What are the symptoms of hepatic ascites?

Jun 29, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

It has been a long time since we last saw the child's grandfather. When we saw him today, we noticed that his abdomen was very swollen. He mentioned that he has developed ascites due to liver disease. What are the symptoms of liver-related ascites?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Jiang Chenggang
The main symptoms of hepatic ascites include the following aspects: 1. Abdominal distension: Hepatic ascites causes an increase in fluid accumulation within the abdominal cavity, leading to an enlarged abdomen and a visibly distended appearance. 2. Abdominal bloating and pain: As ascites increases, the pressure within the abdominal cavity rises, causing a sensation of bloating and possibly abdominal pain, which can be either persistent or intermittent. 3. Decreased appetite: Due to abdominal bloating and pain, the patient's appetite significantly decreases, resulting in a deterioration of nutritional status. 4. Other symptoms: Additional symptoms may include fever, fatigue, edema of the lower extremities, and varicose veins in the abdominal wall. Fever is typically caused by infection secondary to ascites, while fatigue results from impaired liver function and abnormal energy metabolism in the body. The presence of these symptoms indicates that the patient may have hepatic ascites, and timely medical attention along with appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment is necessary.