10 Hepatitis C Symptoms
Reviewed: Dr. Mera
Symptom #6: Ascites
Ascites is the abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen. To be precise, once there is more than 25 mL of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, it is considered ascites. Patients with ascites may experience increased abdominal size, abdominal discomfort, shortness of breath, and increased weight. In hepatitis C, ascites occurs as a result of liver cirrhosis.
However, it is also associated with cancer, tuberculosis, heart failure, blockage of the hepatic vein, and pancreatitis. Testing of the fluid in the abdominal cavity can help determine the underlying cause of ascites. Management of the condition includes a low-salt diet, diuretics, peritoneal tap, and a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.
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