Is hepatic ascites serious? What are the dangers?

The liver is an important organ in our body. The occurrence of ascites is actually an inflammation of the liver, which leads to an increase in fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Ascites needs to be treated promptly, otherwise it will affect other organs. To take disease seriously, we must know the harm of disease.

Dangers of ascites in liver cirrhosis

1. Aggravate liver cell damage

After ascites is formed, a large amount of fluid infiltrates into the abdominal cavity, causing blood concentration, reduced effective circulating blood volume, increased blood viscosity, and slow blood flow, which can cause hypotension or shock, reduce blood flow to the liver, aggravate liver ischemia and hypoxia, and aggravate liver cell necrosis.

2. Prone to secondary infection

Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity is conducive to bacterial growth, especially when abdominal puncture or ascites drainage is performed, it is more likely to cause secondary infection, which may cause secondary or primary peritonitis.

3. Cause hepatic encephalopathy

A large amount of albumin and electrolytes enter the abdominal cavity along with ascites, which reduces plasma protein and electrolytes, causing hypoproteinemia and hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia and other blood disorders, reducing plasma colloid and crystal osmotic pressure, and promoting the formation of ascites, resulting in a vicious circle. This is an important cause of hepatic encephalopathy.