Guest guest Posted February 22, 2004 Report Share Posted February 22, 2004 Is swelling in the ankles/feet/legs and stomach something to be worried about? Thanks. Nikki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2004 Report Share Posted February 22, 2004 Hi Nikki; I think this is called " Ascites " and it is commonly associated with chronic liver disease. It is definitely something that you should talk to your doctor about. Others in the group may be able to give you specific pointers as to how to cope with this? For a web article on ascites, see: Ascites (The Merck Manual - Second Home Edition - Ch. 135) " Ascites is the accumulation of protein-containing (ascitic) fluid in the abdominal cavity. " ... " In some people with ascites, the ankles swell with excess fluid (edema). " http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home2/sec10/ch135/ch135f.jsp Best regards, and take care, Dave http://home.insightbb.com/~rhodesdavid/ > Is swelling in the ankles/feet/legs and stomach something to be > worried about? Thanks. > > Nikki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2004 Report Share Posted February 22, 2004 Nikki, Short answer is yes, it’s something to be concerned about, especially if its onset is sudden. Edema and Ascites are common complications of advanced liver disease. If you’ve not evidenced it before, if it has manifested itself suddenly, or if it has previously been present but mild and now is pronounced you should seek the advice of your Hepatologist. Most common treatment is reduction or elimination of salt intake, and administration of diuretics. Ascites increases the risk of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis – an infection of the ascitic fluid, which is difficult to treat and can become life threatening quite rapidly. Some centers routinely use longterm course of antibiotic treatment as prophylaxis against SBP in patients with even moderate ascites. Severe ascites can interfere with breathing, eating, and walking. Paracentesis is sometimes used to draw off the fluid in severe cases, but this is a stopgap, and the fluid will often return within a matter of days or weeks. Steve Rahn PSC '80, L Tx 9/6 & 9/8 '85. (Wash. U-STL) Recurrent PSC '02, (re) Born on the 4th of July, 2003 (U of Iowa) www.presumedconsent.org " Solve the Problem, not the Solution " Dean Kamen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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