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Ascites in liver cirrhosis

Under the influence of adverse factors, such as alcohol, hepatitis b virus, various toxic substances, the human liver can start to break down. Die off one by one, her cells, their connective tissue substitutes, but she is unable to perform the functions of the liver cells. Develops a serious illness – cirrhosis of the liver. In the last stages of the disease complications, one of which is ascites. Ascites in liver cirrhosis is unfavorable sign and significantly worsens the prognosis.

What is ascites?

In the abdominal cavity is normally present a small amount of clear liquid. Astiticeski syndrome, that is, a pathological accumulation fluid can develop rapidly, and may gradually, at a slow pace.

The amount of liquid there are the following types of ascites:

  • Small. The amount of liquid does not exceed 3 liters, any symptoms usually does not cause. Small ascites is defined only instrumental examination (ultrasound, laparoscopy).
  • Average ascites. The greater the amount of fluid in the abdomen causes it to change its shape, but the sharp tension of the anterior abdominal wall is still missing, there is difficulty of movement of the diaphragm.
  • Large ascites is diagnosed when a cluster of 20-30 or more liters of fluid in the abdomen. Stomach already prevent movement of the patient, causing breathing difficulties.

Depending on the "behavior" of fluids are distinguished:

  • Transient ascites, which is often combined with a small form. He disappears after treatment with the improvement of the condition of the patient.
  • Stationary ascites – a condition in which, despite treatment, fluid remains in the abdominal cavity.
  • With tense ascites fluid in the belly is constantly growing, and the treatment has no effect in this regard.

What are the causes of ascites?

Quite often, ascites develops as a result of severe liver damage – cirrhosis. The fact that the damaged liver "filter" can not let through the amount of blood that "filter" a healthy liver. Part of the liquid fraction of blood as it is squeezed through the walls of the veins and turns in the surrounding tissues and abdominal cavity. Increased pressure in the portal vein (characteristic symptom of cirrhosis) leads to increased fluid output.

especially transient, it disappears or stabiliziruemost the improvement of the status of the liver. As symptomatic treatment assigned diuretics, salt-free diet, restriction of fluid intake. Often bed rest is recommended, significantly reduce the accumulation of abdominal fluid.

If treatment fails, resort to puncture of the abdominal cavity, through which the liquid output. Sometimes the only way to help the patient gets a transplant of the liver, but it is not always possible. The percentage of adverse prognosis of the cirrhosis and ascites, sorry, great, but medical science continues to look for new methods of treatment.