What does it mean to have ascites in the late stage of liver cirrhosis, and what should be done?

Generally, late-stage cirrhosis with ascites may be caused by aging, malnutrition, viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, or cardiogenic cirrhosis. Under a doctor's guidance, medication therapy can be used. If discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Aging

With increasing age, the functions of various organs gradually decline, and the liver's metabolic and regenerative capacity diminishes. Aging livers are more susceptible to various damaging factors, such as chronic inflammation and toxin accumulation, which may progressively develop into cirrhosis. When cirrhosis reaches its late stages, severe liver dysfunction and elevated portal venous pressure may lead to fluid leakage into the abdominal cavity, forming ascites. Patients may take medications such as compound glycyrrhizin tablets, silymarin capsules, and polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules under medical guidance.

2. Malnutrition

Long-term inadequate intake or nutritional imbalance leading to a deficiency in essential nutrients can impair the liver's normal metabolism and regeneration, worsening liver cell damage. Additionally, hypoalbuminemia decreases plasma colloid osmotic pressure, promoting fluid leakage into the abdominal cavity and resulting in ascites. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as compound amino acid injection, fat emulsion injection, and vitamin B12 injection for treatment.

3. Viral Hepatitis

Viral infection of liver cells causes inflammation and necrosis. Long-term viral infection leads to repeated liver cell damage and repair, gradually resulting in liver fibrosis and subsequently cirrhosis. In late-stage cirrhosis, portal hypertension and impaired liver function may lead to ascites, along with symptoms such as fatigue and jaundice. Patients may take medications such as entecavir dispersible tablets, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate tablets, and adefovir dipivoxil capsules under a doctor's recommendation.

4. Alcoholic Liver Disease

Long-term heavy alcohol consumption causes toxic effects on liver cells from alcohol and its metabolites, leading to alcoholic liver disease. Alcohol-induced liver damage causes fatty degeneration, inflammation, and necrosis, eventually progressing to cirrhosis. In late-stage cirrhosis, severe liver dysfunction and portal hypertension lead to ascites formation, often accompanied by symptoms such as loss of appetite and fatigue. Patients may take medications such as metadoxine capsules, compound diethylamine dichloroacetate tablets, and ornithine aspartate granules under medical guidance.

5. Cardiogenic Cirrhosis

Long-standing cardiac insufficiency results in hepatic congestion, causing liver cell hypoxia and malnutrition, which may gradually develop into cirrhosis. Ascites becomes more pronounced in late-stage cirrhosis, often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue and edema. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as digoxin tablets, furosemide tablets, and spironolactone tablets for treatment.

In daily life, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and increase intake of high-quality proteins, such as lean meats, fish, and eggs, while avoiding spicy, greasy, and irritating foods. Smoking should be avoided, alcohol consumption limited, excessive fatigue prevented, and sufficient sleep ensured.