Portal hypertension is one of the complications of liver cirrhosis . It occurs when the pressure in the portal vein increases and as a result of this, the blood flow on any part of it is obstructed. Expanded veins are very easily broken, and this leads to bleeding.
Symptoms of hepatic portal hypertension
Portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis is manifested by symptoms such as:
- bloating and enlarged abdomen;
- black feces and black vomiting;
- painful sensations (as a rule, they are localized in the area of the upper part of the stomach);
- loss of appetite or total loss;
- yellow shade of skin.
Virtually all patients significantly expand the subcutaneous veins that are in the anterior wall of the peritoneum. Venous trunks move away from the navel, therefore such a sign is called "the head of a jellyfish".
Treatment of hepatic portal hypertension
Treatment of portal hypertension with cirrhosis should start with dietotherapy. First of all, you should reduce the amount of salt used to reduce fluid stagnation in the body. Also need to reduce the amount of protein consumed. This will avoid the occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy .
Treatment of usual or mixed cirrhosis of the liver with signs of portal hypertension should be carried out only in a hospital with subsequent outpatient supervision. Apply for this drug:
- hormones of the pituitary gland;
- beta-blockers;
- synthetic somatostatin analogues;
- diuretics.
If blood loss was strong, intravenously injected erythromass, plasma or plasma substitutes. In the presence of ascites (free fluid in the abdominal cavity), the patient is shown a surgical operation. Usually it is performed by shunting. It is necessary in order to create another, additional way for blood flow from the damaged vein. If it is impossible to restore normal activity, the liver is transplanted to the patients.