Portal hypertension is increased pressure in the venous system that carries blood from the abdominal organs to the liver, which can lead to complications such as esophageal varicose veins, bleeding, enlarged spleen and ascites, which consists of abdominal swelling.
This type of hypertension usually occurs when liver injury or disease already exists, such as cirrhosis or schistosomiasis, for example, and is therefore more common in liver patients.
- To reduce pressure in the liver vessels.
- It is necessary to treat and try to cure the liver problem.
- However.
- If this is not possible.
- The doctor may prescribe medications to try to regulate the pressure and.
- In the most severe cases.
- May even advise surgery.
- For example.
It is not always possible to identify symptoms in a case of portal hypertension, however, people who have liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis have a high risk of developing this disease.
In cases where it is possible to identify any signs of portal hypertension, the most common symptoms include:
In the most severe cases, mental confusion and even fainting can occur, caused by the arrival of toxins into the brain. But this complication can occur in all cases of severe liver disease, because the organ can no longer filter blood properly and does not need to be linked solely to portal hypertension.
It is also common for people with portal hypertension to get jaundice, that is, when the skin and eyes turn yellow, but this sign appears to be a sequel to liver disease.
In most cases, the hepatologist can identify a case of high blood pressure when the person has a history of liver disease and symptoms such as a swollen stomach, dilated veins, and hemorrhoids, for example.
However, several laboratory tests, such as endoscopy, ultrasound, or blood tests, may also be needed to confirm the diagnosis, especially when there are no obvious symptoms of portal hypertension.
Portal hypertension occurs when there is an obstacle to blood flow in the veins of the liver. For this reason, the most common cause is cirrhosis, a condition in which scarring of liver tissue appears, which makes it difficult not only to function the organ, but also to circulate the blood.
However, there are other, less common causes, such as
In addition, heart changes that interfere with normal blood flow after the liver can also cause high blood pressure. In these cases, the most common problems are right heart failure, constrictive pericarditis, or Budd-Chiari syndrome.
Most cases of portal hypertension are incurable, as it is also not possible to cure the underlying disease. However, it is possible to control symptoms and prevent the onset of complications. To do this, the main types of treatment used are:
In addition, saline restriction and the use of diuretics, such as furosemide, are recommended to control ascites and prevent kidney complications.
It is also important that the person with portal hypertension receives daily care to control liver disease and prevent worsening of hypertension and other complications. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages and rely on a low-fat diet. Learn more about treating liver disease.