Abdominal distension
It is often referred to as abdominal swelling and often confused with abdominal fullness or bloating. In any case, abdominal distension in ascites increases abdominal circumference, similar to what happens when the patient gains weight. It is often associated with discomfort and sometimes pain. If the patient has a small umbilical or inguinal hernia, they will start giving problems in severe cases. Abdominal distension can be relatively mild, moderate, or severe. In very severe cases, the patient may even develop dyspnea (difficulty breathing) because the abdominal pressure pushes away the diaphragm and the lungs, preventing them from expanding naturally.
