Ascites is a condition whereby the abdomen is full of fluid that causes the tightness and swelling of your belly. This build up puts pressure on the internal organs and could lead to pain and complications in breathing. Physical examination and ultrasound are used to diagnose the ascites by gastroenterologist. Early detection is the most important in complications prevention.
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Symptoms Ascites could be an effect of several reasons:
Consult immediately in case you have the symptoms of ascites. Our clinic, GastroDoxs, is board certified liver and GI specialists in Houston, where we offer individualized treatise, dietary directives and diuretics to the extent of paracentesis and complex catheter placements. Intervention We engage with patient-centered care, which entails syntactic patients practicing compassion and premium diagnostics to make your fluid build-up under control and get you to a healthier living achievement. Get the call and take the first step to being permanently relieved.
We've successfully treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Small meal consumption coupled with a perception of fullness in the abdomen, slight weight gain or heightened waist-line are the first signs of ascites.
The general ICD-10 code of the ascites is R18.
Ascites is detected with physical examination (shifting dullness or fluid wave), abdominal ultrasound, and in some exceptional cases, it is detected by taking part in diagnostic paracentesis (fluid analysis).
Ascites represents an indicator of decompensated cirrhosis, the Stage 3 or 4 liver disease in which the liver can no longer balance the body fluids.
Yes. Restriction of sodium to less than 2 grams/day reduces the body fluid retention and helps in in controlling ascites combined with other interventions.
Life expectancy varies depending on the cause and the reaction to treatment as well as the general health. It is possible to have lots of patients who manage to live a good life in the years that follow its management.
Ascites and cirrhosis means that the liver is extremely scarred that leads to poor circulation of blood and low amount of albumin in the body hence the accumulation of the fluid in the belly.
Yes. Numerous medical media and your provider could provide you with educational images of mild accumulation of abdominal fluid.
An organization that is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of ascites in patients in the Houston area is the GastroDoxs board-certified gastroenterologists and hepatologists.
The complication will become an emergency when you experience pain in the abdomen, high fever, rapid breaths, or any signs of an infection (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) and urgent care is necessary.
