Patient's question:
I usually drink a lot of beer, probably about 500ml a day. A few months ago, I went to the hospital for treatment and was told I have mild liver cirrhosis. They gave me a week of intravenous fluids and prescribed many medications before discharging me. Recently, over the past week, I noticed my abdomen has become larger for some unknown reason. I would like to ask, what are the symptoms of liver cirrhosis and ascites?Doctor's answer:
The symptoms of ascites in cirrhosis initially appear gradually and may recur, such as abdominal pain. As the condition worsens, symptoms like abdominal distension (e.g., drum-like abdomen) may develop. The patient may experience symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and bilateral lower limb edema. During a careful examination, positive shifting dullness may be observed, and a slight pressure on the abdomen may produce a wave-like sensation.After the onset of ascites, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly for symptomatic treatment, such as diuretics and albumin infusion, to slow the progression of the disease.