Ascites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.
Portal hypertension - ascites; Cirrhosis - ascites; Liver failure - ascites; Alcohol use - ascites; End-stage liver disease - ascites; ESLD - ascites; Pancreatitis ascites
Ascites results from high pressure in certain veins of the liver (portal hypertension) and low blood levels of a protein called albumin.
Diseases that can cause severe liver damage can lead to ascites. These include:
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:
Kidney dialysis may also be linked to ascites.
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. This happens because the fluid pushes up on the diaphragm, which in turn compresses the lower lungs.
Many other symptoms of liver failure may also be present.
The condition that causes ascites will be treated, if possible.
Treatments for fluid build-up may include lifestyle changes:
You may also get medicines from your doctor, including:
Other things you can do to help take care of your liver disease are:
Procedures that you may have are:
People with end-stage liver disease may need a liver transplant.
If you have cirrhosis, avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Acetaminophen should be taken in reduced doses.
Paolo Angeli practices in Padova, Italy. Angeli is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Ascites. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Ascites, Hepatorenal Syndrome, Liver Failure, Cirrhosis, and Liver Transplant.
Mattias Mandorfer is a Hepatologist in Wien, Austria. Mandorfer is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Ascites. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Portal Hypertension, Ascites, Cirrhosis, Liver Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Thomas Reiberger practices in Vienna, Austria. Reiberger is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Ascites. He is also highly rated in 31 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Portal Hypertension, Cirrhosis, Ascites, Liver Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Complications may include:
If you have ascites, contact your health care provider right away if you have:
Summary: Clinical data regarding quality of life in patients with refractory ascites is limited and preceded the development of newer questionnaires that may be more robust. One primary objective of this study is to study changes in quality in life in a prospective fashion using newer general and ascites-specific quality of life survey instruments specific to benign and malignant etiologies. Sarcopenia is ...
Summary: A proof-of-concept placebo-controlled trial to explore the acute and 14-day effects of empagliflozin on natriuresis and total body water in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. We will additionally investigate its effect on neurohumoral activation, and renal hemodynamics.
Published Date: July 30, 2022
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Garcia-Tsao G. Cirrhosis and its sequelae. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 144.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Cirrhosis. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis/all-content. Updated March 2018. Accessed November 11, 2022.
Sola E, Gines SP. Ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 93.