Question 1

does perihepatic ascites cause pain?  how long does it take to go away and what are potential causes?

Accepted Answer

Generally no: A small amount of perihepatic ascites is usually not painful.  Possible causes include chronic liver disease or the sequelae of an acute insult to the liver (medication injury or cholecystitis).

Question 2

had a ultrasound done and it found a small amount of perihepatic ascites. bloodwork is good and abdominal ct + ultrasound from 8 months prior were good. i do have a bit of fatty liver but no other issues. could this be a misinterpretation or normal?

Accepted Answer

:  It could.Ultrasound is not as precise as a CT. If indicated by your doc that would be the next move

Question 3

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 4

can ascites be fatal?

Accepted Answer

See below: Ascites is caused by serious illness. Though it usually does not cause death by itself, the underlying reason for ascites can be fatal. Liver disease and cancer are 2 common causes of ascites.

Question 5

can malaria cause ascites?

Accepted Answer

Possible: Ascites or fluid in the abdomen is not usual presentation , how ever was  reported from the centers with large series , and people over the age of 50 years. ( picture is not malaria  blood smear slide ).

Question 6

what is the cure for ascites?

Accepted Answer

Depends on source: Ascites, the leaking of serum fluid into the peritoneal cavity can arise from different sources.  End stage liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension can cause extensive ascites.  A liver transplant may be the only source for relief.  Ovaian Cancer that spreads to the omentum releases a vascular permeability factor.  Here tumor debulking and chemo may produce the desired results.

Question 7

how does anaemia leads to ascites?

Accepted Answer

Anemia alone: does not cause ascites. However, if there is heart failure,  anemia aggravates  fluid retention including ascites.

Question 8

why does ascites affect breathing?

Accepted Answer

Diaphragm: Ascites is an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm, which is the muscle that divides the abdomen from the thoracic cavity( where the lungs are located) , helps in pulling air into the lungs, any accumulation of fluid in the abdomen will increase the intrabdominal pressure thus pushing on the diaphragm upward, preventing it from helping in drawing air into the lungs properly.

Question 9

can walking help reduce some ascites?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: Ascites typically forms when liver disease makes it difficult for the blood to filter through the liver back to the systemic circulation, similar to a clogged filter.  Exercise will not improve this.

Question 10

does walking as exercise make ascites worse?

Accepted Answer

Ascites: In and of itself walking will not make ascites worse.  Resistance exercises such as weight lifting with moderate to heavy resistance can due to increase vascular pressures that occur. Walking should not bother it and can help in so many other ways both physically, mentally, and psychologically.

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Doctor answers about:

Perihepatic ascites

A member asked:

Does perihepatic ascites cause pain? how long does it take to go away and what are potential causes?

A member asked:

Had a ultrasound done and it found a small amount of perihepatic ascites. bloodwork is good and abdominal ct + ultrasound from 8 months prior were good. i do have a bit of fatty liver but no other issues. could this be a misinterpretation or normal?

A member asked:

What sort of problem is ascites?

A member asked:

Can ascites be fatal?

A member asked:

Can malaria cause ascites?

A member asked:

What is the cure for ascites?

A member asked:

How does anaemia leads to ascites?

A member asked:

Why does ascites affect breathing?

A member asked:

Can walking help reduce some ascites?

A member asked:

Does walking as exercise make ascites worse?

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