Ask a doctor - What stage of liver disease are ascites?

Q. What stage of liver disease are ascites?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Ascites is a late stage of liver disease, which develops when the organ is significantly damaged. It's caused by an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and as such can be seen as a sign that cirrhosis and end-stage liver failure are imminent.

The buildup of ascitic fluid occurs due to portal hypertension, which increases pressure in the veins around the liver and causes them to leak out into other parts of the body. Cirrhosis damages these veins so much that it creates widespread scarring and makes this leakage more likely. Since fluid accumulates outside of blood vessels, it builds up in areas like your abdomen, where it forms what we call ascites. As this condition advances further and further, signs such as abdominal swelling, shortness of breath after exertion, fatigue or weight gain will become apparent too.

In order to diagnose ascites accurately you'll need to have some tests done including ultrasound scan or X-ray imaging with contrast agents injected into your bloodstream along with stool analysis for bacteria testing (your doctor might also take biopsy samples from your abdomen). To reduce symptoms associated with hepatic encephalopathy associated with ascites you may be prescribed diuretic medications to help draw out some excess fluids from your system but these must be taken only under medical supervision since incorrect dosage could lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalances resulting in confusion and even coma - both problems associated with advanced stages of chronic liver failure leading up possibly fatal outcomes if not managed swiftly enough by an experienced healthcare practitioner.