Question

1. Liver cirrhosis is a progressive disorder in which normal hepatocytes are replaced by scar tissue. This scarring damages blood vessels and can block blood flow through the liver. Patients with cirrhosis often present with ascites, an abnormal build-up of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Explain why this might occur. What other organs could be affected?

Answer 1

Ascites is termed as accumulation of protein containing ascitic fluid within the abdomen.

To understand ascitis in liver cirrhosis we meed to know what is portal hypertension.

Portal hypertension is termed as high blood pressure in the portal vein (usually,the large vein that brings blood from the intestine to the liver) and its branches.Portal hypertension usually results from cirrhosis.

Ascites is caused by a combination of elevated pressure in the veins running through the liver which is the portal hypertension and a decrease in liver function caused by scarring of the liver in cirrhosis.ie, Scarring increases pressure inside the liver's blood vessels and this increased pressure can force fluid into the abdominal cavity leading to ascites.

Ascites can lead to abdominal infections whichmay cause kidney failure and it can also cause umbilical or inguinal hernias. As the fluid gets collected ,it can also affect the lungs.

Hope this helps you.Thank you ?