Excess fluid in the abdomen due to ascites needs to be treated immediately

Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity or peritoneum that is not normal, generally caused by diseases such as cirrhosis, cancer, and heart failure. This yellow and clear ascitic fluid fills the abdominal cavity which is just below the diaphragm, under the chest cavity. In general, ascites can be identified from swelling in the abdomen. This condition can be preceded by symptoms of prolonged abdominal pain without apparent cause, and fever. Other symptoms are quite common, such as shortness of breath, abdominal bloating, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and swelling in the legs and feet. It is necessary to search medical history and a careful physical examination to determine further examination of the possibility of ascites.

Causes of Ascites

Apart from cirrhosis, ascitic fluid can occur due to various conditions below.

• Hepatitis B and C.
• Increased pressure on blood flow to the liver (portal hypertension) and decreased protein albumin carried in the blood.
• The accumulation of fluid and salt in the body. Ascites is often associated with fluid buildup due to kidney failure and congestive heart failure.
• Tumors or blood clots in the stomach.
• Pancreatic inflammation or pancreatitis can cause pancreatic ascites. Generally caused by trauma to the pancreas or even excessive consumption of alcohol in the long run.

In addition, there are also ascites caused by malignancy. This condition usually appears as a result of cancer in organs in the abdominal cavity such as pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, or stomach cancer. But it can also occur due to other cancers, such as lymphoma, uterine cancer, or breast cancer.

How to Overcome Ascites

Ascites can be diagnosed through physical examination and complete blood tests, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, and albumin levels in the blood. Ultrasound examination or CT scan of the abdomen can also be done to diagnose ascites. Ascites is treated by knowing the underlying cause and how quickly the liquid buildup is formed. In addition, how bad the impact is on the patient and the frequency of occurrence also needs to be considered. Some things that can be done as handling ascites, namely:

• Stop consuming alcoholic drinks.

To minimize liver damage, patients who experience ascites due to cirrhosis need to stop consuming alcoholic beverages and certain drugs such as paracetamol.

• Low salt diet

Patients with ascites need to limit salt intake to less than 2 grams per day.

• Diuretic medicine

Treatment with diuretics together with a low-salt diet can remove excess fluid and salt more effectively.

• Weighing regularly

This is done to monitor the fluid content in the body. It is expected that weight can go down from 0.5 kg to about 1 kg per day, or according to the patient's condition.

• Paracentesis

If diet and diuretic treatment is not successful, paracentesis can be done. This process is done by placing a needle into the abdominal cavity to remove ascitic fluid. This procedure is generally done if the fluid forms very quickly, interferes with breathing, or if ascites is caused by cancer. Risks that can occur in this procedure such as bleeding, infection, intestinal injury, and electrolyte disorders.

• Operating procedure.

If other methods do not work, surgery can be performed.

When there is swelling in the abdomen or other ascites symptoms, check with your doctor as soon as possible. This is very important so that ascites can be handled promptly.