What do ascites look like?
The appearance of ascites depends on various factors, including their severity. If you have mild ascites, your abdomen may appear normal. In severe cases, your abdomen may appear large and distended. It is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity that results in a distended abdomen. In some cases, the belly button may protrude from the body.
Are ascites life-threatening?
Ascites can cause life-threatening diseases, like spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, which is a bacterial infection of the ascetic fluid. If it is not detected and treated on time, the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis. Sepsis can then cause a systemic inflammatory response and circulatory dysfunction. The end-stage result is organ failure and damage, including kidney failure or exacerbating liver disorders.
Other health complications that are associated with ascites include malnutrition, pleural effusion, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hepatorenal syndrome.