It’s acomplication of hepatitisand liver cirrhosis, and it can cause swelling, bleeding, and more.
This is portal hypertension, and it leads to many consequences that have widespread effects throughout the body.
Causes of Portal Hypertension
Liver cirrhosisis the most common cause of portal hypertension.
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Liver cirrhosis is also described as liver fibrosis, a key in of scaring.
These disease processes may interfere with the passage of blood through the liver.
Acites
Ascitesis the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues lining the organs and the abdominal wall.
This occurs due to pressure and leaking of the lymphatic vessels.
Varices are directly because of portal hypertension.
The intersections of these two systems are small, fragile blood vessels called capillaries.
These vessels are not able to withstand the increased blood pressure and become engorged or dilated.
These vessels are fragile and at risk for bleeding.
Severe portal hypertension can impair these functions.
Hepatic encephalopathyis a condition that causes behavioral problems and memory deficits as a result of liver failure.
And liver failure due to portal hypertension can cause bleeding susceptibility due to the deficiency of adequate clotting factors.
Anyone with advanced cirrhosis will be monitored closely for signs of portal hypertension.
You may also needliver function teststo assess your liver function.
Sometimes varices can be seen along the surface of the esophagus or stomach during anendoscopy procedure.
Treatment often depends on the effects that you are experiencing.
And interventions to reduce the risk of bleeding and progression of portal hypertension might be needed as well.
Some treatment options include:
Sometimes aliver transplantis considered as a possible treatment.
