Ascites

Brief Overview:

The term Ascites may be briefly described as the pathological condition in which fluid gets accumulated in the abdominal cavity. Etymologically, the word ascites has Greek roots (askos) that means bag or sac. Usually, healthy men have little or no abdominal fluid whereas, women may normally have to the extent of 20 mL, depending on their menstrual cycle.

Causes:

Generally, Ascites can be attributed to portal hypertension of the liver and deficiency of albumin. However, any disease that can cause severe liver damage may lead to ascites. Cirrhosis is the most common condition that can cause ascites. Other major conditions that can lead to Ascites are kidney failure, heart failure, cancer or infection, to name a few.

Symptoms:

Patient suffering from Ascites may show multiple symptoms  like bloated belly, Nausea, Indigestion, Vomiting, Loss of appetite, Swelling in legs and ankles, Weight gain, Hemorrhoids and Shortness of breath, depending upon the amount of fluid accumulated in the abdomen.

At the initial stage, patient may experience abdominal pain and bloating. However, with increased accumulation of fluid, patient may suffer from shortness of breath. This happens as the increased quantity of fluid exerts pressure on the diaphragm, which in turn causes compression of the lower lungs.

Treatment:

• One of the basic steps for improving the condition of ascites is reduction of salt intake.
• Patients may be advised to take diuretics (water pills), which help in reduction of fluid and sodium levels.
• In acute cases, where patient starts suffering from loss of breath, removal of large amounts of fluid from the abdomen through needle (Paracentesis) may improve the condition.
• In very complicated situations, where diuretics and a low-sodium diet are unable to provide respite to the patient, a special procedure called Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic (TIPS) may be performed to ease the high pressure causing ascites.
• In cases of severe cirrhosis, when the liver is failing, liver transplantremains the last option.

Prevention:

A healthy lifestyle reduces the chances of Ascites. There are certain steps that may be taken to avoid cirrhosis of the liver and cancer which may lead to ascites. These include:

• Stop/Reduce alcohol consumption.
• Avoid smoking.
• Exercise regularly.
• Control salt intake in diet.