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Edema and ascites
The liver synthesizes and works with thousands of substances in the blood. It is a significant source of a protein in the blood known as albumin. This protein is essential to maintain liquids in the blood vessels and not in-between the cells. When liver function is altered by hepatitis C, the production of albumin is compromised. Having low levels of albumin in the blood leads to the leakage of liquid into the interstitial fluid, and that is what we know as edema.
We can find different types of edema in hepatitis C, depending on the severity of the problem. It starts developing in the lower extremities, especially in the area of the ankle. As the disease progresses, edema may also develop in the abdominal cavity, filling it with liquids. This is known as ascites, and it is sometimes severe enough to cause a round belly and a significant weight gain.
