The 8 Main Symptoms of Ascites
The Main Symptoms of Ascites that everyone should be aware of. Also, ascites , or water belly , is the name given to the abnormal accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity – a space between the abdominal organs and the tissues lining the abdomen. So, check out Top 8 Symptoms of Ascites:
Symptoms of Ascites: In the beginning, Ascites is almost always asymptomatic. With the evolution of the condition, however, depending on the volume of fluid retained in the abdomen, some symptoms may arise, such as:
- Weight gain for no apparent reason
- Swelling
- Growth of the belly and waist region
- Abdominal pain
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty breathing.
Depending on the underlying cause of Ascites , the patient may also experience other signs and symptoms, such as enlarged liver, weight loss, leg and foot edema, fatigue, jaundice, gynecomastia and hepatic encephalopathy.
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Treatment For Ascites: The treatment of Ascites should be concurrent with the attempt to diagnose and treat the causal pathology. The only definitive solution for Ascites is control or elimination of the underlying disease. Treatment should aim to avoid complications of ascites, alleviate symptoms and prevent its recurrence.
In patients with mild forms of Ascites , treatment can be done on an outpatient basis; if the ascites is more severe, hospitalization becomes necessary. In general, treatment is done with diuretics, therapeutic paracentesis (total or large amounts of fluid withdrawal by puncture, through an appropriate needle) and other symptomatic measures, in addition to treating the cause.
In minor transudative ascites, immediate salt restriction may be sufficient to allow an increase in diuresis (urine production) . For this, diuretics can also be used. In patients with severe ascites , additional therapeutic paracentesis may be required. More difficult drainages can be done under ultrasound control.
Ascites refractory to these treatments should be considered a classic indication for liver transplantation. Venous shunts (shunts) can be used in patients with advanced cirrhosis who have recurrent ascites to alleviate symptoms but do not appear to increase the patients’ life expectancy.
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In general, exudative ascites does not respond to salt reduction or diuretic therapy, requiring repeated paracentesis and treatment of the underlying cause.