What is ascites?
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and the abdominal organs. It is a pathology that can be caused by different diseases and sometimes may not even produce any symptoms at all.
Prognosis of the disease
Ascites in its initial stage is not a serious disease, since in most cases it does not present any type of symptomatology. However, it is possible that the pathology may worsen and may cause more serious symptoms and even develop other pathologies.
In any case, it is necessary to see a specialist if you have any of the symptoms so that he can carry out an accurate diagnosis and proceed to the best treatment in each case.
Symptoms of ascites
Symptoms of ascites may come on slowly or suddenly depending on the cause. Sometimes, if only a small amount of fluid appears, there may be no symptoms at all.
As more fluid accumulates, it is common to develop symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating, and in more isolated cases even shortness of breath.
Symptoms of other pathologies such as liver failure may also be present, as well as symptoms of other pathologies causing ascites. In cases where the pathology is more severe, even symptoms such as peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, weight loss and protein malnutrition, mental confusion, bleeding in the upper or lower intestines and other complications associated with liver cirrhosis may develop.
Medical tests for ascites
First, the specialist will perform a physical examination to determine the extent of swelling in the abdomen. On the other hand, other tests may also be used to evaluate the state of the liver and kidneys.
Among these are:
- Evaluating electrolyte levels.
- Kidney function tests
- Liver function tests
- Tests to measure bleeding risk and protein levels in the blood
- Urinalysis
- Abdominal ultrasound
The specialist may also consider removing a small amount of the fluid produced by ascites so that it can be analyzed.
What are the causes of ascites?
Ascites is caused by high pressure in the blood vessels of the liver, also known as portal hypertension, and low levels of the protein called albumin. Diseases that cause severe liver damage can also lead to the development of ascites. These would include pathologies such as prolonged infection with hepatitis C or B, excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time and fatty liver, an increasingly common disease.
Other risk factors for contracting ascites are certain types of cancer in the abdomen, such as cancer of the appendix, colon, ovary, uterus, pancreas and liver.
On the other hand, conditions such as clots in the veins of the liver or portal vein thrombosis, congestive heart failure or dialysis can also cause ascites.
Can it be prevented?
Prevention of ascites involves trying to avoid some of its risk factors such as alcohol, reducing salt intake and reducing fluid intake.
As it is a pathology that can be caused by other diseases, it is difficult to establish specific prevention habits, although trying to follow a healthy lifestyle will always help.
Treatments for ascites
To combat ascites, the specialist will proceed to treat the pathologies that cause it.
First of all, he will recommend a change in lifestyle by avoiding alcohol, reducing salt intake and reducing fluid intake. It is also possible that the administration of some medications such as diuretics to eliminate excess fluid and antibiotics for infections may be resorted to.
Other measures such as vaccinations against diseases such as hepatitis A and B and pneumonia may also help to combat ascites. On the other hand, methods such as the introduction of a needle into the stomach to extract large quantities of liquid, also known as paracentesis, and the placement of a probe or shunt into the liver to repair the blood flow to the liver can be performed.
Patients with end-stage liver disease may require a liver transplant and, if they have cirrhosis, it is advisable to avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Medications for ascites
It is possible that the specialist will resort to the administration of some drugs to treat the causes of ascites, such as diuretics to eliminate excess liquid and antibiotics for infections.
In any case, it will be under the prescription of a medical professional and according to each particular case, since the disease does not affect each patient equally.
Which specialist treats it?
The specialist who will make the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of a patient with ascites is the expert in Digestive System and, sometimes, even the specialist in General Surgery.