Water gets accumulated in your tummy (abdomen) as a part of a disease. It is known medically as Ascites. Most common reason for ascites is Liver Disease. Although, local disease of tummy (Peritoneum), Kidney, Heart can cause water accumulation in your tummy, by far the most important reason is Liver. If there is water in your tummy there is 85% chance that you have Liver Disease.

What causes Ascites?

There are many causes, but the most common are mentioned here

  1. Liver Disease, Cirrhosis, Liver Cancer, Liver Failure
  2. Cancer Malignancy
  3. Kidney Disease
  4. Heart Disease
  5. Infections Tuberculosis

What are the symptoms of Ascites?

As the fluid gets collected very gradually, you may realize it only after weeks that you are having symptoms of Ascites

  1. Heaviness of stomach
  2. Distension of stomach
  3. Bloating
  4. Appetite getting lower (Tummy feel full all the time)
  5. Breathlessness
  6. Swelling of feet may accompany

How can we diagnose Ascites?

  1. Ultrasound – Even before you realize it, a sonography will pick it up
  2. Clinical Examination – Your doctor can examine and pick up if the fluid is more than 1.5 litres
  3. Your Doctor can take some sample of fluid from your tummy to find out the reason for the fluid

How can you treat it?

  1. First and foremost is to diagnose and treat underlying disease
  2. For liver disease, your doctor will prescribe you Diuretics or water tablets to help get this extra fluid/water out via urine
  3. Sometime your doctor will take out large volume of fluid via a needle stuck into your tummy

Can you prevent it?

It is not always possible to prevent it if cirrhosis had already developed. But you can prevent development of cirrhosis by following guidelines

  1. Stop drinking alcohol.
  2. Maintain a healthy weight.
  3. Exercise regularly.
  4. Stop smoking.
  5. Limit salt in your diet.
  6. Practice safe sex
  7. Do not use recreational drugs

If you think you have Ascites or like to know more, contact your Hepatologist