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What Are The Symptoms One Can Get Before Ascites?

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Posted on Tue, 1 Apr 2014
Question: am a 53 year old male. I am proportionately built except that I have a large belly and have had for several years. I drink about 6 beers a day. In October 2011 I went to my doctor with a bloated feeling. He thought I had ascites. I had slightly elevated liver enzymes, but not too bad. An ultrasound showed no ascites, but gallstones. A couple of weeks later, I had a gall bladder attack and had it removed. No one said anything to me at that time about any liver damage. In November 2012, I had my liver enzymes checked and they were perfect. I still had the big belly and when my stomach was tapped while lying down, you could see the "fluid wave". My doctor said it was fat. I still see this and every so often, I get concerned that I might have developed ascites. I find myself checking myself all the time and thinking the worst. My question is this: if ascites is present would I not have some other symptoms. And what would they be? Wouldn't you develop some other symptoms before ascites? I am under the impression that ascites is an end stage symptom of liver disease. Any thoughts would be appreciated
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Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: symptoms possible to see before ascites Detailed Answer: Hi. I can understand your worry about the ascites. It is very true that the ascites is end-stage symptom / sign of liver disease. The symptoms one can get before ascites is developed are: Pallor- pale appearance. Swelling on the feet and face to start with and later on the whole body. Breathlessness. Muscle wasting- disproportionate enlargement of belly as against the limbs. Loss of appetite. Blood in vomiting. Enlargement of the belly ( abdomen) which is tight, not easily compressible. Appearance of icterus/ jaundice. Enlargement of veins on the abdomen and lower limbs. Red spots like small spider on skin. * Most of the symptoms develop all together within a period of few weeks, and it it is difficult to say what will appear first or last. Ultrasonography detects the stage of the liver disease and detects ascites even if in small quantity. I hope this answer finds you to clear the doubts you have.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19778 Questions

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What Are The Symptoms One Can Get Before Ascites?

Brief Answer: symptoms possible to see before ascites Detailed Answer: Hi. I can understand your worry about the ascites. It is very true that the ascites is end-stage symptom / sign of liver disease. The symptoms one can get before ascites is developed are: Pallor- pale appearance. Swelling on the feet and face to start with and later on the whole body. Breathlessness. Muscle wasting- disproportionate enlargement of belly as against the limbs. Loss of appetite. Blood in vomiting. Enlargement of the belly ( abdomen) which is tight, not easily compressible. Appearance of icterus/ jaundice. Enlargement of veins on the abdomen and lower limbs. Red spots like small spider on skin. * Most of the symptoms develop all together within a period of few weeks, and it it is difficult to say what will appear first or last. Ultrasonography detects the stage of the liver disease and detects ascites even if in small quantity. I hope this answer finds you to clear the doubts you have.