Question 1

how do doctors tell if a person has ascites versus being just fat/bloated?

Accepted Answer

Ascites diangosis: Ascites can be discovered on a physical examination by detection a fluid wave in the abdomen. The definitive way to diagnose it is by an abdominal ultrasound which will detect it quite easily. If there is a question of the presence of ascites, have a doctor order one.

Question 2

i am sure i have ascites. my girth goes from 39 to 48 inches in an hour or so, then i can't breathe. they are telling me i'm just fat. my liver # are up. what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Ascites: Ascites is fluid in the abdomen. It does not come and go, it does not resolve on its own. Increased abdominal girth could come after eating or with bowel irregularity. Obesity can negatively affect the liver and cause blood test changes.  An ultrasound can see the liver and evaluate for ascites if indicated.

Question 3

can an ordinary person differentiate between belly fat & ascites?can ascites be pinched & pressed?can ascites be sucked in backward?do ascites change shape/volume at different times of the day?do ascites form rolls?do ascites come & go on its own?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Several causes of ascites. Main process secondary to mets to omentum because of high levels B transforming factor which then induces vascular permeability factor and leakage of ascites from vessels of wall of peritoneal cavity.  Second major cause is end stage liver disease.
Ascites conforms to shape of peritoneal cavity where belly fat expands in specific fat pad regions of abdominal wall.

Question 4

can ascites and belly fat be differentiated just by physical examination, without ultrasound? is ascites hard or soft?

Accepted Answer

Yes: ascites is a collection of peritineal fluid and can be detected by a physical exam and tapping out the belly. It is often associated with liver disease  increased venous pressure and malignancies. Fat can easily be distinguished from ascites. If there is a large collection of peritoneal fluid it can be tense and appear to be hard but it  itself is liquid.

Question 5

how can i tell if my large stomach is fat or ascites? would stomach get flatter when lying down if it was ascities? would i be able to grab when sitting? i always worry about stomach cancer because i get a lot of heartburn, could use your opinion?

Accepted Answer

: Your large stomach is from fat, unless proven otherwise. For ascites to produce a large stomach you would have to have cirrhosis and would have other symptoms, including swelling of the feet.  If you still have concern, see a doctor and an ultrasound examination should settle the issue.

Question 6

although i have good bmi and am skinny fat my stomach is starting to stick out and when i push it in the middle when laying down relaxed it quivers like a jelly or water bottle is this normal or could it be ascites or getting older?gp said normal.

Accepted Answer

Stomach: As women get older they tend to get hormonal changes which predispose to storing fat in the abdominal areas. Likely it is normal and your GP seemed to have confirmed this which is good!

Question 7

i have a left ovarian 12cm cystic mass with ascites found in ct. is septated with minimal peripheral enhancement. no calcification/fat component. & dilated appendix 13mm, subtle stranding, small local nodes. is this likely to be cancer?

Accepted Answer

Difficult to say: The simple answer is yes, this COULD be cancer BUT there are several other possibilities, including a range of benign (not life-threatening) conditions. The answer to your question most likely will come from blood tests and/or a tissue sample. A 12cm is large and in most situations you would have a surgery to remove this. You need to discuss this further with your specialist.

Question 8

when will my ascites go away?

Accepted Answer

Need to know Cause: Ascites can be caused from several things, so you can't get an answer on this without helping us know the source of the problem.

Question 9

what sort of problem is ascites?

Accepted Answer

Ascite: Is retention of fluid on the abdominal cavity. The liver is not able to maintain the flow of blood toward the heart. The liver becomes cirrhotic (scars down). This could be due to alcohol, hepatitis b or c, cancers.

Question 10

what is ascites? can it be sucked out?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Ascites is fluid in the abdominal cavity. There are many causes of ascites. Yes, it can be removed by a procedure called paracentesis. It is a fairly simple procedure done in a doctor's office. However, this is not a treatment for ascites. Paracentesis is used to help diagnose the cause of ascites, or to relieve the pressure from a buildup of a large amount of fluid.

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Doctor answers about:

Ascites or fat

A member asked:

How do doctors tell if a person has ascites versus being just fat/bloated?

A member asked:

I am sure i have ascites. my girth goes from 39 to 48 inches in an hour or so, then i can't breathe. they are telling me i'm just fat. my liver # are up. what should i do?

A member asked:

Can an ordinary person differentiate between belly fat & ascites?can ascites be pinched & pressed?can ascites be sucked in backward?do ascites change shape/volume at different times of the day?do ascites form rolls?do ascites come & go on its own?

A member asked:

Can ascites and belly fat be differentiated just by physical examination, without ultrasound? is ascites hard or soft?

A member asked:

How can i tell if my large stomach is fat or ascites? would stomach get flatter when lying down if it was ascities? would i be able to grab when sitting? i always worry about stomach cancer because i get a lot of heartburn, could use your opinion?

A member asked:

Although i have good bmi and am skinny fat my stomach is starting to stick out and when i push it in the middle when laying down relaxed it quivers like a jelly or water bottle is this normal or could it be ascites or getting older?gp said normal.

A member asked:

I have a left ovarian 12cm cystic mass with ascites found in ct. is septated with minimal peripheral enhancement. no calcification/fat component. & dilated appendix 13mm, subtle stranding, small local nodes. is this likely to be cancer?

A member asked:

When will my ascites go away?

A member asked:

What sort of problem is ascites?

A member asked:

What is ascites? can it be sucked out?

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