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When the blood pressure in the portal vein, carrying blood from the intestines to the liver, increases more than 10 mm Hg, it is called portal hypertension
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It can increase due to liver cirrhosis, Wilson’s Disease, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Inflammation of the heart muscle can also cause this
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Other causes include inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and congestive cardiac failure, as well as portal pyaemia (infection and thrombosis of portal vein)
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You may observe yellowish discolouration of the skin and the mucous membrane, which refers to jaundice. Anaemia may be present alongside
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An enlarged spleen, the organ on the left side of the abdomen, which is also called the graveyard of red blood cells, is commonly seen
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Generalised symptoms like weakness, tiredness, and anorexia can be observed in people with portal hypertension, along with abdominal pain
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If the portal varices start to bleed, they can lead to blood in the vomit, blackish coloured stools, and features of shock, which require immediate medical attention
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Portal hypertension can also affect brain functioning and cause loss of memory, altered mental status, and episodes of unconsciousness
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Fluid collection can also occur in such cases. Excess fluid in the abdominal cavity is called ascites, which is one of the classic findings in this condition
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After necessary investigations like haemoglobin levels, liver function tests, CT scan and MRI, treatment of all the above symptoms is required