The doctor may prescribe “water pills” or diuretics to help flush the extra fluid from your body.

Two of the most common diuretics are:

They both help your kidneys remove more sodium and water. Suppose changes in your diet and prescription diuretics don’t help, or your symptoms are severe. In that case, your doctor may have to use paracentesis to remove large amounts of excess fluid through a needle inserted into your belly. When you have this done, you have to follow a low-salt, low-liquid diet. Otherwise, the fluid will come back. If these treatments don’t work, you may need surgery to place a shunt in your liver or replace it altogether.