Ascites is often the result of severe liver diseases such as cirrhosis. Other causes include weakness of the right heart in particular (right heart failure), inflamed peritoneum (peritonitis) or inflammation of the pancreas. If one gets ascites, sometimes cancer is behind it. In most cases, metastases in the liver or abdominal cavity are the trigger.
What are the symptoms of ascites?
Is ascites curable?
Whether ascites is curable depends on its cause. A cure is only possible if doctors can successfully treat or cure the underlying condition.
How long can one live with ascites?
What helps with ascites?
Ascites is usually treated by treating the underlying cause, such as cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure or cancer. Low-salt diets and medications that help you pass more urine and thus reduce ascites are helpful. Sometimes doctors perform a paracentesis: They poke a needle through the abdominal wall and drain the fluid through a tube into a bag.
What does ascites feel like?
Is ascites always fatal?
No, ascites is not necessarily fatal. Rather, it is a symptom of various diseases. Some of them, such as cirrhosis of the liver or cancer, can actually kill sufferers. Other causes of ascites, however, can be successfully treated by doctors, such as inflammation in the abdomen. So the prognosis for ascites depends critically on the causative disease and possible therapies.
Does ascites cause pain?
Is the abdomen hard in ascites?
Not necessarily. If the amount of ascites is small, those affected usually feel nothing. If a lot of ascites accumulates in the abdominal cavity, the abdomen tends to feel bulging, tense and swollen. However, this can vary from person to person, depending on the amount of fluid and personal sensation. If the abdomen feels hard, it is best to seek medical attention. Especially if there are other symptoms such as fever.
Is the abdomen hard in ascites?
Not necessarily. If the amount of ascites is small, those affected usually feel nothing. If a lot of ascites accumulates in the abdominal cavity, the abdomen tends to feel bulging, tense and swollen. However, this can vary from person to person, depending on the amount of fluid and personal sensation. If the abdomen feels hard, it is best to seek medical attention. Especially if there are other symptoms such as fever.
Can ascites be seen on a CT scan?
Yes, the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen is visible on a computed tomography (CT) scan. CT shows the fluid as a darker area because it is less dense than the surrounding tissue. It also shows detailed images of the abdominal organs and helps identify possible causes of ascites.
Can ascites recede?
What medications for ascites?
Doctors often treat ascites with diuretic medications such as spironolactone and furosemide. Once doctors have drained the ascites, sometimes give protein infusions through the vein. The protein is to keep the fluid in the blood vessels. Other medications depend on the underlying cause.
