Posts Tagged ‘albumin’

What Is Ascites?

What is ascites? Ascites is the accumulation of fluid (usually serous fluid which is a pale yellow and clear fluid) that accumulates in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. The abdominal cavity is located below the chest cavity, separated from it by the diaphragm. Ascitic fluid can have many sources such as liver disease, cancers, congestive heart…

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What is Albumin?

What is Albumin? Albumin is a protein manufactured by the liver. What does albumin do? Albumin performs many functions including maintaining the “osmotic pressure” that causes fluid to remain within the blood stream instead of leaking out into the tissues. What causes albumin to be low? Liver disease, kidney disease, and malnutrition are the major…

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Exams and Tests

Exams and Tests Cirrhosis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when inflammation and scarring damage the liver. A physical examination and medical history will be done first to assess symptoms of liver disease, to see whether liver disease is severe enough to cause signs of cirrhosis, and to help determine possible causes of liver…

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