September 3, 2025

In our body, just like any other organ, the liver plays a vital role in safeguarding bodily functions and maintaining overall health. One of its primary duties is to produce albumin, a protein that helps keep fluid within the blood vessels. When the liver fails to produce sufficient albumin for the body, the fluid begins building up and gets collected in the abdominal cavity. This condition is known as ascites. It can affect individuals belonging to all age groups, genders, and health backgrounds.

​At Zenplus Private Limited, we believe that awareness acts as the stepping stone to timely care and treatment, and therefore, it is important to know about ascites. It often indicates severe health issues, and therefore, it is crucial to learn about its causes, symptoms, and ways through which it can be diagnosed and managed. The article below sheds light on the various factors associated with it and the types of treatment methods available. Let’s get started!

​What is Ascites?

It is a condition in which the body’s abdominal cavity gets filled with excess fluid. A tissue known as the peritoneum wraps around the abdominal organs in the body. This tissue consists of two layers. In ascites, fluid gets collected between the two layers, making your belly look fuller and rounder. This condition often occurs among people with liver issues. It can make simple tasks such as walking and exercising seem more challenging than usual.

​Ascites impacts daily living and an individual’s overall well-being. Such a fluid build-up often takes place slowly and in mild cases may even go unnoticed. However, it differs from person to person. In certain cases, the build-up occurs suddenly, making it difficult to eat or to breathe. Studies have shown illnesses like cirrhosis, kidney disease, heart issues, etc., play a huge role in the development of this condition. However, regardless of the cause, if ascites isn’t treated in a timely and accurate manner, it can lead to severe health complications.

​Causes of Ascites

Ascites cannot be termed as a condition or disease on its own. It often acts as an indicator of other underlying health problems. As mentioned before, it occurs when the normal fluid balance in the body gets disrupted, leading to a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity, also known as the belly area.

​Liver Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a liver condition that causes severe scarring, due to which the blood flow that passes through the liver tends to slow down. This affects the portal vein, leading to a condition called portal hypertension. Additionally, due to intense damage, the liver fails to produce adequate amounts of albumin, the protein responsible for maintaining fluid in the blood vessels. Such conditions lead to increased pressure, which causes the fluid to leak out and collect in the belly, giving way to ascites.

Heart Failure 

As you may already know, the heart plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth blood flow throughout the body. However, when it fails to perform its function effectively, the blood gets backed up into the veins. This also includes the blood vessels that carry blood to the liver. When the pressure within the vessels increases, it forces the fluid out into the abdominal cavity, causing ascites.

​Kidney Disease

Kidneys help remove excess fluids and sodium from the body. However, when they fail to function properly, they cause excess fluid to build up and leak into the abdominal cavity. Similar to liver cirrhosis, the albumin levels drop even in kidney diseases, affecting the fluid-holding ability within the blood vessels.

​Cancer

Certain kinds of cancers, especially those associated with the stomach or other abdominal organs, are among the common causes of ascites. It occurs when the infection reaches the abdominal cavity. During such conditions, the fluid builds up quickly, giving rise to other problems like bloating, loss of appetite, and so on.

​Common Symptoms of Ascites

Symptoms of ascites differ from individual to individual and often occur gradually over time when the fluid rises. In some cases, such as when ascites is caused by cancer, the fluid build-up occurs quickly and may showcase different symptoms compared to ascites caused by conditions like cirrhosis or heart failure.

• Abdominal swelling and discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• A feeling of tightness

How is Ascites Diagnosed?

As mentioned earlier, ascites isn’t a condition of its own; it is an indicator of other underlying health conditions. Therefore, its diagnosis includes first – confirming the presence of the fluid in the abdominal cavity and second – identifying its causing factor. Here are some of the diagnostic methods used to diagnose ascites and its causes:

• Physical examination: Simple body checks may be performed to check for signs such as abdominal swelling, pain, etc. However, physical examinations alone aren’t enough in cases of moderate ascites. Other diagnostic tests, such as a CT scan, ultrasound, etc., may also be recommended.
• Ultrasound: This non-invasive procedure is used to detect any fluid buildup within the abdomen. It even provides details regarding the liver’s condition, which helps the healthcare provider identify the cause and create an accurate treatment plan.
• CT Scan: Doctors recommend a CT scan when they require a more detailed and thorough diagnosis of the fluid buildup in the body. This scan helps not just identify the level of build-up but also offers an accurate view of the abdominal organs, such as the liver, pancreas, etc.
• Blood Tests: Apart from the above-mentioned diagnostic tests, doctors may also ask you to get blood tests like Liver Function Tests (LFTs), Renal Function Tests, CBC, or Serum albumin for a clear diagnosis.

How is Ascites Treated?

The treatment for ascites focuses on lessening fluid build-up and addressing the issue causing the build-up. Some of the major treatment measures include:

• Dietary changes: Doctors recommend reducing sodium intake to help the body slow down its fluid build-up, thereby helping in the fluid reduction process. A proper healthy eating plan can be created to help treat ascites effectively.
• Diuretics: Commonly referred to as the water pills, diuretics are provided by doctors to help the kidneys get rid of the excess water and sodium from the body.
• Paracentesis: In this procedure, the doctor inserts a small needle into the abdomen to drain out excess fluid. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed as many times as needed.
• Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): This procedure is used when your ascites doesn’t respond to earlier treatment measures. A shunt is basically a new pathway that is created in the liver with the help of a stent to help the blood flow effortlessly without causing any unnecessary fluid build-up.

Conclusion

Managing sudden or even gradual fluid build-up in the body can be a challenging task, as it affects daily living in multiple ways. Therefore, knowing about its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods can be highly beneficial. If you experience signs like abdominal swelling, shortness of breath, or swelling in the ankles and legs, it is best to consult your healthcare provider at the earliest. Timely intervention and treatment help manage the condition  more effectively. Do not ignore the signs. They may be indicating something more serious. Your health is in your hands. Act wisely.

​FAQs

1. How is ascites diagnosed?

Diagnostic tools such as physical examinations, Ultrasound, CT Scan, blood tests, etc., are used to diagnose ascites and its causing factor.

2. When should I seek medical help for ascites?

You must seek immediate help if you experience abdominal pain, swelling, discomfort, shortness of breath, and other symptoms associated with Ascites.