Ascites refers to an accumulation of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity, or the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and abdominal organs. Several medical conditions can contribute to the development of ascites, but it most often results from cirrhosis of the liver. The treatment of ascites consists of treating its underlying cause and removing the excess fluid.
Diuretics
According to the Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education, low-dose oral diuretics, or water pills, rapidly reduce the excessive fluid that accumulates in the peritoneal cavity. Diuretics work by forcing the excessive fluid out of the peritoneal cavity. The person urinates out the excess fluid that's removed. People who take diuretics usually have their weight taken on a daily basis. The daily weight indicates the amount of fluid that's removed, and it helps doctors to prescribe different or additional medication. A drastic drop in weight and an increase in weight both suggest alternate medication therapy.
Reduce Sodium Intake
MedlinePlus recommends limiting salt in the diet to no more than 1,500mg a day. Consuming extra sodium can further complicate the fluid buildup because water normally accompanies sodium throughout the body. In other words, the body uses water to flush out the salt and an excessive intake of salt causes fluid retention because the body can't keep up its normal fluid excretion.
Paracentesis
Paracentesis treats ascites when other methods fail to remove the excess fluid or when complications develop, reports "The New York Times" Health Guide. Paracentesis involves using a thin needle to withdraw the excess fluid out from the abdomen.
Antibiotics
The accumulating fluid inside the peritoneal cavity has the tendency to harbor infectious organisms. A high white blood cell count may indicate an infection in people who have ascites, states "The New York Times" Health Guide. The person may also exhibit a fever and abdominal pain as well, notes MedlinePlus. The doctor may recommend intravenous antibiotic therapy to treat the infection.
Avoid Certain Items
The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education advises all people who have ascites to minimize their consumption of alcohol. Alcohol can worsen the fluid buildup in the peritoneal cavity and avoiding it helps with decreasing the excessive fluid. People with ascites should also minimize their use of all nonsterodial anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. NSAIDs can narrow the blood vessels to the kidneys, and the narrow blood vessels reduce blood flow to the kidneys. Reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases their ability to appropriately filter out the fluid, thus enabling excess fluid to remain in the body.
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