Tag: Ascites causes

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, conditions like low protein levels and severe malnutrition can be a cause of ascites. This confirms that a lack of protein can, indeed, cause ascites, but understanding the underlying physiological process is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

Chylous ascites, characterized by milky, triglyceride-rich peritoneal fluid, is a rare condition with an estimated incidence of only 1 in 20,000 hospital admissions. This unusual fluid buildup, also called chyloperitoneum, indicates an underlying disruption of the body's lymphatic system. The presence of high triglycerides is the key diagnostic indicator for this condition.

While ascites is most commonly associated with advanced liver disease, a 2014 case study revealed a rare instance where vitamin B12 deficiency was the primary driver. This highlights a complex relationship where severe nutritional deficiencies can potentially contribute to or exacerbate conditions leading to fluid accumulation in the abdomen.

According to the American Liver Foundation, ascites is present in about 60% of people with cirrhosis within 10 years of diagnosis. This fluid accumulation is often a direct consequence of hypoalbuminemia, the medical term for low blood protein, which explains how does low protein lead to ascites.