Ascites in liver cirrhosis and frequency of its manifestation in patients

Cirrhosis of the liver is considered a dangerous disease due to the irreversibility of its destructive processes. If we talk about the treatment, then we will talk about methods that would help maximize the patient's life. Often, cirrhosis provokes the simultaneous development of other pathologies, for example, as ascites arises with cirrhosis of the liver - this is an excess of fluid in the abdominal area.

Ascites provokes a strong squeezing of the abdominal cavity organs due to the large volume of fluid in it. This is how the diaphragm is pushed back and the heart is broken. The danger of ascites is the unpredictability of the course. At times, pathology is diagnosed only with a huge amount of fluid and change the appearance of the human body.

This is important! The disease itself develops in the defeat of other organs of the digestive system, but with cirrhosis of the liver ascites progresses very quickly, one can even say instantly, when in a few hours the body accumulates a lot of excess fluid and excess sodium. The longer the accumulation of liquid takes place, the less chance remains for a favorable outcome.

Why ascites is a frequent complication of cirrhosis

Ascites in medicine are considered to be a complication of cirrhosis. More precisely, it is a clinical sign that indicates the progression of cirrhosis, which makes itself felt in 75 cases out of 100. In other situations, cirrhosis can cause oncology, heart failure, tuberculosis, pancreatitis and other rare diseases.

Ascites are caused by any liver damage of acute or chronic course with characteristic toxic damage. The main causes of ascites are:

1. The affected liver can no longer pass through itself and filter the volume of blood that passed before, therefore part of the blood, more precisely, its liquid fraction, begins to penetrate through the venous walls and is shown in the tissues of the abdominal part. Simultaneously, the pressure in the portal vein rises, provoking an increase in the volume of the outflowing fluid.
2. Sometimes the cause of fluid accumulation is the lack of realization of the protein-synthetic function. The ability of the blood to restrain the liquid fraction within the vessels simply decreases, so it penetrates beyond them and remains in the abdominal part.
3. According to the doctors, the direct cause of the pathology is the poor performance of the lymphatic system, the liver produces almost 70% of all lymph, and cirrhosis causes organ trauma and an extra burden on the lymph flow. Thus, in the affected area there is a malfunction, the lymph pressure rises and a part of it enters the abdominal region.

Characteristic for ascites manifestations of

The main symptom of the disease is a strong and rapid increase in the stomach volume of the patient due to the active accumulation of liquid in it. In addition, the pathology is accompanied by the following symptoms, which can not be ignored:

• Abdominal hangup - which is very noticeable in the standing position. In prone position the abdomen becomes flat again, as the liquid spreads.
• Deforming the abdomen due to an increase in its size, provoking the prolapse of the navel, stretching the skin at the site of edema. Also, the skin becomes transparent and shines due to stretch marks.
• Extra fluid in the abdomen becomes the cause of difficulty in slanting forward.
• The abdomen shows an expanded network of veins, the rays of which go away from the navel.
• Flatulence.
• Pain and a feeling of heaviness in the abdominal area.
• Edema in the legs.
• Shortness of breath, even when walking slowly.

Treatment of pathology and prevention of further complications

Treatment of cirrhosis of the liver with ascites begins after an accurate diagnosis and identify the causes of the lesion. The doctor prescribes therapy with medications that will help restore the normal water-salt balance in the body and rid it of excess fluid. Laparocenesis is often performed - this is a procedure that helps to take fluid from the abdominal cavity to establish its exact composition. The same procedure will help pump out the liquid. Laparocentesis is not an operation and full. For her organization, a puncture in the peritoneum is made and gradual pumping is carried out - this is a simple process, but on condition that the nagging is slow and in small parts.

Nutrition for cirrhosis of the liver with ascites - also plays an important role in treatment. In outpatient care, the patient should carefully monitor and prevent a sharp decrease in body weight. If a person loses more than 1 kg, he should inform the attending physician about this.

This is important! Nutrition is the main method of treatment. The minimum intake of salt in the body will allow the removal of fluid and restore diuresis.

As a rule, diuretics are used in treatment, and in the first stages - a laxative. If for a long time the results are absent, then the administration of strong diuretics is prescribed, which are rather mild in composition and will not cause the excretion of potassium from the body.

In order for the forecast to be favorable, it is required to completely abandon spirits. Even a minimum of alcohol in the body can significantly complicate the condition and reduce to zero all the advances in treatment.

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