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Ascites

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• Treatment

Definition:

Ascites is excess fluid in the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and abdominal organs (the peritoneal cavity).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Ascites is typically caused by liver disease . Disorders that may be associated with ascites include:

• Cirrhosis
• Hepatitis
• Portal vein thrombosis (clots in the veins of the liver)
• Constrictive pericarditis
• Congestive heart failure
• Liver cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Protein-losing enteropathy
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Pancreatitis

• Review Date: 10/26/2006
• Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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