Ascites is a condition that is caused by severe liver disease. It causes excess fluid to build up in the abdomen, making your belly swell and stick out.

Symptoms of ascites include a full feeling, a ballooning stomach and rapid weight gain. Ascites is often a sign of liver failure, symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, swelling in the legs, indigestion, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite and a fever.

Ascites happens when pressure builds up in the veins of your liver and it doesn’t work as it should. Pressure blocks the flow in the liver and keeps the kidneys from removing excess salt from your body, which causes fluid to build up.

Your doctor may prescribe “water pills” also called diuretics to help your kidneys get more salt out of your body. If this doesn’t work, your doctor may have to take excess fluid out of your belly with a needle. Failing this, you may eventually need a liver transplant.