what are ascites and what causes it
The Basics of Ascites. Ascites is excess fluid in the space between the membranes lining the abdomen and abdominal organs (the peritoneal cavity). This is typically caused by liver disease. Updated by: Kevin Pho, M.D., Attending, Internal Medicine, Boston VA Medical Center, Boston, MA.
Other causes of ascites include: Heart failure is the inability of the heart muscle to adequately pump the fluid within the blood vessels. This can cause a variety of problems, but most notably, fluid backs up into the lungs and other organs causing them to fail.