Ascites Liver Disease

What Is Ascites Liver Disease?

Ascites liver disease is usually related to conditions like liver failure, cirrhosis or liver cancer. Ascites liver disease occurs when fluid accumulates in the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and abdominal organs (the peritoneal cavity).

Ascites can be a serious health threat that requires immediate medical attention.

Causes of ascites Although the precise cause of ascites isn't clear, researchers have learned it is usually triggered by high pressure in the blood vessels of the liver and low albumin levels. This is known as portal hypertension.

Ascites liver disease can be associated with a number of disorders, but the most common is severe liver disease: usually cirrhosis.

It is believed salt and water retention may sometimes play a role too.

Ascites liver disease may also be associated with

• advanced kidney failure related to fluid retention,
• colon cancer,
• congestive heart failure,
• endometrial cancer,
• hepatitis,
• ovarian cancer,
• pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer,
• portal vein thrombosis (clots in the veins of the liver)

Cases of ascites have been documented in kidney dialysis patients.

Diagnosis of ascites liver disease Diagnosis of ascites is often done through kidney function tests, urinalysis, an abdominal tap, and creatinine and electrolytes analysis.

Someone with ascites may not experience symptoms as fluid builds in the abdomen. Eventually, however, the abdomen grows noticeably larger. The patient begins to experience abdomen pain and bloating. Shortness of breath is typical because the fluid accumulation is pressuring the diaphragm.

If the fluid begins to migrate, there may also be some accumulation around the lungs (known as pleural effusion).

Ascites Treatment Once your doctor diagnoses ascites, there are a number of possible treatments.

Water pills (diuretics) can help reduce the fluid and relieve pressure in the abdomen. Typically, these will include spironolactone (Aldactone) and then furosemide (Lasix).

Antibiotics may be prescribed.

It's important for someone with ascites to limit their salt intake to no more than 1,500 mg/day.

The patient should avoid alcohol drinking alcohol.

Ascites does not respond to treatment in patients with end stage liver disease. At this point, a liver transplant is probably needed.

Ascites complications Complications of ascites include

• an infection of the ascites fluid known as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. This condition can be life threatening,
• kidney failure,
• weight loss and protein malnutrition,
• cognitive impairment characterized by change in the level of alertness,
• coma.

There may be other complications that typically accompany liver cirrhosis.

Anyone who has ascites liver disease and develops new abdominal pain and fever should contact their health care provider immediately. 

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