Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, causes symptoms that include difficulty breathing due to pressure on the lungs, loss of appetite because of pressure on the stomach and abdominal swelling. Many diseases and conditions affect various systems and organs in the body and cause ascites. Treatment goals include comfort measures along with identification and treatment of the underlying cause. Ascites can be a symptom of something mild and treatable or something fatal.
Liver Disease
The liver, which consists of two main lobes, is supplied by two types of blood sources: The hepatic artery supplies oxygenated blood and the portal vein supplies nutrient-rich blood. The liver provides more than 500 vital functions for the body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Many symptoms can indicate the presence of liver disease. Jaundice, which may be the only sign of liver disease, is the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to elevated bilirubin, reports UMMC. Other symptoms of liver disease include ascites, liver enlargement and liver failure.
Heart Failure
Heart failure, a chronic condition where the pumping action of the heart is insufficient to supply enough blood to the body, can affect one or both sides of the heart. Conditions that can cause heart failure include heart valve disease, abnormal heart rhythms, congenital heart disease and heart attack. Symptoms of heart failure include a buildup of fluid in the lungs, liver and intestinal tract that causes swelling of the abdomen, weight gain from fluid retention, fatigue, cough and shortness of breath. Management of heart failure includes monitoring weight gain, reducing salt and sodium intake, medications and surgical intervention such as a pacemaker, heart valve replacement, coronary bypass surgery and angioplasty, according to MedlinePlus.
Stomach Cancer
Of all the types of stomach cancers, adenocarcinomas account for about 95 percent and occur in about 21,000 people in the Unites States each year, reports The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Possible causes of stomach cancer include stomach polyps and infections with Helicobacter pylori. Early symptoms resemble those common to peptic ulcer disease, such as burning abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness. Other symptoms may include weight loss, anemia, vomiting blood and black stools. Spreading of the adenocarcinoma can cause symptoms such as jaundice and ascites. The only hope of cure from adenocarcinoma of the stomach is removal of the tumor before it penetrates deep into the stomach wall. According to Merck, the prognosis is that fewer than 15 percent will live more than five years.
