When the patient has a small amount of ascites [300 ~ 500ml], there is no obvious discomfort and it is not easy to be detected. When there is moderate ascites (500 ~ 3000 ml), the patient feels abdominal distension, showing a bloated abdominal type, and may have mobile dullness during physical examination; When there is a large amount of ascites (more than 3000mL), it can be manifested as dyspnea and edema of lower limbs. Ascites caused by different diseases often show different accompanying symptoms, such as fever, jaundice, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, heart failure and other symptoms and signs.

Ascites caused by heart disease can be seen as pericyanotic edema, jugular vein dilatation, heart enlargement, precordial tremor, hepatosplenomegaly, arrhythmia, heart valve murmur and other signs. Liver diseases often have dull or sallow complexion, yellow skin and sclera, spider nevus on face, neck or chest, varicose veins of liver, palm and abdominal wall, and hepatosplenomegaly. Ascites caused by kidney diseases may have signs such as pallor and peripheral edema. Flushing, fever, abdominal tenderness and elastic abdominal wall can be considered as tuberculous peritonitis. Most patients with emaciation, cachexia lymphadenopathy or abdominal mass are malignant tumors.