About this topic
When body fluids collect in the belly area it is called ascites. Your stomach and bowels are organs in your belly. So are your liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The extra fluid settles in the spaces in between the organs and tissues in the belly. This causes pain and swelling in the belly. You may have trouble breathing if swelling in the belly is very big. Ascites most often happens in people with serious liver problems like cirrhosis and hepatitis. Other conditions may also cause ascites. ‚
The treatment for ascites depends on the cause. It may include drugs and lifestyle changes. Sometimes, your doctor must drain off the fluid with a needle. The doctor may advise surgery or a liver transplant in very bad cases of liver disease. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by the doctor.
- Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Get lots of rest.
- Ask your doctor if you need to follow a low-salt diet.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may need to have more tests to see if your treatment is working. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Get rid of extra body fluids
- Treat infection
- Treat the health problem that is causing the buildup of body fluid
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection in the fluid in your belly
- Kidney problems
- Build up of toxins in the brain
- Lack of nutrition
- Fluid in your belly comes back
- Pain in your belly
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Very bad belly pain
- Throwing up
- Feeling dizzy
- Trouble breathing
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, very bad belly pain, throwing up, or trouble breathing.
Where can I learn more?
American College of Gastroenterology ‚
http://patients.gi.org/topics/ascites/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚