Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver is chronically inflamed and damaged due to chronic abuse and injury. When the damage is severe, scar tissue develops, which can block the liver's functions. The liver's main functions include controlling infections, processing nutrients and hormones, regulating normal blood clotting and producing bile to help absorb fat and fat-soluble vitamins. Cirrhosis is a severe condition that can cause many other side-effects, such as ascites, or water retention. A low-sodium diet can help reduce your risk of ascites.
Complications of Ascites
Excessive water retention --- which usually happens in the lower extremities and the abdominal area --- can cause abdominal pain, discomfort and difficulty breathing and moving. Also, it may cause something called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, or SBP, which a general infection of the fluid around your abdomen. Another complication can be ascite-related hernias, which can be painful and might need surgical repair.
Treating Ascites
Aside from prescribing water pills or diuretics, your physician will recommend that you follow a low-sodium diet, limiting your sodium intake to 2 to 4 g of sodium, depending on the severity of your water retention. You should also make an appointment with a registered dietitian, as it is sometimes hard to determine the salt content of some foods, especially those without any nutrition labels. You may also want to ask your RD if it is alright to use a salt substitute, if flavor is important to you.
Other Treatment
When a low-sodium diet is not enough to reduce the amount of water retention in your body, certain complications can arise. If fluid accumulation cannot be treated optimally with diet or water pills, you might require a procedure known as parecentesis, in which the fluid is removed physically by your physician. Ascites is a serious heath risk, and you should try to follow the recommended low-sodium diet even if you find it challenging.
Guidelines
A low-sodium diet requires that you limit and avoid foods that are high in sodium. Sodium is not necessarily just table salt; it is found in a variety of other foods. Avoid canned soups and vegetables, processed meats such as hot dogs, cured or pickled foods and ketchup. Other foods to avoid are salty snacks and processed snacks such as chips and French fries, and creamy salad dressings. In general, when checking the nutrition facts labels on foods, if the sodium content is above 300 mg per serving --- not per container --- it is considered a high-sodium food and you should avoid it or eat it in small quantities.
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