Water retention results in the accumulation of fluid in the body cavities and tissues. In cases of midriff water retention, the fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, making it difficult to breathe and perform normal daily activities. Several medical conditions cause midriff water retention, also referred to as abdominal ascites.
Liver Disease
Liver disease is the most common cause of ascites, according to the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago. Liver diseases that cause midriff water retention include alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver failure and liver cancer. Dr. Glen Hastings of the University of Kansas School of Medicine explains that cirrhosis accounts for 80 percent of ascites cases. The liver produces a protein known as albumin, which helps control the amount of fluid in the body. These liver diseases reduce albumin production, resulting in the accumulation of excess fluid in the abdomen.
Kidney Disease
The kidneys eliminate wastes from the body by filtering the blood and producing urine. These organs also maintain normal fluid levels in the body. If fluid levels increase, the kidneys excrete more fluid in the form of urine. If fluid levels decrease, the kidneys send more water back into the circulatory system. When kidney disease and kidney failure result in reduced kidney function, the kidneys have difficulty carrying out these functions. Excess fluid accumulates in the abdomen, legs, ankles and other parts of the body.
Congestive Heart Failure
In cases of congestive heart failure, the heart does not pump enough blood to the rest of the body. The most common form of heart failure, left-sided heart failure, causes fluid to back up in the lungs. Right-sided heart failure causes fluid to accumulate in the legs, feet and abdomen. This results in midriff water retention and visible swelling of the legs and feet. Causes of heart failure include heart attack, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart valve defects, inflammation of the heart muscle, heart muscle damage and abnormal heart rhythm.
Constrictive Pericarditis
Constrictive pericarditis results from the inflammation of the sac that covers the heart. This inflammation causes scarring, thickening and muscle tightening, and occurs in cases of heart surgery, tuberculosis and radiation treatment to the chest. The chronic inflammation causes the pericardium to become rigid, which makes it difficult for the heart to stretch when it beats. This causes blood to back up behind the heart. The accumulation of blood behind the heart causes midriff water retention, weakness, fatigue, leg and ankle swelling, difficulty breathing and excessive tiredness.
Peritonitis
The peritoneum surrounds the organs of the abdomen and protects them from damage. When inflammation affects this membrane, it results in peritonitis. Primary peritonitis occurs when an infection spreads to the peritoneum from the circulatory system or lymph nodes. Secondary peritonitis occurs when an infection of the gastrointestinal tract spreads to the peritoneum. This condition causes abdominal water retention, fever, loss of appetite, chills, nausea, reduced urine output, vomiting and inability to pass a bowel movement.
Fluid Leaks
When fluid leaks into the abdomen, it causes midriff water retention and other symptoms. Blood and fluid can leak into the abdomen from the circulatory system. In cases of pancreas damage, pancreatic fluid leaks into the abdomen. Bile may also leak into the abdomen in cases of liver or gallbladder damage.
