of the most common diuretics are: • • They both help your If changes in your diet and prescription diuretics don’t help, or your symptoms are severe, your doctor may have to use paracentesis to remove large amounts of excess fluid through a needle i...

Paracentesis is a medical procedure that doctors perform to drain fluid from a person’s abdominal cavity. It is sometimes called an abdominal tap. Doctors refer to this buildup of fluid as It is a As draining the fluid relieves any pressure on the person’s abdominal organs, doctors may recommend paracentesis as a treatment. They may also carry out the procedure to help them diagnose the underlying condition responsible for this symptom. Keep reading to learn what to expect from paracentesis, how to prepare, the possible risks, and more. Doctors usually use paracentesis for the treatment of ascites. They may also use it for diagnostic purposes. Treating ascites Ascites is a condition in which fluid collects in the abdomen. A membrane called the peritoneum surrounds all of the organs in a person’s belly. Research suggests that people usually have If the fluid builds up, it can press on other organs. A person may feel Removing the fluid immediately relieves the pressure on the organs, but it is not a cure. Ascites may come back. Diagnosis Doctors may also use paracentesis to identify the cause of ascites or to rule out certain health conditions. If a person has ascites alongside Doctors may recommend an The The organization advises people to tell the healthcare team about everything they are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, patches, and even creams. Healthcare professionals will also provide specific advice on what is suitab...

[Music playing] Mayo Clinic explains cirrhosis Sumera I. Ilyas, M.B.B.S., Transplant Hepatologist, Mayo Clinic I'm Dr. Sumera Ilyas, a transplant hepatologist at Mayo Clinic. In this video, we'll cover the basics of cirrhosis. What is it? Who gets it? The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're looking for answers for yourself or someone you love, we're here to give you the best information available. What is it? Put simply, cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. Any time an organ is injured, it tries to repair itself. And when this happens, scar tissue forms. As more scar tissue forms in the liver, it becomes harder for it to function. Cirrhosis is usually a result of liver damage from conditions such as hepatitis B or C, or chronic alcohol use. The damage done by cirrhosis typically cannot be undone. But if caught early enough and depending on the cause, there is a chance of slowing it with treatment. And even in the most severe cases, liver transplants and new treatments provide those suffering from cirrhosis with hope. Who gets it? Any kind of disease or condition that harms the liver can lead to cirrhosis over time. About 2% of American adults have liver disease, and therefore are at risk of developing cirrhosis. However, those who drink too much alcohol, those who are overweight and those with viral hepatitis are at a greater risk. Not everyone with these risk factors develop cirrhosis. These are the leading causes of liver disease. A wide range of other condi...

The increased pressure of portal hypertension causes fluid to seep out and pool in the abdominal cavity. This is called ascites. People with liver disease may experience different amounts of fluid buildup– a little buildup of fluid may not cause any symptoms but as the amount of fluid increases it can cause waist size to expand and weight gain. When large amounts of fluid gather in the belly it can lead to swelling and pain and be very uncomfortable. The belly becomes hard from the fluid buildup, may resemble a pregnancy belly and the belly button can become pushed out.Some people with ascites may develop swollen legs and ankles, called edema. Ascites can become infected for no reason which is called kidney. Someone with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis will usually feel even more uncomfortable and experience tenderness in their abdomen and may develop a fever. How is ascites treated? Ascites is treated with a low-sodium diet, medications called diuretics, removing the fluid, or surgery to reroute blood flow. Reducing sodium,or salt, is a first line therapy for ascites. If you have ascites, be sure to learn more from a nutritionistwho specializes in the liver about your unique needs. Medications called diuretics may be prescribed which make the kidneys excrete more sodium and water into your urine, causing you to pee more frequently. Sometimes, diuretics are not enough, and the fluid will continue to build up. When this happens, someone may have a procedure called therape...

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