What Causes Ascites Due to Liver and Kidney Problems?

Dear Pati Ram Deka ji

Ascites means abnormal fluid accumulation inside the abdomen. When someone already has liver and kidney problems and develops ascites for around 15 days, it is important to get a medical evaluation rather than treating the swelling at home.

Liver disease is a common cause of ascites because advanced liver disease can increase pressure in the blood vessels around the liver and reduce the body's ability to maintain normal fluid balance. Kidney problems can also contribute to fluid retention, especially when kidney function is reduced. Heart problems, infections, and some cancers can also cause or worsen ascites.

Common Symptoms of Ascites

You may notice

• Increasing abdominal swelling or tightness

• Feeling of heaviness or fullness in the abdomen

• Rapid increase in body weight

• Swelling of the legs or feet

• Reduced appetite or feeling full after eating a small amount

• Breathlessness, particularly when the abdomen becomes significantly distended

• Reduced urine output when kidney function or fluid balance is affected

What Tests Be Required?

Because there are both liver and kidney problems, the doctor assess

• Liver function tests, including bilirubin, AST/SGOT and ALT/SGPT

• Kidney function tests, including creatinine, urea and electrolytes

• Serum albumin and other blood tests

• Ultrasound abdomen to assess the liver, kidneys and amount of ascitic fluid

• Urine tests

• Additional imaging depending on the findings

In some patients, doctors recommend ascitic fluid analysis (paracentesis). A small amount of abdominal fluid is removed with a needle and tested to determine its cause and to check for infection.

Treatment for Ascites

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and the severity of fluid accumulation. A doctor recommend

• Salt restriction to reduce further fluid retention.

• Diuretic medicines to help the body remove excess fluid through urine. These should be taken only under medical supervision, particularly when kidney function is impaired.

• Fluid restriction in selected patients, especially when blood sodium is significantly low.

• Paracentesis when the abdomen contains a large amount of fluid and causes significant discomfort or breathing difficulty.

• Treatment of the underlying liver, kidney, heart, infection, or other condition responsible for the ascites.

Do not start or increase diuretics on your own. With kidney disease, incorrect dosing can worsen kidney function or cause dangerous changes in sodium and potassium levels.

When Is Ascites an Emergency?

Since this has been occurring for 15 days along with liver and kidney problems, medical assessment should not be delayed. Go to an emergency department if there is fever, severe abdominal pain, confusion or excessive sleepiness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe breathlessness, very little or no urine, or rapidly increasing abdominal swelling.

These symptoms can indicate complications such as infection, bleeding, severe fluid overload, or worsening liver or kidney function.

How HexaHealth Can Assist You

HexaHealth khud hospital nahi hai. Humare kai partner hospitals mein experienced gastroenterologists, hepatologists, nephrologists aur critical-care specialists available hote hain.

• Aapko suitable partner hospital identify karne mein help kar sakte hain.

• Liver aur kidney problems ke liye experienced specialist se consultation arrange karne mein assist kar sakte hain.

• Aapki blood reports, ultrasound/CT scan aur previous treatment records doctor tak pahunchane mein help kar sakte hain.

• Ascites ka cause aur required treatment samajhne mein assist kar sakte hain.

• Zarurat padne par hospital admission aur further treatment coordination mein bhi help kar sakte hain.

Please apna city aur state share karein, aur agar available ho to latest creatinine, bilirubin, albumin, sodium/potassium aur ultrasound abdomen report ke findings bhi batayein. Is information ke basis par hum aapko experienced doctors at our partner hospitals se connect karne mein help kar sakte hain.

Wishing you and your family good health always.
Warm regards,
Team HexaHealth