Ascites or “water belly” is the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid inside the abdomen, in the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and abdominal organs. Ascites is not considered a disease but a phenomenon present in several diseases, the most common being cirrhosis of the liver.
Ascites has no cure, however, it can be treated with diuretic remedies, limiting salt in the diet and not consuming alcoholic beverages, to remove excess fluid in the abdomen.
- Fluids that can accumulate inside the abdomen can be blood plasma.
- Which is the name given to the blood fluid.
- And lymph.
- Which is a clear fluid present throughout the body that is part of the water circulation.
Ascites symptoms are related to the volume of fluid inside the abdomen. At first, ascites usually shows no symptoms, however, in the case of mass ascites, symptoms such as:
Ascites may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as enlarged liver, swelling of the legs and feet or eyes, and yellowing, depending on the cause.
Some of the most common diseases that can cause ascites are cirrhosis, fulminant liver failure, delayed or clogged liver blood flow, congestive heart failure, constrictive pericarditis, restrictive cardiomyopathy, Budd-Chiari syndrome, occlusive venous disease, neoplasms, peritoneal tuberculosis, Fitz- Hugh-Curtis syndrome, AIDS, kidney disease, endocrine, pancreatic disease.
Treatment of ascites or the belly of water depends on the disease at source, which may include:
Some home remedies with diuretic properties may also help in the treatment of ascites, see which home remedies are indicated for ascites.