Know your medical terms: Ascites

Medical jargon is often difficult to decipher and understand. Here's our attempt to try and decipher medical jargon.

By: Pavitra Sampath | | Updated: September 25, 2014 1:58 pm

There are many times when we visit a doctor for a common ache or pain, and he/she uses big and scary sounding words to tell us what we are suffering from. But that jargon often has a common and simple explanation. So here is today’s word – ascites. Also Read - Acne: Eat these 5 vegetables to fight pimples

If you have ever seen a friend or family member have a swollen stomach or abdomen, and he/she is suffering from liver cirrhosis, you are most likely to hear the doctor say that he/she has ascites. Also Read - Uterine fibroids, polyps and cysts -- what is the difference?

Ascites is the term used to describe the buildup of fluid between the abdominal organs and the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal cavity). Formed due to the leakage of serous fluid (fluid that surrounds red blood cells in the blood) into the body, this fluid is usually yellow in colour and is largely made up of serous liquid. Also Read - Know your medical terms: Blister

The most common disease that causes ascites is liver cirrhosis, but other conditions can also precipitate its formation. Why liver cirrhosis is thought to be the main culprit, is because it leads to portal hypertension (increase in the blood pressure in the veins leading into and out of the liver) which in turn causes excessive leakage of serous fluid into the abdomen.

Diagnosis and treatment:

Usually diagnosed by a physical examination, a doctor may advise a sonography, blood test and samples of the fluid to diagnose it appropriately. The treatment includes draining the fluid and treating the root of the problem.

If left untreated this condition leads to a host of other complications including compression of internal organs and a sudden increase in the blood pressure due to the force exerted due to fluid build up.

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel.

Published : September 10, 2013 3:34 pm | Updated:September 25, 2014 1:58 pm

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