Portal
Hypertension Symptoms
Some portal hypertension symptoms can be identified to help diagnose
the condition. Portal
hypertension is high blood pressure in the portal vein.
The portal vein
is a major vein in the abdomen which drains blood from the spleen and
gastrointestinal system into the liver. The main cause of this kind of
hypertension is cirrhosis, which causes a blockage of blood flow
throughout the liver. This blockage causes increased pressure in the
portal vein.
Other causes of portal hypertension are: hepatitis,
thrombosis and injury to the liver, which results in scarring. Clots
and
scar tissue from these conditions can result in the blockage of blood
flow in the liver. As a result of this blockage and resulting
portal high blood pressure, veins develop across the stomach and the
esophagus.
These are called varices, they are weaker than the normal veins and
hemorrhage easily. Gastrointestinal bleeding, as evidenced by
vomiting of blood is a common symptom of
portal hypertension because of the hemorrhaged varices.
Ascites is a
serious symptom of portal vein hypertension. This is a fluid that
accumulates in the abdomen as a result of the high pressure in
the portal vein. Hepatic encephalopathy with
resulting confusion
is a another symptom caused by the impaired liver function.
Portal hypertension symptoms
also
include a decreased white blood
cell count.
It can lead to infection and a decreased platelet count which
makes
it harder for clots to form to slow gastrointestinal bleeding.
Treatment
will not cure or reverse the majority of portal hypertension cases.
Instead, emphasis is put upon managing the serious symptoms and trying
to prevent complications. Successful treatment depends upon how well
the liver is functioning and how severe thesymptoms are. Endoscopic
therapy is the treatment of choice for bleeding varices. This involves
tying off vessels with rubber bands to stop bleeding or injecting a
solution into the varices that cause the formation of a scar which
blocks
the bleeding. Prescription medications are also sometimes used, they
lower pressure in the veins and varices to reduce the chance of rupture.
Some
cases of portal hypertension are treated by inserting shunts into the
liver. These shunts are small tubes which connect veins together to
create another pathway for blood in order to reduce pressure in the
veins. A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt connects the
portal vein with the hepatic vein. The distal splenorenal shunt
connects the vein in the spleen to a vein in the kidney.
As a
last resort, a liver transplant may be considered for
patients
who are
otherwise healthy. A new liver without blockages will allow for the
proper blood flow throughout the liver and associated veins thereby
reducing pressure in the portal veins and alleviating portal
hypertension symptoms.
Lifestyle changes may be necessary to
manage portal hypertension
symptoms. These should focus in improving
the overall health of the liver through proper nutrition and
healthy
habits. Including eliminating alcohol consumption, eating a low
salt diet and being cautious about taking over the counter or
prescription drugs which place a burden on the liver.
Healthy
lifestyle changes can also help to prevent portal hypertension in many
people. The main cause of a damaged liver is due to alcoholism,
drug abuse or hepatitis. Portal hypertension symptoms can be life
threatening and no
cure is possible unless the liver can be healed and normal blood flow
is restored to lower the pressure on the veins.
Top
Return
to Portal High Blood Pressure
Back
from Portal Hypertension Symptoms to How to Lower Blood Pressure Fast
