Severe ascites looks like a significantly swollen, tight, and distended abdomen (a "pot belly" or balloon-like appearance) with rapid weight gain, a stretched navel (belly button), and often bulging flanks, accompanied by discomfort, shortness of breath, and sometimes swollen ankles, due to massive fluid buildup between the abdominal layers.
2) Moderate ascites (grade 2) can be detected on physical examination. The fluid volume is usually >500 mL. 3) Severe ascites (grade 3) causes abdominal distension accompanied by flattening of the umbilicus or umbilical hernia. Dyspnea indicates that the peritoneal fluid volume is large, up to ~5 to 15 L.
Case report: In this case report, we describe a rare case of amlodipine induced massive ascites in a 30-year-old male with renal transplantation. Conclusion: We aimed to create awareness that pharmacologic causes should be considered in cases of ascites of unknown aetiology.
If you know you have ascites, get medical help straightaway if:
Ascites (fluid in the belly)
This can make the abdomen enlarge like a balloon filled with water. The legs can get swollen too. This can be very uncomfortable.
In the absence of liver transplantation, a diagnosis of refractory ascites confers a median life expectancy of ≤6 months [3–5].
The shape of the abdomen often suggests ascites fluid. On lying down, the flanks are full but on standing the ascites fluid accumulates in the lower abdomen.
Abdominal fluid can leak into your chest and lungs, causing shortness of breath, cough and hypoxemia (lack of oxygen in your blood). You may need thoracentesis to remove the fluid. Ascites-related hernias. The increase in abdominal pressure can lead to hernias.
Symptoms of acute liver failure may include:
The decline in quality of life associated with malignant ascites can be ameliorated by treating the ascites itself (see Fast Fact # 177). Presentation and diagnostics Symptoms include abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, anorexia, dyspnea, lower extremity edema, weight gain, and reduced mobility.
Common side effects
Background. Vasodilatory edema is a frequently encountered side effect among hypertensive patients using antihypertensive drugs. Amlodipine and nifedipine are common drugs associated with vasodilatory edema.
Conclusions. This case illustrates that when high doses of atorvastatin are co-administered with amlodipine as a secondary prevention for cardiovascular risk, the combination may pose a risk for serious myotoxicity, such as rhabdomyolysis.
Gross appearance
Under normal conditions, peritoneal fluid is clear to pale yellow. Bloody ascites is a characteristic of benign or malignant tumors, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, or perforated ulcer,23 whereas clear or straw colored ascites is often associated with cirrhosis.
If you have ascites, contact your provider right away if you have:
Sometimes bloating is caused by the buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which usually causes a gradual increase in abdominal size. This is called ascites. The abdomen will often have a dull sound if tapped and the swelling may shift with movement. Sometimes, ascites can cause severe distention of the abdomen.
If there are symptoms of liver disease, they may include: Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. Yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black or brown skin. Belly pain and swelling.
Serious atorvastatin side effects are rare but possible. They include liver, kidney, and severe muscle damage. Atorvastatin can also cause blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise, increasing the risk of diabetes in certain people. But for most people prescribed atorvastatin, its benefits outweigh this risk.
Fetor hepaticus is a distinct smell on the breath of someone with liver disease. It happens when your liver can't filter certain toxic substances from your blood anymore. These substances build up in your blood and come out in your breath. You may also detect the same smell in your pee or sweat.
Malignant ascites can occur in patients with colon, pancreatic, breast, and lung primaries with the development of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The life expectancy of such patients is generally limited to weeks to months after the onset of ascites.
In patients with massive ascites, death can occur due to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, nephrotic syndrome, heart failure, or acute liver failure as a complication of cirrhotic ascites.
The ascites fluid can be drained through a process called large volume paracentesis (or LVP). But the fluid will build up again after the LVP and so some people will need to have it done every 7-10 days.
If you have ascites, be sure to learn more from a nutritionist who specializes in the liver about your unique needs. Medications called diuretics may be prescribed, which make the kidneys excrete more sodium and water into your urine, causing you to urinate more frequently.
Ascites: Your abdomen feels tense, hard, and may even shift fluid when pressed (called a “fluid wave”). You might feel discomfort when bending or breathing. Belly Fat: Your belly feels soft or doughy and doesn't cause pain unless you have associated bloating or digestion issues.
Grade 3: Large or gross ascites with marked abdominal distension. According to the presence of complications. Uncomplicated: ascites that is not refractory, not infected (ie, SBP) nor associated with renal failure (ie, HRS)