What are the early symptoms of ascites in the liver?

Update Date: 2024-10-01 Source: Network

Understanding Liver Cirrhosis with Ascites and Its Early Symptoms

Liver cirrhosis with ascites, also known as ascites due to liver cirrhosis, is a recurrent inflammatory condition of the liver. This condition significantly impacts one's health, yet many individuals are unaware of the early symptoms associated with it. In response to this, it is crucial for patients to seek prompt treatment upon the emergence of early symptoms.

Early Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis with Ascites

1. Swelling of facial features, altered complexion, increased abdominal circumference due to ascites, and edema in the lower extremities may be observed. When these symptoms manifest, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention for examination and diagnosis. Additionally, patients may experience various gastrointestinal symptoms to varying degrees in the early stages of ascites, such as decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting.

2. To recognize the early symptoms of liver cirrhosis with ascites, a notable physical manifestation is abdominal distension resembling a frog's belly, accompanied by symptoms like bloating and restlessness. The bloating often intensifies at night, causing difficulty in sleeping.

3. Mental abnormalities may also arise, characterized by sudden excitability and incoherent speech, inability to perform numerical calculations, and even progressing to hepatic coma. These are key indicators of liver cirrhosis with ascites.

4. Prior to the onset of the disease, patients may experience uncontrollable low-grade fever accompanied by an elevated neutrophil count. Blood tests may reveal low levels of sodium, potassium, and glucose that do not improve spontaneously.

5. In the initial stages of ascites, the abdomen may appear slightly enlarged, which some patients may mistakenly attribute to weight gain. To differentiate between obesity and early symptoms of ascites, one can observe the navel; ascites causes the navel to protrude, whereas in obesity, it is recessed. Furthermore, in obesity, the fat layers are thick throughout the body, except for the abdomen, whereas in the early stages of ascites, only the abdomen is significantly enlarged, with no notable changes in other body parts.